Open house scheduled for Wednesday, October 1
The Village of Bourbonnais is pleased to announce the continuation of the Riverfront Park Master Planning process. On Wednesday, October 1, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., residents are invited to attend an interactive open house workshop in the Community Room at the Bourbonnais Municipal Center, 700 Main St. NW.
The open house is free and does not require registration. Attendees will have the opportunity to:
• Learn more about the recent park expansion
• Review community feedback gathered during the first phase of public engagement
• Share ideas for the future vision of Riverfront Park
In 2024, the village began collecting input for the 10.7-acre park located at 1200 Canterbury Lane along the Kankakee River, with support from a $110,000 grant secured by Senator Patrick Joyce. As one of the village’s premier parks, Riverfront Park has remained largely untouched for the past 20 years. The Master Planning initiative, part of the Imagine Bourbonnais community visioning effort, provides residents with the chance to shape its next chapter.
Planning was briefly paused following a generous and unexpected donation from the Johnston family, who contributed 6.5 acres of adjacent riverfront property to the park.
“We appreciate our residents’ patience while we completed the legal process to acquire this incredible addition,” said Bourbonnais Mayor Jeff Keast. “Now, with even more space to imagine, I look forward to hearing from our community about how we can make the most of this unique and scenic resource.”
The Master Planning process is being led by Kimley-Horn and Associates, an engineering, planning, and design consulting firm that previously assisted the Village with its Wayfinding Signage Program.
Riverfront Park is one of 22 parks maintained by the village, and one of only two located along the Kankakee River. Current amenities include:
• Benches
• Biking and walking trails
• Fitness equipment
• Fishing access
• Frisbee golf
• A historic pavilion
• Seasonal restrooms
• A Little Free Library
