Garden tour funding to pay for Horizon View public art; artist chosen for bench and sculptural installation

Members of the Lake Forest Park Parks & Recreation Advisory Board discussed a public art project to be installed at Horizon View Park that the local garden tour group is funding.

The advisory group reported that the garden tour is acting on behalf of the city to deliver a public art piece and has committed $40,000 to the project. The garden‑tour selection committee reviewed multiple proposals and narrowed the field before selecting artist Alyssa Cole (surname spelled C‑O‑L‑E in the transcript) to design the work.

Why this matters: The project will place permanent art in a neighborhood park, add seating and sightlines for parents and visitors near the playground and pathways, and requires coordination with public works and a later review by the City Council before contracting and installation.

Project concept and site details: Committee discussion described a concrete bench roughly 4–5 feet wide decorated with colored concrete and glass mosaic and accompanied by metal sculptural elements approximately 9 feet tall at one or both ends. The preferred location is near the park entrance and parking lot pathway, positioned to give sightlines to the playground and ballfield while providing seating for parents and visitors. Board members also discussed an option for artwork attached to a chain‑link fence between the playground and play field, but the group said the design is settling toward a bench with adjacent vertical pieces.

Next steps and approvals: The advisory board was told the artist has visited the park and is working with staff to finalize the design. The project will move forward through public‑works review, attorney contracting and a City Council review for authorization before installation; the artist and organizers indicated a target of summer installation. A new public works director has been briefed and signaled support pending safety and contract reviews.

Ending: Board members expressed enthusiasm for the chosen design, noted the project adds benches and seating at Horizon View, and said they will look for the project to return to Council for formal consideration and contracting.