The City of Galesburg and Knox College have been awarded a $2 million state grant to update and improve Standish Park, the one-block park and arboretum in the heart of downtown Galesburg.
Plans call for an outdoor performance stage, bocce ball and cornhole courts, food truck infrastructure, illuminated walkways, new public seating, and highly visible crosswalks. The project also aims to preserve and enhance the arboretum, which dates to 1873.
The park sits at the center of downtown, flanked by City Hall, the Knox County Courthouse, and Knox College’s Old Main and Alumni Hall. It is named for John Van Ness Standish (1825–1919), a Galesburg resident, Lombard College professor, Knox College benefactor, and horticulture specialist.
What the city and Knox College are saying
“This grant is incredibly exciting news for Galesburg, and it highlights the wonderful progress possible through collaboration,” said City Manager Eric Hanson. “We are excited to partner with Knox to develop the park’s full potential and create a vibrant downtown space. Our sincere gratitude goes to Senator Halpin and our local state lawmakers for securing the funding to make this transformation feasible. True collaboration at both the local and state levels has opened a wonderful opportunity for our community.”
Knox College President C. Andrew McGadney welcomed the partnership.
“I am truly excited to collaborate with the city on the update of Standish Park, a symbol of the connection between Galesburg and the College,” McGadney said. “Knox is deeply thankful to our partners with the city, Senator Halpin, and other state lawmakers for helping to make this transformative community project a reality.”
Work already underway in the park
The city has already begun work in the park, including removal of compromised trees and trimming to raise the tree canopy. The work is intended to improve air circulation and sunlight, open up historic views of the surrounding landmarks, and allow for better assessment of the existing canopy for future plantings.
State funding and next steps
State Senator Mike Halpin was credited with securing the capital funding.
“Standish Park is already a beautiful public space at the core of the City of Galesburg,” Halpin said. “These improvements will make it even more attractive to experience on a warm summer day, and I am glad that the State of Illinois is making these needed investments.”
Mayor Peter Schwartzman, who also serves as an Environmental Studies professor at Knox College, called the project a reflection of his career priorities.
“I am incredibly grateful to the State of Illinois and Senator Mike Halpin for supporting this initiative, which brings Galesburg and Knox College together to invest in our longstanding arboretum,” Schwartzman said. “Serving as Mayor, while also spending my career as an Environmental Studies Professor at Knox, this project connects the issues I’ve dedicated my career to, and reflects the tangible impact of trees, while strengthening the connection between the Knox campus and community.”
With funding in place, the city will move forward with hiring landscape and engineering firms, gathering community and stakeholder input, and finalizing project designs.
