Willow Island Arts Park

With encouragement and participation from the Village, GRH has taken the lead in exploring the possibilities for developing a combined Willow Island Arts Park. So far, those discussions have included consultations with landscape architects, park developers, and experts on outdoor arts spaces from around the region. They have also included a design charrette: a brainstorming session in which stakeholders representing a wide range of interests gathered to generate ideas. Among those ideas are a performance space for musical and theatrical events, additional works of sculpture, art installations that are interactive with the river, decorative landscaping and gardens, natural play space for children, and opportunities for spontaneous creativity on site (think snow sculptures in winter). Public conveniences and infrastructural needs are also under review.

It is our aim to have a master plan developed by mid-2019 that can focus all these energies and attract significant grant support. Opportunities for still wider public participation in this planning will be a crucial part of the process.