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Hinsdale panel backs pavilion at Burlington Park; commissioners ask for alternates on columns and roofing
Summary
Plan commissioners approved the concept and site preference for a permanent Burlington Park pavilion, endorsing the angled option toward the fountain and recommending bid alternates to test round corner columns and real slate roofing; the project is privately funded and intended to replace the temporary Uniquely Thursday stage.
The Hinsdale Plan Commission on March 11 recommended approval of the Burlington Park pavilion concept and site option that favors an angled placement toward the park fountain, and it asked staff to include alternates in bid documents for corner-column profiles and roofing material.
Trustee Alexis Braden, speaking for the village's working group, said the pavilion is privately funded by donors that include Hinsdale Hospital, the Chamber of Commerce and Hinsdale Bank and Trust. "The primary goals were to design a structure that would honor the historic integrity of our village while meeting the needs of residents for many generations to come," Braden said, and she reported that a village survey of 220 residents showed about 72% support for a pavilion.
Architect Mike Abraham presented two layout options and design cues drawn from the nearby Memorial Hall building, proposing a roughly 20-by-30-foot pavilion with a gabled roof, an oculus window, trim details and tapered columns. Commissioners focused on several design tradeoffs: whether the pavilion should be angled toward the fountain (to preserve sight lines from the train and tie into park circulation) or orthogonal to the streets, whether an equipment ramp should be narrowed to preserve green space, and whether corner columns should be round as a preferred alternate to better echo Memorial Hall.
Material choices and fundraising: Commissioners discussed roofing choices and value-engineering. Several commissioners favored real slate where feasible but recognized budget constraints; staff agreed to include a real-slate alternate and an alternate bid that substitutes round corner columns for the squared design to let cost inform the final decision. The plan commission also discussed salvaging historic bricks for column piers and stair caps and integrating landscape lighting that complements Memorial Hall.
Action and conditions: By motion, the commission approved case A-6-2026 in the configuration described as option two (angled toward the fountain/rail alignment) with recommendations to consider the round-corner column alternate, a real-slate roof alternate, attention to ramp/sidewalk grading to avoid creating an ADA ramp where not required, and integration of lighting with Memorial Hall. Commissioners voted in favor on a roll-call.
Next steps: Staff and the working group will prepare final drawings and bid documents incorporating the alternates and value-engineering options; the pavilion project will proceed to bidding and then to the Village Board for final appropriation as needed. The architect is providing design services pro bono, and the working group said donor recognition will be considered in location and format, with a preference for flexibility so plaques can be updated over time.
