Pleasant Prairie commission approves privately funded Hidden History Sculpture Trail

The Pleasant Prairie Park Commission voted to approve the Hidden History Sculpture Trail, a project led by the Pleasant Prairie Historical Society and funded in part by a $50,000 private donation from Dermody Properties. The commission approved a loan-and-exhibition agreement that would place five sculptures along the Lake Andrea walking path, with installation planned for June 2026 and a public opening in July 2026.

The historical society says the trail will interpret five “hidden” local stories, from the former Pleasant Prairie Power Plant and the Laflin & Rand powder mill explosion to the North Shore Line and a World War II training camp. Kate Bennett, museum curator for the Pleasant Prairie Historical Society, told the commission the project is intended to add tourism and historical context to high-traffic park locations while preserving and promoting local history.

Under the plan approved by the commission, each sculpture will sit on a concrete foundation slab roughly 6 feet by 6 feet (larger bases available for oversized works). Artists selected through a call-for-artists will receive $5,000 per piece, paid in two parts: $1,500 upon selection and $3,500 on installation. The Society will own the artworks and enter into a 10-year renewable loan agreement with the village. Bennett said the $50,000 donation from Dermody Properties will be transferred to the Pleasant Prairie Historical Society to support the project and that any additional money needed would be raised privately by the society.

The commission and presenters addressed questions about insurance, signage, accessibility and site selection. Bennett said artists must carry insurance while transporting and installing work and that the village’s insurance would provide park-property liability coverage while the sculptures are on site. Jean Werby Harris, vice president and secretary of the Pleasant Prairie Historical Society, told commissioners the society will be responsible for maintenance and repairs: "This is really being done at the sole cost and expense of the society...not by the village of Pleasant Prairie," she said.

Resident Brett Brandenburg raised concerns during the public-comment period about potential costs falling to the village or to residents, asking whether the village would pay for engineering, concrete pads or artwork purchases. Bennett and Harris both responded that the society will be primarily responsible for costs and that the Dermody donation and other private fundraising will cover project expenses.

The commission approved the motion to proceed with the project by voice vote. Next steps outlined by presenters include a May 27 application deadline for artists, committee selections in June 2025 (with notifications by June 27), about 11 months for artists to create works, installation in June 2026 and an opening in July 2026.

The approval included director and staff review points: final artist sketches and any signage will return to village review boards for final approval, and historical markers at the actual historic sites will require county permission where applicable. The commission closed the meeting after brief commissioner remarks and a motion to adjourn.