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La Grange Park’s branding and identity were the focus of a public forum/workshop at the La Grange Park Public Library on July 18.
Fifty residents browsed through several workstations exhibiting ideas for a plan to complement not only the Streetscape Improvement Plan but also the entire Village.
“I think it’s time to make a change,” Village Trustee Jamie Zaura said. “I feel like we’re changing as a community, so it would be nice if our branding reflected that.”
Although the village’s rebranding might not be done at the same time as the Streetscape Improvement Program, it is definitely part of the same effort.
“I think it’s all tied together,” Zaura said.
The rebranding plan objectives, which can be found at lagrangepark.org under the May 14 Board meeting agenda, list the areas of focus. An online survey about the plan — open until July 30 — can also be found on the Village website.
Signage to be changed would include signs in front of public buildings, some street signs and “way-finding” signs indicating where places of interest might be, such as the Public Library, Village Hall, or the Village Market Shopping Center.
Other signs up for refurbishing would be public seating, Village furnishings, decorative stop signs, receptacles, planters, bike racks, and landscaping.
As to how many actual signs will be changed with a new one, that will be part of the project.
Span, a Chicago-based design studio, hired by the Village for $81,400, coordinated the workshop. The firm has done similar studies for Columbus, Indiana, and Berwyn, Illinois.
To elicit general themes for new signs throughout the Village, two workstations had residents give input on the history and culture of La Grange Park.
Two additional workstations solicited input from residents on what the new signage would look like, including what type of fonts to use, what colors signs might be, and how “busy” a sign should be.
While the new branding may not happen simultaneously with the Streetscape Improvement Plan, the planning for the branding and identity improvements will be done by the end of 2024.
“I’m thrilled that we’re implementing one of the recommendations of the Village Market Streetscape Improvement Plan,” Deputy Village Manager Maggie Jarr said. “We need this branding and identity work completed so we can develop and implement new way-finding signage and other streetscape improvements.”
Residents looked over the suggestions intently.
“I’ve lived here my whole life, and I’m happy to show up to local events and I’m happy to take part in trying to improve my community,” Lyons Township senior Jaden Zander said.
Annie Davidson is a fairly recent addition to the La Grange Park Community.
“I’m excited about what they’re focusing on and that they’re seeking neighbor’s input on what really matters to us and why we chose to live here,” she said. “As a family, we moved here 10 years ago as transplants … we feel like we really lucked out moving here. I think it’s a great time to highlight what’s special about living here.”
Traci Greene, an 11-year resident, echoed Davidson’s sentiments.
“I hadn’t heard about this until tonight, but I love and have a strong bond with the community,” she said. “I really enjoy living here and I do think it’s unique; I love the history, and I really hope that they maintain that in the colors and designs. I would hate for it all to turn very modern because I think of this as a historic and classic neighborhood.”
Hank Beckman is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
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