Public Spaces and Parks
Resolutions establishing committees, approving master plans, and governing improvements to village parks and public spaces including the Richard M. Abrahams Memorial Park.
Synthesis written as-of 2026-07-31. A time-bounded clause in this rule expires on 2027-04-05
In force, by year of last update
2026this year
Public Spaces Committee Current Membership
The Village Board approved the following mayoral appointments to the Public Spaces Committee, each for a two-year term ending April 3, 2028: Perry Allen (Committee Chair, one-year term, and Board Liaison), Ash Bradley-Rickard, Betsy Brauer, Linda DiGasper, Camille Norvell, David Pearson, David Sokol, and Karen Smythe (Mayor).[4]
2025
Public Spaces Committee Establishment
The Village Board of Trustees created the Public Spaces Committee by Resolution #27-2025, effective July 14, 2025, to advise on enhancing and preserving public green space, including the Richard M. Abrahams Memorial Park. The Committee is charged with advising on local laws promoting pollinators and native plants, recommending how to proceed with the Pollinator Pathway project, and recommending ways to incorporate art into public spaces.[1]
Public Spaces Committee Appointment Authority
Committee members and the Committee Chair are appointed by the mayor and approved by the Board. A Board member, appointed by the mayor, serves as liaison to the Board and is responsible for reporting on the Committee's actions.[1]
Public Spaces Committee Membership Requirements
The Committee must be comprised of a majority of Village residents. There shall be a minimum of 3 members and a maximum of 10 members. Volunteers are welcome to attend and assist at any time under the direction of the Chair.[1]
Public Spaces Committee Member Term Length
Committee members serve two (2) year terms.[1]
Public Spaces Committee Meeting Requirements
The Committee shall be open to the public when a quorum is present, and agendas and minutes of all meetings shall be kept and filed with the Village Clerk. A meeting schedule shall be established by the Chair, and all meetings shall be posted at least one week in advance on the Village website. A virtual option shall be made available unless the meeting is held outside.[1]
Abrahams Park Tree and Bench Installation Moratorium
The Village Board restricts any new installations of trees and benches in the Richard M. Abrahams Memorial Park until the completion of its Master Plan. This restriction was adopted to avoid potential conflicts with design considerations under the forthcoming Master Plan and the need to relocate installations.[3]
History · superseded or expired
2025
Public Spaces Committee Initial Member Appointments (2025)
Superseded by footnote 4 (Resolution #25-2026). The Board originally approved mayoral appointments of Ash Bradley-Rickard (Chair), Betsy Brauer, David Sokol, Linda DiGasper, and Barbara Westermann, with terms ending April 5, 2027. These appointments were made for less than two years to align future term endings with other committees.[2]
Source resolutions
- [1]2025-07-14Resolution to Establish the Public Spaces Committee
- [2]2025-08-11RESOLUTION TO APPOINT PUBLIC SPACES COMMITTEE MEMBERS
- [3]2025-10-06RESOLUTION TO TEMPORARILY HALT INSTALLATIONS OF TREES AND BENCHES IN THE RICHARD M. ABRAHAMS MEMORIAL PARK
- [4]2026-05-26RESOLUTION TO CONFIRM MEMBERS TO THE PUBLIC SPACES COMMITTEE
Synthesized from the chronological history of these resolutions. Each clause shows the year it was last established or amended. The text is a reading aid — for legal force, consult the source resolutions and the Village Code.