The Village of Algonquin, IL

The Village of Algonquin proudly held a well-attended ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the reopening of Towne Park, marking the completion of a transformative $5.7 million reconstruction project that honors the park’s historic roots while investing in its future as a vibrant community gathering place.

“Towne Park has always been a place that brings our community together,” said Village President Debby Sosine. “It’s more than just a park—it’s where families picnic, where children laugh and play, where music fills the air during our Summer Concerts, and where history lives on through landmarks like the Mineral Springs site. Today, we begin a new chapter in that story.”

As part of the event, the Village Board formally dedicated the new performance pavilion as the Jerry Kautz Pavilion in honor of Jerry Kautz, the Village’s former longtime clerk and respected community leader. This tribute recognizes his decades of service and enduring impact on the Algonquin community.

Thanks to input from residents, support from local partners, and state funding, the Village unveiled several significant improvements, including:

• A custom-designed, inclusive playground with accessible rubber surfacing
• A new performance pavilion to support concerts and community events
• A combined picnic shelter and restroom facility, plus a renovated restroom in the south parking lot for added convenience
• Enhanced entry signage to welcome visitors
• Restored natural features, including the historic Mineral Springs site, made possible through generous support from the Algonquin Garden Club and Algonquin Historic Commission

The project reflects years of planning and community engagement, including public meetings, stakeholder outreach, and online surveys that helped shape the park’s vision and design. The reconstruction was made possible in part by a $600,000 Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. 

“We’re grateful to our residents, partners, and staff who made this vision a reality,” Sosine added. “Towne Park is once again ready to serve as a place for concerts, picnics, play, and quiet moments in nature for the next generation of Algonquin families.”

The newly dedicated Jerry Kautz Pavilion will host its first official event on Thursday, July 10, as the Algonquin Summer Concerts kick off the season at this brand-new venue. More details are available at www.algonquin.org/concerts. 

For more information about Towne Park and the Village’s parks and recreation initiatives, visit www.algonquin.org/recreation.