Hillmoor Commission members propose options for Zone 1
Members of the Lake Geneva Hillmoor Commission used their phones to select options for Zone 1 of the property during a meeting with representatives from Upland Design Ltd. of Plainfield, Illinois, on Dec. 3.
The City Council unanimously approved a contract Nov. 10 to develop a concept plan for the 32 acres near Eastview Elementary School and Dunn Field Park on Sage Street at a cost of about $50,000.
During the meeting, Upland Design officials asked the commission members to scan a QR code on their phones to obtain a link that would allow them to answer questions.
The first question involved submitting a word for how they want people to feel about Zone 1 after it is developed.
Member Lowell Thompson said he submitted “quality,” because he considers Zone 1 as the gateway to the property.
“We want people to think we put a lot of energy, time and thought into it, and that it is purposeful,” Thompson said. “They can go there and everything makes sense and it’s unified.”
Alderwoman Cindy Yager, who also is a commission member, said she submitted “welcoming,” because she wants the zone to be an area that people want to visit.
“It’s got to be that place where you go, ‘I just want to go there. This looks fabulous,’” she said.
Hillmoor Commission members, from left, Lowell Thompson, Michael Krajovic and Kenneth Etten review the “challenges” and “opportunities” that other commission members posted for Zone 1.
Opportunities and challenges
The commission members were then asked to write down what they feel are the “opportunities” and “challenges” for Zone 1 and then place their answers on two large maps.
Representatives from Upland Design Ltd. gave Hillmoor Commission members a chance to place what they feel are the "challenges" and "opportunities" for Zone 1 of the Hillmoor property on two large maps.
Some of the challenges that were presented include “creating involvement from the whole community” and “ease of access.” Some of the opportunities included “close proximity to the downtown” and “beautifying with new plants and new colors.”
Selecting amenities
Upland Design officials later showed six photos of the amenities that have been proposed for Zone 1 and asked the commission members to use their phones to select the images they felt would best fit the area.
The amenities include an amphitheater, playground area, splash pad, pavilions, nature trails and native plants.
Amphitheater
Mayor Todd Krause said he would like to construct a large amphitheater that features a bandshell.
Lake Geneva Parks Director David Winger, left, and Mayor Todd Krause prepare to post what they feel are the “opportunities” and “challenges” for Zone 1 of the Hillmoor property on large maps during the Dec. 3 Hillmoor Commission meeting.
“My vision, if we were to do an amphitheater, would be to do a fairly large one, but I would like it be ‘acoustical,’” Krause said. “I would like to see it facing into the Hillmoor property, so the acoustics stay within the property and not into the neighborhoods.”
Michael Krajovic, commission consultant, agreed.
“I think that’s one thing Lake Geneva is missing, a quality amphitheater with good acoustics,” Krajovic said.
Commission member Kenneth Etten said he would like to have a “formal pavilion” that could accommodate both large performances and small groups.
Playground area
Commission member Larry Happ said he would like to have a playground that features towers and slides.
“I like a tower. It’s a little scary, it’s high,” Happ said. “Going down those slides would be a little scary. Parks should challenge kids a little bit.”
Commission member Mark Davids proposed that the playground feature some elements related to Dungeons & Dragons, because the roleplaying gaming was founded in Lake Geneva.
Thompson proposed gaming tables and elements related to the Beast of Bray Road and other Lake Geneva-area legends.
“The idea of trolls or something authentic to Lake Geneva and this region would be interesting,” Thompson said.
Splash pad
Several of the commission members indicated that they would like to incorporate a splash pad that would be in the shape of Geneva Lake.
“That would bring a really cool level of uniqueness to it and if it was done right, you could do a history theme,” Krause said. “You could have the cities identified on there and the features identified on there. It could be something really unique.”
Some commission members asked if the splash pad could serve as a skating rink during the winter.
“Certainly, I think we would looking into that. You could have lights that come up through the ice,” Krause said. “Talk about a destination for someone to go to. That would be really cool.”
However, Michelle Kelly, founding principal for Upland Design, said there could be some challenges with converting a splash pad into a skating rank.
“You have above-ground elements, and people could run into them,” she said. “You would have to have a splash pad that doesn’t have anything and some cover over it. So, I think the dual use with the splash pad might be a little bit challenging.”
Members also discussed options for greenspace areas, pavilions, seating areas and planting areas.
Next steps
Upland Design representatives are set to present preliminary conceptual plans for Zone 1 to the the commission Jan. 22.
Public input meetings scheduled for 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 5, and 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Feb. 7, in the police training room at City Hall, 626 Geneva St.
The final master plan for Zone 1 is scheduled to be presented to commission members March 5 and to the City Council on March 9.
Related
Goats have arrived and are grazing some grass at the former Hillmoor Golf Course property.
