Village staff presented a concept design for Alonzo Park that would reconfigure entrances, add parking stalls and change vehicle circulation; the board spent substantial time discussing emergency-vehicle access, the role of a grassy median and whether to remove a second driveway.

Staff said the village received an amended grant award that must be expensed by 2027 and includes a significant portion — about $325,000 as described by staff — for intersection improvements. The village plans to meet with the county on July 9 to discuss whether the county can advance the intersection work earlier than 2027 and potentially share funding.

Trustees discussed removing the secondary driveway to slow traffic and make the park safer for children, but several raised concerns about how emergency vehicles would enter and exit if the secondary driveway were closed or gated. One attendee (identified in the transcript as a fire-department-affiliated speaker) suggested that in some emergency scenarios staff or first responders might block the public road instead of routing large apparatus through park circulation, but trustees asked staff to ensure the engineers design a plan that allows safe emergency access and vehicle turning.

Other points of discussion included the park’s parking capacity (a design count mentioned 67 stalls), the relationship of the new entrance to Warner Street and crosswalk alignment, and wetland constraints that affect the band-shell location and other amenities. Staff said the concept had not been engineered and that final design decisions would follow engineer review and further input from emergency responders.

Ending: Staff will present design options to engineers and consult with the county and fire department on emergency-access requirements; the board expects an update after the July 9 meeting with the county.