A new amphitheater and playground are planned for Mike Rylko Park in Buffalo Grove and the village has agreed to help pay for it.
Village trustees approved plans to commit $600,000 in village funds to ensure a permanent, covered pavilion is added to the park, located at 951 McHenry Road. An intergovernmental agreement was established between the village and the Park District to allow the village to retain the use of the property for “Buffalo Grove Days” and five additional events, along with the naming rights for the facility.
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Mike Skibbe, deputy village manager, said this will eliminate the need for tent rental for musical performances during Buffalo Grove Days and also allow for pathway improvements that will enhance Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility throughout the area.
“This is a very exciting project, making Mike Rylko Park the community park of Buffalo Grove,” said Village Manager Dane Bragg, explaining that the planning has been five years in the making. “I’m elated to see the village is partnering with the Park District to make this happen and we’ll have this fantastic new event space. This is a prime example of everyone working together toward a common goal.”
According to Skibbe, the Park District does not plan to raise taxes to fund the $3.18 million facility improvements at the park but instead secured a $3 million Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Development grant – with help from state Sen. Adriane Johnson – along with $250,000 in state funding secured with the help of state Rep. Daniel Didech. Both Democratic legislators represent the village.
The agreement was approved on a 4-0 vote at the Feb. 21 Village Board meeting.
In a separate vote, trustees also approved a variation to the zoning code to allow accessory structures on four acres of the property of the park to exceed the 15-foot height limit. This will allow for the construction of the amphitheater and covered event space as well as the relocation and structures within the Spray ‘N Play facility.
Park District Executive Director Ryan Risinger presented plans to the board and explained that the seating area directly in front of the amphitheater stage will accommodate approximately 155 people while the lawn could potentially seat 3,000-plus people. Just beyond the lawn seating area will be a completely covered event space with 255 seats. A new ticketing and concessions space is also planned.
The Spray ‘N Play splash pad will be expanded to almost twice its current capacity and will provide different types of accessible water features for a wider age range, according to plans. The existing playground will be relocated and a new playground with features for children of all ages and abilities will be constructed to the north of the Spray ‘N Play facility.
Trustee David Weidenfeld commended the Park District on its accessibility plans throughout the site.
Also at the board meeting, police Chief Brian Budds delivered the oath of office to new Deputy Chief Brian Spolar.
Budds also joined Buffalo Grove Rotary Club President Lisa Siwek in presenting the 2022 “Police Officer of the Year Award” to Sergeant Jaime Verduzco. As a homicide investigator, Verduzco worked to solve the village’s most complex homicides and also worked with fellow officers in the aftermath of the July 4 mass shooting in Highland Park, officials explained.
The Rotary Club will donate $250 to the Rotary Foundation in his name and an additional $250 to the charity of his choice.
Officer Dawid Wojs was also presented a special commendation award and was recognized as a passionate, hard-working police officer who had 800 contacts with traffic violators in 2022, making him the leader in arrests and driving under the influence arrests. He was also recognized for his dedication in covering fellow officers’ shifts.
Elizabeth Owens-Schiele is a freelancer.