Placemaking public art installations in Hazelcrest Illinois
Case study, William G. Hill Center For the Arts, project management.
The William G. Hill Center for the Arts (WGHCA) will provide the following scope of work to achieve the goals of the Village of Hazel Crest Open Land Placemaking Project as described in the application included as Exhibit B. The project area is defined as the area along the 170th entrance, presentation area, pathway, and pond (within the 53 acres), Hazel Crest Open Lands.
1. Completed Activities- 8/9, 8/9, 10/04
2. Any associated deliverables completed- Two Sculptures installed
3. Photographs of activities- provided by Village of Hazel Crest
The following activities were completed on August 9th, 2025: Community Engagement, Moonlight Social, and a workshop facilitated by Caryl Henry Alexander for the Open Lands Commissioners, Board of Trustees, and participants from the neighboring community. There were five youth from Wiz Kids, and a total of 12 adults participated in the Mandala Build.
Associated deliverables-
This community engagement aims to attract first-time visitors to the Open Land, allowing them to explore native plants with guided tours and incorporate these into the mandala symbol's design.
Hazel Crest Open Lands Arboretum "Nature Mandala Build", facilitated by guest artist Caryl Henry Alexander.
Video link
Listening to the Wind Chimes Project
The artist proposes to design and fabricate a wind chime to be installed along the trails at the Hazel Crest Open Lands Project. Each piece is tuned to relax the body and mind of residents and visitors as they walk the trails. The wind chimes, a percussion instrument, will be fabricated with suspended metal tubes or rods, bells, and found metal. The tubes or rods will touch when their wind-catching surface, which the tubes or rods can strike when they or another wind-catching surface are blown by the natural movement of air outside. Natural movement of air outside.
Includes: Design, construction, and installation support within the project area to foster a cultural connection with the community.
Moonlight Social: Soundscape music by Reggie Nicholson Concepts. A total of 30 community members attended the evening, with music beginning at 7:30 pm and lasting until 9:45 pm.
Open Lands Arboretum, featuring a community listening session. On August 9, 2025, the Village of Hazel Crest hosted a Moonlight Social at the Open Lands Arboretum, featuring a community listening session. This event showcased the musical talents of Reggie Nicholson on percussion, Ed House on saxophone, and Yosef Ben Israel on bass, who will create a unique soundscape inspired by the natural surroundings of the Arboretum.
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https://youtu.be/5FzUTSQpblQ
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https://youtu.be/a7xbZ9MFy6Q
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https://youtu.be/ZTw2gUNFwWE
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https://youtu.be/IyAxXLhG6Tk
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https://youtu.be/9f6AgXqj-XU
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https://youtu.be/VXaunLpIwL4
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https://youtu.be/grJrBpwpUE0
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https://youtu.be/Q5UofsKoTJM
Oaks and Folks Gala, October 4th, 2025
https://www.sensestosoulschoolofmusic.com/
Christine Perri: Installed her project “Hazelnut Arch” on September 29th. The Public Works department assisted with installation.
Peter Gray: In installed his Cloud Burst Sculpture on October 1, 2025, and it was dedicated on October 4th.
The Public Works department completed the installation of the concrete pad on September 27th, 2025.
What makes a successful Place?
Sociability: The ultimate determinant of a place's success is how well it is managed. 08/09/2025
This is a difficult quality for a place to achieve, but once attained it becomes an unmistakable feature. When people see friends, meet and greet their neighbors, and feel comfortable interacting with strangers, they tend to feel a stronger sense of place or attachment to their community - and to the place that fosters these types of social activities.
August 9th, 2025, Responses to guided questions.
1. The Nice Program was well thought out with great community engagement.
2. Keep the programs coming; I love jazz.
3. I think this is a very nice program to bring people together. The Mandela project is very nice. I hope to see more of these programs in different neighborhoods.
4. Nice Program Mandala project was well thought out
5. Great community engagement
6. Keep the programs coming
7. Love the Jazz
8. I think this is a very nice program to bring people together
9. The Mandela project is very nice
10. I hope to see more of these programs in different neighborhoods
11. I think it is a great way to unite the community as it relates to art and nature.
12. It is to hold workshops every month that teach skills like gardening, arts and crafts, and also offer workshops that help with stress management.
13. Thanks for giving our small family-run business a shot.
14. Your orders and reviews matter more than you can imagine. Sincerely Jess
15. I hope you have a safe and joyful trip home. Be safe, and your spirit of farmers is beautiful
16. Please be safe, and God bless Juanita
17. Get more young people out to enjoy Open Lands
18. Looking forward to Art in the Woods
19. Bringing Nature Alive Peacefully
20. Creating a good way to meditate and love peace, love abundance.
21. Unity Family Friendly events
22. Different experiences are good for the soul
23. Art makes the world beautiful
24. It enables the mind
25. It is great to show off the talent of the community by displaying people's work
26. My name is Catherine. Thank you so much for the invite
27. The vibe, music, and food were wonderful
28. This was my first time coming to the event
29. I had a wonderful time. Good music, good people
30. The moon and weather were great, thank you
31. The landscape, trees, and barn fire were great
32. Everything puts me in a good frame of mind
33. Great intro to getting the community involved
34. A pleasure working with you
35. Can’t wait to see you next phase
36. 9 Stars
37. I enjoyed the walk in the open lands today
38. I also enjoyed your presentation
39. I love the outdoors and nature
40. This social was right on time
41. I have no idea; everything is nice as is.
42. Continuing art in the woods
43. Responding to the need, use only what you need
October 4th, 2025
https://youtu.be/SJWE0_aNdJ8
Hazel Crest Open Lands Arboretum
0:01 / 4:08
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https://youtu.be/KEHGIcxkCHY
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https://youtu.be/FkNRzAbSehU
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https://youtu.be/EtlG_bwMl5M
QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER ON ACCESS & LINKAGES. Evaluate Space & Identify Issues. In this step, participants assess how space is used and how it can be improved.
• Can you see the space from a distance? Is its interior visible from the outside?
• Is there a good connection between the space and the adjacent buildings, or do blank walls surround it? Do occupants of adjacent buildings use space?
• Can people easily walk to the place? Yes for example, do they have to dart between moving cars to get to the place? No
• Do sidewalks lead to and from the adjacent areas? Yes
• Does the space function for people with special needs? Yes
• Do the roads and paths through space take people where they actually want to go?
• Can people use a variety of transportation options - bus, train, car, bicycle, etc. - to reach the place? Yes, people can walk, bike, drive, and catch the bus
• Are transit stops conveniently located next to destinations such as libraries, post offices, park entrances, etc.?
Comfort & Image
Whether a space is comfortable and presents itself well, and has a good image, is key to its success. Comfort includes perceptions about safety, cleanliness, and the availability of places to sit - the importance of giving people the choice to sit where they want is generally underestimated.
• - Are there more women than men in the area?
• - Are there enough seats available? Are the seats conveniently located? Do people have options for sitting in the sun or shade?
• - Are the spaces clean and free of litter? Who is responsible for maintenance? What tasks do they perform, and when do they carry them out?
• - Does the area feel safe? Is there a security presence? If so, what are their responsibilities, and when are they on duty?
• - Are people taking pictures? Are there many opportunities for photography available?
• - Do vehicles dominate space, making it difficult for pedestrians to access it easily
PRINCIPLES TO KEEP IN MIND IN EVALUATING THE USES AND ACTIVITIES OF A PLACE:
• The more activities that are going on and that people have an opportunity to participate in, the better.
• There is a good balance between men and women.
• People of different ages use the space (retired people and people with young children can use the space during the day when others are working).
• The space is used throughout the day.
• A space that is used by both singles and people in groups is better than one that is just used by people alone because it means that there are places for people to sit with friends, there is more socializing, and it is more fun.
QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER ON USES & ACTIVITIES:
• Are people using space, or is it empty?
• Is it used by people of different ages?
• Are people in groups?
• How many different types of activities are occurring - people walking, eating, playing baseball, chess, relaxing, reading?
• Which parts of the space are used, and which are not?
• Are there choices of things to do?
• Is there a management presence, or can you identify anyone who is in charge of the space
OAKS AND FOLKS GALA ATTENDANCE 83 total.