Residents urge transparency at Bicentennial Park; mayor denies plans to sell or privatize

Mayor Terry Darcy addressed recent media attention about Bicentennial Park before public comment, saying, "There is no truth to rumors that the city intends to sell or privatize Bicentennial Park." He said the city would not comment on personnel matters in the forum but affirmed the city's commitment to preserve and enhance the park for cultural and community programming.

Multiple speakers from the local arts community and longtime residents urged the council to make public statements and to hold open forums about the park's future. Nicole Leroy, speaking on behalf of the Billy LeMacher Theater, said the theater and the park are "the heart of Joliet's artistic community" and asked the city for a formal public statement and community forum to clarify "structural changes that have been unknown to us."

Mary Gannon described the park’s historical role in the Bluff Street neighborhood and urged the council not to remove long-standing local leadership. Gannon said she has known theater staff and volunteers for decades and warned that replacing local managers with out-of-town personnel could harm the park's community role.

Bertina Anderson offered a personal testimony about the theater community's role in recovery and social connection. Anderson said Bicentennial Park programming helped her through illness and recovery and pleaded with the council to preserve the park’s traditions and leadership.

Speakers asked for a formal public statement clarifying any operational or management changes and for a public forum so residents and theater stakeholders can ask questions and offer input. The transcript records no formal council action on the park at this pre-council meeting; the mayor’s remarks and public comments are the primary record in this session.