Niles Park To Get Commemorative Garden; Playground Will Stay

Since 1954, many men and women have served the Niles Park District as commissioners, and the district wants to honor them.

During the park board meeting last week, the current board of commissioners looked at two designs for what they are calling a commemorative garden.

It would be located at Pointe Park, which is a narrow, triangular-shaped park wedged in where Shermer Road and Waukegan Road merge in Niles, about three blocks north of Oakton Street.

Both designs involve some brickwork and plantings; one has an elevation in the form of a brick wall.

The playground at the park would remain, said Joe LoVerde, executive director of the park district. 

"We will honor all the commissioners who have served since 1954, including those who have passed away," LoVerde said.

He did not have a budget for the project, saying he wants to see how much the park district can accomplish with its own employees doing the work.

LoVerde said he's waiting for the commissioners to decide which of the two designs for the commemorative garden they like, and when they do, work can begin.

"It's my hope we can do it within a year," he said.

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