La Grange Park’s Village Market Paint and Post Pilot Project
As La Grange Park works to revamp the branding for its key commercial areas, village officials are inviting residents to share their thoughts on the Village Market Paint and Post pilot project. This initiative is part of the Village Market Streetscape Improvement Plan, which received approval from the Village Board in 2023.
According to village planner Derek Rockwell, the project involves installing white posts into the asphalt to create a temporary curve, complemented by painting behind the posts and along crosswalks. Rockwell explained, “This is a pilot program and we’re in the feedback phase right now. That’s why we have the survey going on.”
Residents can access the survey on the village’s website, lagrangepark.org, located under the “government” tab in the Village Market Market Plan section. The website also features a short film showcasing village staff at work on the project and a link to the Improvement Plan text.
The project aims to create a more pedestrian-friendly environment, with the pilot testing ideas at intersections like Sherwood Road and Woodlawn Avenue as well as Homestead Road. The posts, referred to as “bollards,” are designed to alter intersection geometry and reduce traffic speed, providing what city planners call a “calming effect.”
The introduction of new pedestrian walkways and bollards is intended to encourage both shoppers and residents from nearby Homestead Apartments to walk to the area surrounding Jewel Foods and other Village Market merchants.
New bollards and painted pavement at the corner of Homestead and Sherwood roads are part of efforts to enhance pedestrian safety under the village’s Paint and Post pilot program.
Since the affected roadways are owned by the village, Illinois Department of Transportation approval is not needed for this project. However, such approval will be required for modifications to major village roads like La Grange Road and 31st Street.
The pilot program has a 12-month timeframe focused on the Village Market area. Depending on results and feedback from residents, similar methods might be implemented in other village sections, such as the 31st Street area undergoing its transportation update.
Regarding anticipated outcomes, Rockwell acknowledged the ongoing nature of the process. “We are in the midst of doing that research,” he stated. He confirmed pre-installation vehicle and pedestrian traffic counts had been conducted, and post-installation counts are currently taking place to allow for comparisons.
These efforts will provide technical data in combination with community perception from the survey, approaching the evaluation from both data-driven and human-focused perspectives.
Hank Beckman is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.