Map kiosks have been staples at malls and parks throughout the country for decades. Through the efforts of the Monument Square District (MSD), Legacy Park in Urbana is now home to a kiosk featuring a map of downtown businesses.
Located in the southeast corner of Monument Square, Legacy Park – an MSD project that began taking shape in spring 2014 – is located on land leased to MSD by the city. The park, which is still being developed, features a pergola with a crosshatch top, two benches, an ashcan and, as of April 13, a two-sided kiosk.
The north side of the kiosk features a large map showing the location of downtown businesses and includes a legend listing businesses under three categories: dine, shop and service.
On the south side of the kiosk is a schedule featuring the dates of MSD events and other local events taking place in 2016. There is also a list of recreation areas located within the county.
“W Productions worked with us on a great price (for the kiosk), local merchants donated money, and any additional funding came from Monument Square District annual fundraisers,” MSD Secretary Vicki Deere-Bunnell said.
MSD is working on phase II of the three-phase project.
Scheduled to be completed during phase II is the installation of lighting and flower/plant pots, while painting will also take place.
This spring, a large rock featuring a plaque listing donors to the park project will be installed, Deere-Bunnell said.
If all goes as planned, she added, Legacy Park could become a spot to enjoy an outdoor meal.
“We would love to see some small tables within the park to allow for an extra dining area in the downtown,” Deere-Bunnell said. “This would be additional space for the local restaurants to utilize.”
To continue moving forward with phase II, MSD is accepting donations for the lights, benches, tables and continued landscaping.”
While Deere-Bunnell didn’t reveal any specific plans for phase III, MSD has tossed around the idea of installing public restrooms at Legacy Park.
“We are working hard in getting all of the basics done to make for a great park in phase II,” she said. “Phase III will not be reviewed again until we have the main vision of the park complete.”
Volunteers sought to spruce up downtown
With spring season officially underway, Monument Square District (MSD) board members have turned their attention to cleaning up the downtown Urbana area.
At 1 p.m. on May 14, MSD will hold its annual spring cleanup and beautification of Monument Square.
“We hope to complete a thorough cleaning, weeding, planting, and whatever else it takes for all of the Monument Square overlay and hopefully a few additional blocks in all directions,” MSD Secretary Vicki Deere-Bunnell said.
Volunteers wishing to lend a hand to the beautification efforts are asked to gather at the side entrance of Security National Bank, 1 Monument Square, at 1 p.m. on May 14.
“We need volunteers or we will not be able to complete all of the cleanup with just the board members,” Deere-Bunnell said. “If the shops had time to pick up a little before the big day, this would be a big help if they could not volunteer on that day.”
