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Plan commission backs permanent pavilion at Burlington Park, recommends round-column and slate alternates
Summary
The Plan Commission approved option two for a permanent Burlington Park pavilion—angled toward the park/fountain—with recommendations to seek alternate bids for round corner columns and a real-slate roof; the project is privately funded and will return with bid pricing and final signage/lighting details.
The Hinsdale Plan Commission voted unanimously March 11 to approve a permanent pavilion at Burlington Park (Case A-6-2026), endorsing the working group's preferred siting (option two) and asking staff to include alternate bids for round corner columns and a real-slate roof.
Trustee Alexis Braden, representing the working group, told commissioners the project grew from resident feedback and donor support and that a community survey returned 220 responses with "more than 72% supporting the pavilion addition." Braden said private donors include the local hospital, the Chamber of Commerce and Hinsdale Bank and Trust.
Architect Mike Abraham described two layout options and defended the recommended angled siting toward the fountain and park: "The building itself is more about the park and the garden than the streets," he said, arguing the angle improves sightlines from the fountain and across the park. Commissioners discussed sightlines, ramp width (treated as a sloped sidewalk where feasible), potential staging and the need to preserve sightlines to Memorial Hall.
Commissioners recommended the design be bid with alternates that include: (1) replacing the pavilion's square corner columns with round, tapered columns on the four corners, and (2) pricing a real-slate roof as an alternate to faux slate. The commission also discussed plaque placement and options to integrate lighting with nearby Memorial Hall. Staff will include both alternates in the bid documents and report pricing back to the village.
The commission's motion (Case A-6-2026) approved the project as shown in option two (aligned with the fountain/park axis and Flag Creek/railroad alignment) and recommended the alternate bids; the motion passed on a roll-call vote of commissioners present.
Funding and use: Braden said the pavilion will be privately funded by donors and intended to host Uniquely Thursday performances, library events and other community programming; the structure is approximately 20 by 30 feet with a vaulted ceiling for improved acoustics and will include an accessibility ramp or sloped sidewalk for equipment access.
Next steps: Staff will finalize bid documents with the recommended alternates, coordinate electrical and foundation needs with Public Works, and bring back bid results and final layout details for the village board to consider.
