Committee seeks better signage, IDOT guidance to steer park visitors downtown

Committee members spent significant time discussing how to connect Shadow/Shavona Lake State Park visitation to downtown economic activity, focusing on directional and promotional signage along US-30 and at the town’s east end. The chair emphasized the scale of the opportunity and asked the committee to invite state and county roads representatives and property owners to the next meeting to clarify what signs are allowed, what approvals and fees IDOT requires, and whether private-property sign placement is a viable short-term strategy.

"The park gets approximately depending on the year, 300 to 400,000 people a year come to the park," Chair said, noting only a small fraction currently visit the village. Committee members argued that clear wayfinding (a sign indicating "Shadow Lake" straight ahead) and listings for boat rental and restaurants could increase downtown visits. The group debated the tradeoffs between placing signs on private property (to avoid IDOT easement rules and annual fees) and seeking IDOT-approved route signage; they agreed to request IDOT, DeKalb County road commissioners, and private sign owners attend the next meeting to provide regulatory guidance and cost estimates.

As next steps, staff will identify property owners who host welcome signs and schedule the follow-up meeting with transportation and park representatives so the committee can develop a sign plan and an outreach strategy to downtown businesses.