SCOTT: Bluffs to open park bids in September; Picnic this Saturday

By Editor | August 13, 2024 |

By DAVID CAMPHOUSE

Submitted graphic
At the regular August meeting of the Bluffs Village Board, Bryan Cannon of Benton & Associates presented renderings of what the Lewis Park renovation will look like once construction is complete. At the meeting, the Village Board authorized Benton & Associates to advertise for bids on the Lewis Park renovations. This view shows a birdseye view of the park, which will feature new play equipment, a pickleball court, and many new amenities.

At the regular August meeting of the Bluffs Village Board, Bryan Cannon of Benton & Associates presented renderings of what the Lewis Park renovation will look like once construction is complete.

The planned renovation of Lewis Park is made possible by a $600,000 Open Space Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR).

Bluffs was the only entity in Scott County to receive the grant which targeted economically distressed communities.

Bluffs Village President Linda Sapp said the grant will allow the Village to make several improvements to the park – including upgraded electrical infrastructure, improvements to the stage area, construction of ADA compliant bathrooms and the creation of a small playground and pickleball court.

“Behind the library, we want to build a pickleball court and an area for those who toss bags,” Sapp said. “We also want to build a sunscreen in front of the stage for people watching things on stage. The front part of the stage area is always in the sun.”

Sapp said the improvements would only be possible with the state’s financial assistance.

“Even just the electrical work would have cost us $100,000,” Sapp said.

The Village President said that the park improvements were vital to the community, because the space is used for so many celebrations and events central to the cultural life of Bluffs.

Submitted graphic
Bryan Cannon of Benton & Associates presented renderings of the planned Lewis Park renovations to the Bluffs Village Board at the group’s August meeting. This view of the park shows a pickleball court in the foreground, with new play equipment, sun shades, and a renovated stage in the background. The board authorized the letting of bids for the Lewis Park renovation work. Bids will be opened at the village’s September board meeting.

“We do so much in the park,” Sapp said. “The Bluffs picnic is there and Santa in the Park. We just wanted to be able to offer more to the community.”

The Bluffs Village Board also approved expanding the park with the purchase of an adjacent property.

“We just purchased the property behind the library, so we will have more space to do things,” Sapp said.

After viewing renderings of the park presented by Benton & Associates’s Cannon, the board voted to put the park renovation work out for bid.

It is anticipated that bids will be opened at the September meeting of the Bluffs Village Board, and a bid will be selected at the same meeting.

Also discussed at the August Bluffs Village Board meeting was a $12,400 grant received by the village from the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) to host a “bicycle rodeo,” in order to improve bicycle safety in the community.

Initial plans call for a bicycle safety class to be available to children who reside in Bluffs. Participants will receive a bike and helmet.

The Village is planning to partner with Winchester’s Rural Cyclery to coordinate the grant programming.

Board members also voted to authorize Bluffs Police Chief Patrick Johnson to purchase Quick Vu cameras for $6,853.00. The city hopes to receive a grant from Norfolk Southern for the purchase price of the cameras.

The board went on to authorize the purchase of a John Deere lawn mower from Sloan Implement for $14,100.

Finally, the community is preparing for this year’s Bluffs Community Picnic, which takes place Saturday, Aug. 17, with kettle service for burgoo customers kicking off at 7 a.m.

According to Bluffs Community Picnic coordinator Kay Sandman, the organizing committee for the event has a day packed with activities and entertainment for the whole family.

For more information on the Bluffs Community Picnic, visit the event’s Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/share/g/NFGFhzfe8SVyCx6J/, or contact the Bluffs Village Hall at (217) 754-3033.

Bluffs Community Picnic schedule of events – Saturday, Aug. 17

Burgoo kettle service: 7 a.m.

Parade: 10 a.m.

Pageant: 11 a.m.

Bowl Service/Pulled Pork: 11 a.m.

“I Dood It”: 12 p.m.

Food & retail vendors 12 p.m.

“Mississippi Mind Trap”: 1 p.m.

Little Ms. & Mr. pageant: 1 p.m.

Special live entertainment: 2 p.m.

T & J Rodeo: 3 p.m.

Laser Tag: 3 p.m.