The Village of Antioch welcomed its newest addition to the historic downtown area on Saturday, with a grand opening ceremony for Sequoit Creek Park. The once-blighted 4.5-acre parcel drew an estimated crowd of 1,000 people to walk the paths lining the waterway and check out the amenities.
A splash pad, a fully accessible ADA playground, firepits, a concession area with restrooms, a public performance pavilion, outcroppings, and walkways all focus on the restored creek. The parcel was once home to the Pittman Pontiac Motors dealership in the 1970s, a flat landscape that gave way to covering the creek with piping and asphalt. “I couldn’t be more proud to .
.. celebrate one of the most significant accomplishments in our village’s history,” said Mayor Scott Gartner.
“This park is a true gem, it has been transformed into a beautiful space that reflects the natural beauty of our community.” Sequoit Creek Park’s landscaping follows the waterway southeast and is viewed from the intersection of Main and Orchard streets. (Village of Antioch) The Village purchased the property for $110,000 in 2020, after an online survey identified that residents wanted an open space for recreation in the downtown area.
Village officials held a groundbreaking ceremony in July 2023, next to an exposed culvert where the creek had collapsed. Remedial efforts on environmental issues were factored into the equation. Corrective work at the site entailed re-routing the hanging electric power lines, and effluent water piping, along with removing the corrugated piping that covered the creek and the eroded soil surrounding it.
In “daylighting” the creek and reinforcing its path, the water can flow to the surface for native plant vegetation to improve downstream quality. The park was a goal seven years ago and aided by former mayor Larry Hanson. “Thankfully, this Village Board is fulfilling the dream,” he said, at the groundbreaking.
The Village selected Waukegan-based Boller Construction in May 2023 to complete the work on the design and engineering plans. The project was tabbed at $12.7 million and included several funding elements.
The piping around Sequoit Creek was deteriorated, causing the surrounding culvert to collapse. Remedial work entailed removing the collapsed piping and dirt for the creek’ restoration as a main park component. (Gregory Harutunian for the Lake County News-Sun) Grant monies came partly through the American Recovery Plan Act for $1.
9 million, and Lake County Stormwater Management contributed $2.75 million to the project targeting flood mitigation and water retention. The remaining cost is being paid with alternate source general obligation bonds, reimbursed by business district sales tax revenues.
The park is bordered by Main, Depot, and Orchard streets and adjacent to the William E. Brook Memorial Wetland, where the creek widens and continues southeast. “There are many words to describe the park, from blight to beautiful, and Sequoit Creek is the most appropriate name for the park, and the reason Antioch is here,” said Ainsley Wonderling, the Lakes Region Historical Society director.
“Hiram Buttrick, and the Gage brothers, traveling from New England, built his sawmill on the creek’s course upstream,” she said. “There is something for everyone at the park, and its use will be a legacy to forward-thinking people, who have worked long and hard to see its completion,” she said. “It’s a magical place!” Sequoit Creek Park in downtown Antioch opened to the public on Saturday.
A performance pavilion is just one of the amenities offered, along the walking paths. (Village of Antioch) Garner noted, “From the greenery to the thoughtfully designed spaces, Sequoit Creek Park is a place where nature, community, and modern amenities come together perfectly. It was envisioned as the centerpiece of our community for the next hundred years.
..a place to gather, meet friends, welcome visitors, and take pride in our village.
”.
