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Where is the park located?
The Friends of the Hedberg Public Library (HPL) and the Janesville Noon Lions are developing the city parkland along the Rock River between the library and Marshall Apartments, where the Janesville Performing Arts Center (JPAC) is housed.
Why is another park needed and why this location?
The site is ideal for assisting in downtown revitalization and for taking advantage of the riverfront. The park is consistant with the City of Janesville Riverfront Stratigic Plan, which recommended improvements to the aesthetics of open spaces in the downtown. The land links two cultural destinations, the library and JPAC. This site also extends the library into the outdoors via space for programming, a storytelling tree and artwork that celebrates children's books and reading. A reading theme has been chosen, making this park concept a natural for its location and also unique to the community.
Janesville already has many parks. Who will use this one and who will maintain it?
The park will be for people of all ages and offer a unique enviroment for neighborhood children and families, library users, downtown workers, river pathway walkers and bikers, city visitors and JPAC audiences. Although the city will take responsibility for basic ongoing maintenance, both the Lions and the Friends are assisting with park upkeep.
Who is developing the the park?
Early in 1999 the Friends of Hedberg Public Library and the Janesville
Noon Lions Club recognized the unique opportunity to develop the
greenspace between Marshall Apartments and the library to create a
special city-center park. The two groups got together, and with
assistance from Forward Janesville’s Downtown Council, hired JJR
Associates in Madison to develop a concept plan for the combined space
of 3.5 acres. These groups believe this project will enhance the
physical appearance of both downtown and the riverfront and initiate
activity along the river. At the June 25, 2001 City Council meeting,
approval was given to develop this greenspace into a park wit
h the understanding that the eastern portion of the park would be
designed after the fate of the Marshall auditorium and associated
parking lot is known. The Council also approved, on the City Manager’s
recommendation, having the Engineering Department do the basic design
work and oversee construction. The Lions and Friends have committed to
raising all the funds necessary to construct the park. Site work began
in Fall 2002.
What will the park offer the community?
Special features of the park include a river overlook and river walk, a
large specimen tree around which storyhours and other library programs
for children can be held, artwork related to children’s books and
reading, a large fountain, and reading-related walkway designs. The
basic elements of the park include trees, shrubs, other plantings,
walkways, lighting, benches, and a drinking fountain.
A component of this proposed park is to showcase reading and favorite
children’s books, and to do so largely through art. A focus on eyesight
and vision, a priority for the Lions Club, is also being pursued. In order to encourage creativity and
generate as many options as possible, a request for proposal (RFP) was
sent to over 160 artists, and a small number were chosen to flesh out
their ideas. Artists chosen are Richard Taylor, Gail Simpson, and
Aristotle Georgiades.
How much will it cost?
Final park cost is estimated to be $700,000. Once the basic park is
developed, enhancements can be made over several years. The Friends of
HPL and Lions Club are donating more than $100,000 during the course of
the project and are taking responsibility for raising the remaining
amount. An account has been established with the Community Foundation of
Southern Wisconsin that will receive donations and pay bills. The
Friends and the Lions are also providing ongoing support and maintenance.
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