It’s the Oak Park story in microcosm.
That is, what will Oak Park’s future be, concentrated into this single question.
On one hand is the drive to develop Oak Park, to transform a suburb into an urb.
In this latest example of growth a developer is seeking to build a high-rise at the northwest corner of Lake Street and Forest Avenue.
The building would have first-floor retail space and residences and parking above. The proposed building would be across the street from the 21-story Vantage Oak Park development.
In the shadow of these canyon-creating structures lies Austin Gardens.
Austin Gardens, 167 Forest Ave., is owned by the Park District of Oak Park. Austin Gardens is home to 284 trees in its 3.64 acres. It is an oasis of serenity amid the bustle of downtown Oak Park. It is a jewel in Oak Park’s crown. Strolling amid its trees and flowers, or relaxing on one of the garden’s benches it is easy to understand and feel the “park” part of Oak Park’s name.
Park district officials are expressing concern that another nearby high-rise could damage Austin Gardens’ trees and flowers.
The proposed high-rise together with the Vantage Oak Park development could starve the trees and flowers of the sunlight they need to live.
“Currently, the new Vantage building casts a shadow on the park, especially in the morning hours, blocking the morning sun,” Diane Stanke, a park district spokesman said.
Depending on the height of the proposed Lake-Forest development, what would the impact be on Austin Gardens?
Are Austin Gardens, and other quiet, natural, nonurban spaces in Oak Park the price of development?
Or, can progress and tradition co-exist?
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And, what is progress anyway?
Is progress what improves the quality of life for people who already live in Oak Park?
Or, is progress adding to the population?
I don’t have an answer. But answer there will be. These questions will be decided by developers and Oak Park’s elected officials.
But, no definition of progress should include the harming of Austin Gardens.
No development is worth that kind of vandalism.
Paul Sassone is a freelance columnist for Pioneer Press.