The City of Galesburg has received a $2 million state grant to update and improve Standish Park, a one-block park and arboretum in downtown Galesburg.
The city is partnering with Knox College on the project, which is intended to preserve and enhance the arboretum while adding amenities that make the park a more active downtown gathering space.
Preliminary plans include an outdoor performance stage, bocce ball and cornhole courts, public seating, illuminated walkways, visible crosswalks and infrastructure to support food trucks and weekend events.
Standish Park, founded in 1873, is located near City Hall, the Knox County Courthouse, Knox College’s Old Main and Alumni Hall. The park is named for John Van Ness Standish, a longtime Galesburg resident, Lombard College professor, Knox College benefactor and horticulture specialist.
City officials said the city has already begun proactive care in the park, including removing compromised trees and trimming branches to raise the tree canopy. The work is intended to improve the health of the arboretum, increase sunlight and air circulation, and reopen views of the historic buildings surrounding the park.
The grant funding was secured with support from state lawmakers, including Sen. Mike Halpin. The city will next work with landscape and engineering firms, gather community input, and finalize project designs.
