Shaping the Future of Oak Park Parks

Pleasant Home Pavilion
In late 2006 Pleasant Home Executive Director Laura Thompson first brought the idea of the feasibility for a semi –permanent auxiliary tent structure at Pleasant Home to the attention of the Park District.  In March of 2007 the idea was further outlined and discussions began as to the need for such a facility and the appropriateness of the type of structure adjacent to Pleasant Home at Mills Park.

In fall 2008 a planning process was completed to develop a site master plan for Mills Park. Four community meetings were held, as part of this project, to gather public input regarding the current and future use of Mills Park. At the first community meeting on Wednesday, September 17, 2008 one of the many topics discussed was the installation of a pavilion, by the Pleasant Home Foundation, directly west of Pleasant Home. Throughout the four community meetings the pavilion concept was reviewed along with other possible improvements. Input was also collected through questionnaires.

The Park Board accepted the Mills Park Site Plan at the Regular Park Board Meeting on Thursday, December 18, 2008 at 7:30pm at the Hedges Administrative Center, 218 Madison. Included in the plan was a location for a pavilion pending a future proposal describing the feasibility of such a facility from the Pleasant Home Foundation being submitted to, reviewed and considered for acceptance by the Park Board.

A proposal from the Pleasant Home Foundation for the assembly of a pavilion was presented to the Park Board at the Committee of the Whole Meeting on June 4, 2009. At the June 18, 2009 Park Board Meeting the Park Board of Commissioners preliminarily approved the installation and maintenance of a tent pavilion at Pleasant Home. However the pavilion proposal will be continued to the Board’s meeting on July 16 to provide time for further Board consideration of, and public review and comment on, the pavilion proposal.

The Board discussed the pavilion at the Committee of the Whole Meeting on Thursday, July 2 at 7:30pm at the Oak Park Conservatory. There was no public comment accepted at this meeting. At the July 16, 2009 Regular Park Board Meeting, to be held at 7:30pm at the Hedges Adminstrative Center, 218 Madison, the Park Board will consider authorizing the preparation of a request for proposals for the pavilion project. Public comment is welcome at this meeting. Other certificates of appropriateness and permits will be required from other governing and advisory bodies regarding the installation of the pavilion.

Proposal for Pavilion - Auxiliary Event Space Prepared by the Pleasant Home Foundation

Pavilion Draft Plan Drawing

Pavilion Elevations Draft Plan

Pavilion FAQs