Galesburg Receives $2 Million State Grant to Enhance Standish Park

GALESBURG – The City of Galesburg, in partnership with Knox College, is thrilled to announce that the city has been awarded a $2 million state grant to update and improve Standish Park. Located in the heart of downtown and flanked by City Hall, the Knox County Courthouse, and Knox College's Old Main and Alumni Hall, the one-block park and arboretum was founded in 1873 and ties together the community, college, and downtown.

Standish Park is named in honor of longtime Galesburg resident, Lombard College professor, Knox College benefactor, and horticulture specialist and tree enthusiast John Van Ness Standish (1825-1919).

The project aims to preserve and enhance the arboretum, while simultaneously investing in amenities and infrastructure that draw citizens to the space and allow the park to flourish as a center of downtown activity and events. 

"This grant is incredibly exciting news for Galesburg, and it highlights the wonderful progress possible through collaboration,” said Eric Hanson, City Manager. "We are excited to partner with Knox to develop the park’s full potential and create a vibrant downtown space. Our sincere gratitude goes to Senator Halpin and our local state lawmakers for securing the funding to make this transformation feasible. True collaboration at both the local and state levels has opened a wonderful opportunity for our community."

Preliminary design plans are focused on creating an active, welcoming space where citizens and students alike will enjoy spending time. The proposed plan introduces an outdoor performance stage, community recreation features like bocce ball and cornhole courts, and infrastructure to facilitate food trucks and weekend gatherings. Illuminated walkways, new public seating, and highly visible crosswalks will tie the entire park together, making it a comfortable place to walk, gather, enjoy the arboretum, and host community events.

"I am truly excited to collaborate with the city on the update of Standish Park, a symbol of the connection between Galesburg and the College,” said Knox College President C. Andrew McGadney. “Knox is deeply thankful to our partners with the city, Senator Halpin, and other state lawmakers for helping to make this transformative community project a reality."

The city has already begun proactive care in the park, which includes the removal of compromised trees, and appropriately trimming branches to raise the tree canopy. This work increases the overall health and longevity of the arboretum, allowing for better air circulation and sunlight while opening back up historic views of the landmarks bordering the park and keeping the area bright and safe. This ongoing maintenance opens the door for further development of the space, allowing for a better assessment of the existing canopy to plan purposeful future plantings of tree species not currently represented in the collection.

This major investment in Standish Park and the Galesburg community was made possible by the strong advocacy and support of our state legislators, who successfully secured the necessary capital funding.

"Standish Park is already a beautiful public space at the core of the City of Galesburg. These improvements will make it even more attractive to experience on a warm summer day, and I am glad that the State of Illinois is making these needed investments,” said Senator Mike Halpin. 

"I am incredibly grateful to the State of Illinois and Senator Mike Halpin for supporting this initiative, which brings Galesburg and Knox College together to invest in our longstanding arboretum,” said Mayor Peter Schwartzman. “Serving as Mayor, while also spending my career as an Environmental Studies Professor at Knox, this project connects the issues I’ve dedicated my career to, and reflects the tangible impact of trees, while strengthening the connection between the Knox campus and community.”

 With funding awarded, the City of Galesburg will move forward with the steps necessary to manage the grant and implement the project scope. This includes collaboration with landscape and engineering firms, gathering community and stakeholder input, and finalizing project designs. Citizens are encouraged to follow the City’s website and social media for progress updates as the project unfolds.