General

Historic Preservation Commission Meeting City Hall - Council Chambers June 24, 2026 6:30 PM Agenda PUBLIC NOTICE In accordance with the Statutes of the State of Illinois and the Ordinances of the City of Highland Park, a Special Meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission of the City of Highland Park is scheduled to be held at the hour of 6:30 PM on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, at City Hall - Council Chambers, 1707 St Johns Avenue, Highland Park, Illinois, during which meeting it is anticipated that there will be a discussion of the following items. The Historic Preservation Commission has elected to conduct the meeting entirely in- person, and without opportunity for virtual viewing or participation. Please contact the Department of Community Development – Planning Division at (847) 432-0867 for up-to- date information on the conduct of the meeting. Individuals with questions or feedback about an agenda item may email the Staff Liaison Maddy Markle at mmarkle@cityhpil.com. Comments and emails received prior to the Thursday before the scheduled meeting will be included in the meeting packet. Public comments received by 4:30 PM the day of the meeting will be read under Business from the Public. Any comments received during the meeting will be held until the end of the meeting. Individuals who wish to have their comments read into the public record are limited to 200 words or less. Public comments should be emailed and contain the following information: • In the subject line, identify, “HPC (Date of Meeting)” • Name • Address (optional) • City • Phone (optional) • Organization, agency representing, if applicable • Topic or agenda item number of interest All emails received will be acknowledged. Individuals with no access to email may leave a voice message with Maddy Markle at 847.926.1856. The City, in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, requests that persons with disabilities who require certain accommodations to allow them to observe and/or participate in this hearing, or who have questions about the accessibility of the meeting facilities, email the City’s ADA coordinator Emily Taub or call at 847.926.1005. Page 1 of 85 I. Call to Order II. Roll Call III. Approval of Minutes IV. Scheduled Business V. Discussion Items A. Place of Remembrance Design Concept VI. Business from the Public (Individuals wishing to be heard regarding items not listed on this agenda) VII. Other Business A. Next Regular Meeting to Occur July 9, 2026 VIII. Staff Report IX. Adjournment Page 2 of 85 Staff Report Meeting Date: June 24, 2026 Staff Contact: Emily Taub, Assistant City Manager Jazmin Alejandro, Social Services Specialist Maddy Markle, Planner I Zubin Coleman, Senior Planner Amanda Bennett, Communications Manager Department: City Manager's Office Title: Place of Remembrance Design Concept Recommendation: Staff recommends the Historic Preservation Commission discuss the relationship between the Place of Remembrance unified design concept and the locally landmarked Rose Garden site. Policy Consideration: Background In 2023, the City Council established a Working Group to guide the planning process for the permanent Place of Remembrance for the Highland Park shooting. The Place of Remembrance has three primary objectives: • Create an accessible public place for reflection, remembrance, and solace; • Pay tribute to the memories of Katie Goldstein, Irina McCarthy, Kevin Michael McCarthy, Jacki Lovi Sundheim, Stephen Straus, Nicolas Toledo, and Eduardo Uvaldo; • Honor the community's resiliency, especially those who were injured. The Working Group has been meeting regularly since November of 2023, with all meeting notes and related documents available online at hpremembrance.org/meetings. Key milestones for the Working Group include: • Potential location brainstorm and development of the location shortlist (Port Clinton Square, the southwest corner of St. Johns & Central, the Rose Garden): February 27, 2024 & April 3, 2024 • RFP process for location feedback focus group & survey consultants: August 27, Page 3 of 85  2024 (firm recommendation); October 15, 2024 (Council approval) • Location feedback public engagement process: November 2024 - January 2025; March 31, 2025 (Working Group presentation); April 14 & April 25 (Committee of the Whole presentation); Full downloadable report recommending a prominent, primary Place of Remembrance at the Rose Garden and a subtle, secondary location at Port Clinton Plaza • RFQ process for design services, a multi-phase process: April 30, 2025 (RFQ issued); June 18, 2025 (shortlist developed for interviews & representative designs); August 27, 2025 (Working Group recommendation); October 6, 2025 (Committee of the Whole discussion and selection of SWA Group); December 15, 2025 (Committee of the Whole update and budget determination); January 12, 2026 (approval of agreement with SWA Group) Design Process Overview In January, 2026, the City entered into an agreement with SWA Group for the design of the permanent Place of Remembrance, including the prominent primary location at the Rose Garden, and the subtle, secondary location at Port Clinton Plaza. The design and construction process is divided into five phases discussed in detail, with milestones, on the City's website. The first phase, Ideation, represented an opportunity for the design team to meet the community and hear feedback on potential design elements through a comprehensive public engagement strategy developed by SWA Group's partner consultant, All Together. Working in partnership with City staff, SWA Group and All Together implemented a tiered approach to this phase of community engagement in line with that of the Location Feedback Survey (2025; see below) and the Place of Remembrance communications plan (see Attachment 6). Feedback during the Ideation phase focused on mood boards and open-ended questions to help the team actively develop ideas and concept designs from community feedback (see Attachment 7). This phase entailed ideation listening sessions from victims' families, individuals who were injured, and first responders, focus groups with various stakeholders, including parade participants, government and resource partners and others who assisted with the shooting response, including City staff, a listening session at the Committee of the Whole (February 23, 2026), a community workshop, and a public survey. This phase also included an initial joint conversation between the Committee of the Whole and the Historic Preservation Commission, with respect to considerations pertaining to the historic landmark at the Rose Garden on March 9, 2026. The Ideation phase resulted in the three design concepts that were presented at a public meeting of the Working Group on May 7, 2026 and at the Council design concept listening session at the Committee of the Whole on May 11, 2026. The engagement report summarizing quantitative and qualitative feedback received is available on the City's website. The second phase, Design Concepting, began in May and will continue throughout June. During Design Concepting, the design team presented the three concept designs informed by the public engagement from the Ideation phase to the community to receive feedback on the concepts. Individual outreach to victims' family members and people who were injured was conducted by the Resiliency Division and in person listening sessions were held with the design team. Public Page 4 of 85 workshops were held on May 9 and May 11 in addition to multiple opportunities to view the concepts at City Hall, the Highland Park Senior Center, and Moraine Township to reach and receive input from the community. A community wide survey was also conducted online and in paper format. An engagement report summarizing the information shared by victims and the community is available on the City’s website. The comprehensive feedback informed the development of a single unified design concept which was shared with the City Council on June 8 (see Attachment 8). Subsequent design phases will include Design Development (anticipated July - September 2026), Construction Documentation (anticipated September - December 2026), and Construction (anticipated 2027 - completion) – information on these phases is available on the City's website. The construction timeline will be developed after the final design is determined and a construction manager has been onboarded. RFP responses for construction manager services were due June 5, 2026. Previous Commission Discussion The March 9, 2026 Joint Special Meeting of the Committee of the Whole and the Historic Preservation Commission included a review of the historic elements of the Rose Garden. The report and meeting the history, historic landmarking process, and current status of the site. At that meeting, the Committee of the Whole and the Historic Preservation Commission discussed considerations pertaining to the Place of Remembrance and the Rose Garden. Site History Laurel Park, the location of the Rose Garden, was acquired by the Park District in 1930. The Men’s Garden Club of Highland Park engaged notable landscape architect Marshall J. Johnson, who was the son-in-law of Jens Jensen, to design Gardeners Memorial on the site of Laurel Park. Upon completion in 1942, Gardeners Memorial was presented to the City. The garden was designed as a commemoration of three Highland Park citizens who were instrumental in the development of Highland Park’s landscape heritage. The park design has three main components which relate to the principles of the man it honors: the rose garden in honor of William C. Egan, Highland Park’s first rosarian; a wildflower garden at the northeastern third of the park to honor Jessie Lowe Smith, a naturalist and local educator; and Players Hill at the southeastern section of the park in honor of Jens Jensen, naturalist and landscape architect. The site was designated a Local Landmark in 1992 (see Attachment 1). Staff has investigated the historic record and visited the site to determine which historic site elements are still intact. Staff concludes the site once resembled the 1942 Marshall Johnson Plan (see Attachment 2) but has been gradually altered over time. The following is an analysis of the three primary components of Gardeners Memorial. William Egan Rose Garden – Central Portion of Lot The Rose Garden was implemented as depicted by the Marshall Johnson plan and has largely retained its layout. However, many of the original roses planted in the garden did not adapt well to the climate through the years and have been replaced with hardy varieties. There was once a Page 5 of 85 pool of water at the center of the Rose Garden, but the pool was filled in between 1942 and 1988. In 2008 a rain garden was installed in front of the Rose Garden. Jesse Lowe Smith Wildflower Garden – Northeast Portion of Lot This portion of the site is marked by a stone that reads “Jesse Lowe Smith Native Garden.” The wildflower garden was originally intended to include a sizeable pool and council ring. However, the council ring was never implemented. According to the 1988 Landscape Survey (see Attachment 4), Johnson installed a stone sundial bench in place of the council ring. The pool was implemented but filled in between 1942 and 1988. An original stone retaining wall marks where the pool once stood. In 1959, Forest King, created by artist Abbott Pattison, was installed above the 1942 retaining wall. Jen Jensen’s Player’s Hill – Southeast Portion of Lot This portion of the site is marked by a stone that reads “Jens Jensen Native Garden.” The original design was not maintained, and as a result, the Player’s Hill retains little integrity of design. Staff concludes the site’s remaining historic features are the Rose Garden in its entirety, the stone sundial bench, and the stone retaining wall. The Rose Garden, sundial bench and stone retaining wall are confirmed to have existed in 1992. These features were known to the Historic Preservation Commission at the time of the Landmark Designation. The other site features depicted in the Marshall Johnson plan were either never implemented or do not retain sufficient integrity of design. Next Steps Staff recommends that the Historic Preservation Commission discuss the interaction between the Place of Remembrance design concept and the locally landmarked Rose Garden site. SWA will give a presentation explaining the relationship between the design and the history of the site. The City will submit an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness ("COA") in the Fall, once construction documents are drafted. Core Priorities: Fiscal Stability The engagement of Do Tank for the location feedback survey and focus group facilitation was $45,000. The cost of the first stage of SWA's service agreement (project administration; listening, discovery, and community engagement; schematic design) is $262,500 plus up to $21,000 in reimbursable expenses (8% of the costs). The estimate provided by SWA for the second stage (design development; construction documentation; construction administration) is $700,000 - $1,250,000. The final determination on stage two costs is being refined following the unified design and is anticipated to be presented to City Council on June 29, 2026. The City Council supported a preliminary budget of $2 million for construction of the Place of Remembrance. At the June 8, 2026 Committee of the Whole meeting, the City Council supported an updated budget of $2.3 - $2.8 million for the Rose Garden site with Port Clinton costs under development. Although Council direction was not to pursue active fundraising due to Page 6 of 85 the broad impact of the shooting on the community, the City has received several donations to support this project, most notably a restricted gift of $1 million from Jon & Mindy Gray among other similarly directed gifts for the Permanent Place of Remembrance. Public Safety The design concepts incorporate best practices for public safety and accessibility, including preservation of sightlines and hardscapes that support visitors who may be using mobility devices or pushing strollers. Infrastructure Investment The permanent Place of Remembrance will incorporate a primary installation at the Rose Garden and a subtle, secondary installation at Port Clinton Plaza. While the scale and nature of the designs will be different, each represents a significant infrastructure undertaking given the presence of existing structures at or adjacent to the site. Environmental Sustainability The design concepts take the City's commitment to environmentally sustainable practices into consideration through recommendations for native plantings and seasonality. Attachments: 1. Attachment 1. Laurel Park Gardeners Memorial Park Landmark Information 2. Attachment 2. Marshall Johnson Plan 3. Attachment 3. 1986 Survey 4. Attachment 4. 1988 Historic Landscape Survey 5. Attachment 5. Rose Garden Existing Conditions 6. Attachment 6. Place of Remembrance Communication Plan April 3, 2024 7. Attachment 7. Ideation Engagement Summary May 7 2026 8. Attachment 8. Unified Design Concept Presented at June 8 Special COTW Page 7 of 85  Highl&nd Park Historic PreseivaUon O:nrul.68lon • 1'107 St. Jdwl ~venue H19hland Park, 1111.noi& 60035 MUNITY OEVfLOPM[HT Lmi&rut JbdnaUon rom C1TY Of HIGHLAND rARK oa te 1_...;3;.:..l.:..;16~/.;.:92=-·_ 1) Nne of Pro~rty (original u kno,m) 1 Laurel Park & Gardener Memorial 2) sueet Addresai494 Laurel/1707 St. Johns Avenue, Highland Park, IL 60035 3) Legal descri~CI\ or P. I.N. (Pecnanent Index Nlltber frca 'lwnahJp AeeesW>r' 1 Office, 600 [Aurel Ave, , Bicjlland Pad:) ,,_ _ _ _ _ _ __ PIN 16-23-413-018 16-23-413-019 4) Name and Address of. Property Omer(a) (Fran Assessor's Offioe) ,_ __ Park District of Highland Park 636 Ridge Road, Highland Park, IL 60035 5) Present Oser___P-=a~r=k_ _ _ _ _6) Put Oset__P_a_rk_ _ _ _ _ __ 7) Architect: Marshall Johnson 8) ~te of. O:mstrucUons 1942 9) Wdtten statsnent describing property ard setting forth reasons lt 1s el i9ible for Landnark designations Laurel Park and Gardeners Memorial was presented to the City by the Men's • Garden Club in 1942. It was designed by Johnson, Jens Jensen's son-in-law, e o a ree citizens who were instrumental in the development of Highland Park's landscape heritage; Jessie Lowe Smith, natura st and _eAucator, William Eaan. Highland Park's 1st rosarian, and Jens Jensen, .naturalist and landscape architect. Each part of the park relates to the principles of the man lt honors. 10) ~ et.ruct.urt 1a tl1¢bl• for c5ea1pticn en the tas.11 of the follatlng criteria (eee rwerse pqeJ 1 1, 3, 5, 7, 8 11) ~Cs) and Adress(es) of ~kant(e)a Naine(a)a Ralph Cianchetti s Address(es 1 636 Ridge Road • Hig land Park, Il 6003S 12) Afflliat1Cll (0:mDSMion Med:ier. CAimer, City o:>mcil, Preservation ~,tt-e~~ Board of Park Commissioners, Park District of Highland Park Please ~ete ard return th1a fom to the Bighland Parlt Pre.eervat!cn Q:mn1BS1r.n 1707 St. Johns Avenue, Highland Park, nu.nots 60035 Page 8 of 85  AN ORDINANCE DESIGNATING HIGHLAND PARK LANDMARKS WHEREAS, the Historic Preservation Commission of the City of Highland Park, pursuant to Section 24 .025 of "The Highland Park Code of 1968", as amended, did conduct a public hearing on April 16, 1992, pursuant to proper notice; and WHEREAS, following said hearing, the said Historic Preservation Commission passed Resolution No. 05-92 (a copy of which resolution is attached hereto and made a part hereof as Exhibit I), which resolution contains the report of the Commission as well as a recommendation to the City Council of the City of Highland Park that Laurel Park and Gardeners Memorial Park ( hereinafter referred to as "Subject Property") be designated Highland Park Landmarks; and WHEREAS, the City Council has determined that the designation of the Subject Property will be consistent with the planning policies and objectives of the City, will promote the welfare of its residents, and will not adversely affect the value, use, or enjoyment of any adjacent or nearby property; and WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Highland Park believes it to be in the best interests of the residents of the City of Highland Park that the Subject Property be designated as Landmarks; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HIGHLAND PARK, LAKE COUNTY, ILLINOIS: SECTION ONE: That, pursuant to Section 24.025 of "The Highland Park Code of 1968", as amended, the following described properties be and the same are designated hereby as Landmarks: Laurel Park 494 Laurel Avenue 16-23-413-018 Gardeners Memorial Park 1707 St. Johns Avenue 16-23-413-019 and as such shall be subject hereafter to the provisions of Chapter 24 of "The Highland Park Code of 1968", as amended. SECTION TWO: That, as notice of the action of this City Council, the City Clerk shall forward certified copies hereof to those who nominated the aforedescribed properties as Landmarks, to the owner of record of the aforementioned Landmarks, and to the Building Department of the City of Highland Park. SECTION THREE; That this ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage, approval, and publication in the manner provided by law. AYES: Mayor Pierce and Councilmen Blane, Brenner, Weiss, O'Keefe and Koukos NAYS: None ABSENT: Councilman Geraci PASSED: May 26, 1992 APPROVED: May 26, 1992 PUBLISHED: June 4, 1992 ORDINANCE NO: 16-92 ATTEST: City C l e ~ , t ) , / J ~ Page 9 of 85 Regular Meeting - City Council May 26, 1992 -7- 5. Mr. Bob Sanders, 1852 Park Avenue West, inquired about special assessments for storm sewer installation, storm sewer connection, and the culvert on Park Avenue West. OMNIBUS VOTE The Council unanimously consented to take a single vote by yeas and nays on several items grouped together for voting purposes under the designation "omnibus vote". Councilman Weiss moved approval of Items 13, 14 and 15. Councilman Koukos seconded the motion. Upon roll call: Yeas: Mayor Pierce and Councilmen Blane, Brenner, Weiss, O'Keefe and Koukos Nays: None The Mayor declared that the motion carried. 13. Ordinance - Designating Highland Park Landmarks a. 892 Burton Avenue Adoption of an Ordinance (No. 14-92), designating 892 Burton Avenue as a Highland Park Landmark. Omnibus Vote b. Rosewood Park Adoption of an Ordinance (No. 15-92), designating Rosewood Park, located at the foot of Roger Williams Avenue at Lake Michigan, as a Highland Park Landmark. Omnibus Vote c. Laurel Park/Gardeners Memorial Park Adoption of an Ordinance (No. 16-92), designating Laurel Park, 494 Laurel Avenue, and Gardeners Memorial Park, 1707 St. Johns Avenue, as Highland Park Landmarks. Omnibus Vote 14. Ordinance - Establishing "W" Parking Permits Adoption of an Ordinance (No. 17-92) entitled "AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE TRAFFIC REGULATIONS OF "THE HIGHLAND PARK CODE OF 1968", AS AMENDED", providing for a "W" parking permit; and prohibiting parking at all times on the west side of Midlothian Avenue between Glenview and Onwentsia Avenues. Omnibus Vote Page 10 of 85 Regular Meeting - City Council May 26, 1992 -8- 15. Ordinance - Granting a Non-Exclusive Special License to Bojan's Auto Body of Highland Park. Inc. Adoption of an Ordinance (No. 18-92) entitled "AN ORDINANCE GRANTING A NON- EXCLUSIVE SPECIAL LICENSE TO BOJAN'S AUTO BODY OF HIGHLAND PARK, INC. FOR THE PREMISES LOCATED AT 2058 FIRST STREET", permitting the awnings to encroach 2' over the public right-of-way at 2058 First Street. Omnibus Vote 16. Release of Easements - Highland Lakes Subdivision Councilman O'Keefe moved to table this Item to a future City Council Meeting. Councilman Brenner seconded the motion. Upon roll call: Yeas: Mayor Pierce and Councilmen Blane, Brenner, Weiss, O'Keefe and Koukos Nays: None The Mayor declared that the motion carried. OTHER BUSINESS FROM STAFF There was no other busines from staff this evening. ADJOURNMENT With no further business to conduct, Councilman Koukos moved to adjourn. The motion was seconded by Councilman Brenner and passed by acclamation. The Council adjourned its meeting at 10:25 p.m. City Clerk Page 11 of 85  Owner Consent Form • for Highland Park Landmark NomlnaUon Date: March 23, 1992 The undersigned owner of the property located at 494 Laurel Ave. /1707 St. Johns Ave. (Laurel Park & Gardener Hemorial Park) (address), in the city of Highland Park. Illinois, hereby tt approves consent for the above property to be nominated by the Highland Park H{storic Preservation CommJssJon for designation as a Highland Park Landmark ( ) disapproves consent for the above property to be nominated by the Highland Park Historic Preservation Commission for designation as a Highland Park Landmark. • (Please place an "X" 1n the appropriate space.) Print Name(s) Jerome c, Eel J Address 636 Ridge Road, ll!P, IL Phone# 831-3810 • Page 12 of 85 , / ft - • CITY Of HIGHLAND PARK .:. ·, '""a! i ~~.; $' - .: .. ~-c :;;::-. : •: I .:~:-:e:( March 25, 1992 Jor ... s A,e°'~e "",C ! :-:t:::. Ms. Connie SkJbbe Director of Parks & Recreation Park District of Highland Park 636 Ridge Road Highland Park, IL 60035 Dear Conrue: • 1111s letter is to inform you that the Highland Park Historic Preservation Commission will hold a publlc hearing on Thursday, Aprtl 16, 1992, to make an official recommendation to the Cfty Council that Laurel Park & Gardener Memorial be designated as a H1ghland Park landmark. A public noUce will be publlshed 1n the Pioneer Press not more than 30 days nor less than 7 days prior to the heartng. • The meeUng will commence at 7:30 PM. It Is not required that you attend, but you are welcome if you so desire. Please call me if you have any questions. The Historic Preservation CommJss1on thanks you for your participation 1n the local landmarks program. Sincerely, unity Development MJK:aaw :·cc: Irv Wagner. Chairman Historic Preservation CommJssion • Page 13 of 85 Page 14 of 85 Page 15 of 85 Page 36 For a short period, in 1934-35 Jensen and Johnson became partners. When Jensen retired to the Clearing in Door County, Wisconsin in 1935, Marshall Johnson established his own practice. He used the hawthorn tree logo, and continued to work for many of Jensen's private clients including the Fords in Michigan and the Florsheims in Highland Park. Johnson's designs combined Jensen's Prairie style with the more traditional and formal design elements. In addition, he successfully adapted the designs to the smaller lot sizes and modern needs of his clients. He continued his practice into the late 1960's. Women's Club, L-1991 Sheridan Rd., D- 1936, A-, LA- Fritz Bahr/ Marshall Johnson, Des - no According to Highland Park By Foot or Frame the Women's Club landscape was designed by Fritz Bahr in 1936. However, there is an original plan dated 1937 by Marshall Johnson for this property. The siting of the building is consistent with the Johnson drawing. The present plantings give no indication whether or not Johnson's plan was executed. Laurel Park/ Gardener's Memorial L- St. Johns Avenue between Hazel Ave. and Laurel Ave., D- 1942, A-, LA- Marshall Johnson, Des- NR District, LL Laurel Park/ Gardener's Memorial was designed by Marshall Johnson for the Men's Garden Club of Highland Park to commemorate three highly regarded local naturalists: William C. Egan, Jesse Lowe Smith, and Jens Jensen. This landscape is an example of Johnson's ability to incorporate formal and naturalistic styles successfully into a unified design plan. When the Park was finished and dedicated in 1942, Jensen came back to Highland Park from "The Clearing" to attend the ceremony. The formal section of the Park is the rose garden, which was a collaboration between Johnson and Eugene Pfister, president of the Men's Garden Club. This section was created in honor of William C. Egan because he was the first rosarian in the area (see pp. 16 and 21). A wildflower garden at the northeastern third of the Park was meant to honor Jessie Lowe Smith, naturalist and local educator who fostered a love for nature in his students (seep. 21). Players Hill, an area at the southeastern section of the Park is a reminder of Jens Jensen and his many contributions to Highland Park. Currently plans are being developed by the Park District and the Historic Preservation Commission to restore Laurel Park/ Gardener's Memorial. The original configuration and shape of the rose beds are almost Page 16 of 85 Page 37 exactly intact. Many of the original roses planted in the garden did not adapt well to the climate and through the years they have been replaced with alternate variaties. Clayton Sandel, an early member of the Men's Garden Club is currently evaluating the roses to determine the best possible cultivars which combine hardiness and original design intent. The Rose Garden once had a round pool in the center which is now filled and planted with flowers, but will be reinstated to its original use. The tall hedge buckthorn enclosing the Rose Garden is now sparse and shabby in appearance. When the garden was planned that cultivar was new and popularly received. Since then it has been found to have many disease problems which ruin its appearance and shorten its life. A search is now being made to find a similar but healthier plant. The two natural sections, the Native Wildflower Garden and Players Hill are more difficult to evaluate and research is still being conducted. The sundial bench and the rocky ledge pool in the Wildflower Garden are intact, though the pool has been filled in. The sundial is actually not included in the original plan. It appears that it was used as an alternative to a council ring which was included at approximately the same location on the plan. Koretz House, L-2365 Egandale Rd., D- 1948, A-, LA- Marshall Johnson, Des- no This small residential landscape is still owned by Johnson's original client, Mr. Robert Koretz. A copy of the original Johnson plan for this property was made available for the survey. The O'ri:ginal plan primarily reflects the Prairie style, but the landscape has undergone some changes over the years. Today it is an eclectic statement, combining the Prairie style with English features. Originally, the property had a curving stone path leading to the front door and a stonework area beneath the front portico. The front entranceway was changed in 1956. At this time, the stone path was replaced with a brick path, and the stonework portico area was removed. An English style country dooryard perennial garden was also added in front of the house at that time. An original brick path leads to one side of the house and widens as it nears the backyard. This stonework is well intact. The backyard is similar to the original plan only in feeling. It still appears to be a carved out space. However, most of the plant materials specified in the original plan no longer exist except for sumac, some viburnum and crab. The council ring campfire which was previously at the rear of the backyard has also been removed. Some of the other original stone paths at the back of the house also still exist. Herman Wren House, C- Seven Gables, L- 2020 Partridge Lane, A- Robert Arnold, LA- Marshall Johnson, D- 1963, Des- no This property illustrates the point that Johnson was far more pragmatic, and willing to incorporate formal design into his overall plans than Jensen. In addition, it might be speculated that Johnson was more willing to deviate Page 17 of 85 Page 18 of 85 Planning for a Permanent Place of Remembrance: Communications Plan April 3, 2024 Page 19 of 85 Values The following are the City of Highland Park Community Values as the City prepares for a place of remembrance following the shooting that took place on July 4, 2022. The working group’s approach will be trauma-informed, and meetings and discussion should serve as a safe space for ongoing discussions. Community Values Inclusion Transparency Respect and value all opinions The outcome will last for decades into the future 2 Page 20 of 85 Purpose A communications plan includes objectives that align with the overall project, identifies key stakeholders and communications channels, sets timelines and allocates resources, outlines strategies to address potential communication risks, and includes ongoing evaluation to ensure objectives are being met. The process of planning for a place of remembrance is just beginning. This presentation focuses on: – Objectives – Stakeholders – Channels – General Timelines 3 Page 21 of 85 Guiding Principles for Communications • Do No Harm: consider as carefully and as thoroughly as possible the potential and inadvertent consequences of the words and images we use • Opt-In: as much as possible, give individuals the opportunity to decide how and when to engage with content • Trauma-Informed: work to avoid re-traumatization by using victim- centered language, being cognizant of the potential for inadvertent harm, and practicing transparency and open communication • Individualized: consider many experiences of trauma, including within stakeholder groups, when planning the frequency and modality of communications 4 Page 22 of 85 Objectives 1. Keep the community informed of the activities of the working group and milestones in the planning process. 2. Tailor messaging to the needs of each stakeholder group. 3. Maintain two-way communication and facilitate community engagement. 4. Ensure transparency by promoting meetings and providing resources and documents related to the planning process. 5. Enhance accessibility by providing materials in multiple languages and formats to meet the diverse communication needs of individuals impacted by the shooting. 5 Page 23 of 85 Objective 1: Keep the Community Informed The City uses multiple communications platforms to share information regarding the planning process: – Website: hpremembrance.org – Facebook: facebook.com/HighlandParkIL – Weekly eNews: cityhpil.com/signup – Dedicated email list: email remembrance@cityhpil.com to sign up – The Highlander: bimonthly print newsletter 6 Page 24 of 85 Objective 1: Keep the Community Informed Additional communications modalities: – Public meetings • Working group meetings open to the public • Updates at City Council meetings • Neighborhood meetings • Forthcoming community engagement meetings – Partner organizations • Resource partners • Government partners • Business community • Clergy – Media outreach 7 Page 25 of 85 Objective #2: Tailor Messaging to Stakeholders • Identify core messages and adapt delivery based on the needs of different stakeholder groups: – Next-of-kin Family Members – Individuals Present & Injured – Individuals Present & Uninjured – Highland Park Community – Community Beyond Highland Park – Government/Resource Partners & Clergy • Establish a cadence to set consistent expectations for the frequency, volume, and type of communication • Create an archive of communications so that community members can opt in or out without fear of missing important information 8 Page 26 of 85 Objective #3: Facilitate Community Engagement • Work with a professional consultant to design, manage and analyze community feedback in a trauma-informed manner • Provide multiple ways to share feedback • Offer structured and unstructured opportunities for feedback 9 Page 27 of 85 Objective #4: Ensure Transparency • Promote public meetings of the working group • Provide periodic public updates from the working group at City Council meetings and in City communications • Maintain an archive of meeting notes, documents and presentations at hpremembrance.org so that people who are unable to attend meetings can still participate 10 Page 28 of 85 Objective #5: Enhance Accessibility • Enhance language accessibility by: – Using an embedded website translation tool – Providing materials in Spanish, Russian, and other languages as requested – Offering simultaneous interpretation (including ASL) for events • Enhance website accessibility by: – Optimizing website design for assistive technology • Remove barriers to participation in engagement activities by: – Offering opportunities to connect or share feedback through a variety of different modalities – Working with resource partners to meet people where they are • Apply trauma-informed principles by: – Making people aware of when to expect communications – Ensuring communications are always available for reference – Providing advance notice of potentially re-traumatizing topics – Collaborating with community partners so they are aware of the communications plan and able to assist clients – Including reminders of Resiliency Division services 11 Page 29 of 85 Setting Expectations: Type & Frequency What to Expect How Often Meeting Notices (eNews, FB, Week prior to meeting Note: website, email) Information will be Meeting Summary (eNews, eNews immediately following archived at website, email) most recent meeting hpremembrance.org Bimonthly Update (Highlander) Each issue Individuals may opt- Focus group or other event Week prior to event out (or opt back in) (eNews, FB, website, email) at any time Community surveys (eNews, Announcement, periodic FB, website, email) reminders during survey period, reminder before close) 12 Page 30 of 85 Setting Expectations: Use of Images & Graphics What image or graphic? Where is it used? Together Highland Park Unidos Social media, email blasts, Note: Logo signage, website, print The City is Photos of the temporary Website, social media (for intentional about the memorial social media, only the two use of imagery or entrance plaques) graphics. These are the only types of Photos of victims Temporary memorial only images you can Generic “stock” photos: City Social media, occasionally print expect the City to Hall, lakefront, candles, etc. use in relation to FUTURE: design renderings, Website, social media, print, planning for a prototypes, maquettes email blasts, signage (at permanent place of events) remembrance. 13 Page 31 of 85 Contact Information Feedback regarding communications: Ghida S. Neukirch Amanda Bennett City Manager Communications Manager gneukirch@cityhpil.com abennett@cityhpil.com Information regarding the Resiliency Division: Emily Taub Madeline Kati, LCSW Assistant City Manager Resiliency Manager etaub@cityhpil.com mkati@cityhpil.com 14 Page 32 of 85 Questions? Page 33 of 85 Highland Park Place of Remembrance Phase 1 | Public Engagement Summary May 7, 2026 Page 34 of 85 Table of Contents Introduction 3 Overarching Themes 7 Site-Specific Themes 14 Design Character Preferences 19 In Closing 35 Page 35 of 85 Introduction The City of Highland Park, in partnership with SWA Group and All Together, is undertaking a trauma-informed process to create a permanent place of remembrance to pay tribute to the memory of the seven victims of the Highland Park shooting, create space(s) for reflection and remembrance, and honor the community’s resiliency, especially those who were injured. This process entails multiple phases described in detail at hpremembrance.org/timeline. This report, prepared by All Together, synthesizes all community input gathered during Phase 1: Design Ideation of the Highland Park Place of Remembrance design process. This included a multi-tiered survey, individual and group listening sessions, and a community workshop, all conducted between February and April 2026. Feedback gathered throughout Phase 1 will inform high-level design features and the overall feel of the permanent Place of Remembrance, providing the foundation for concept designs developed in Phase 2: Design Concepts, which will include additional opportunities for community engagement. Page 36 of 385 Our Design Ideation Timeline Phase 1 builds on a prior location study, with Do Tank, which concluded in January 2025 with a recommendation for a two-site approach: a prominent primary Place of Remembrance at the Rose Garden and a subtle, secondary Place of Remembrance at Port Clinton. The City Council supported the recommendation in April 2025. This first round of engagement gave the design team, SWA Group and All Together, the opportunity to learn about victims and their loved ones, understand which design elements matter most, and gather open-ended input to inform early concept development. Multi-Tiered Engagement This engagement process started with those most closely connected and expanded out to the entire Highland Park community and our neighbors. Every voice we heard was valuable in shaping this summary of engagement and furthering design concepts. For this document, references to each tier include but are not limited to the following: Tier 1 Tier 2 Tier 3 Next of kin, present and injured, first Present not injured, parade Community members and responders (Police, Fire, EMS, and participants, community leadership, organizations at large others who provided direct on-scene resource partners, businesses, care and response), and healthcare volunteers, first responders, donors, workers and others who provided support as part of the initial response and emergency management efforts, and those who live and work in proximity to either site Page 37 of 485 How We Engaged February March April One-on-one Committee Small group Initial Historic Ideation Survey Community Community with Tier 1 of the Whole sessions with Preservation for Tier 1 and Ideation Ideation (February, Listening Tier 1 and Tier 2 Commission Tier 2 (March Survey for Tier Workshop, March, and April) Session (March and April) Consideration and April), offered 3 (Throughout offered in English (February) (March) in English and March and April), and Spanish Spanish offered in English (April) and Spanish Page 38 of 585 Communications Strategy The Phase 1 communications plan included differentiated outreach to each tier, including email, telephone, and written outreach as appropriate to the needs of each tier. Updates and promotions were included in the Highlander, the City eNews, and social media, and were co-promoted by government and community partners, including a live video interview on the Highland Park Public Library’s Caminando Juntos livestream. The Resiliency Division also offered direct engagement through tabling events at the Highland Park Public Library and personal outreach to Tier 1. Who We Heard From Phase 1 engagement resulted in 179 voices: 124 survey respondents and 55 additional participants across listening sessions and the workshop. 22 102 55 179 Tier 1 Survey Community Survey Listening Session + Total Voices Respondents Respondents Workshop Participants Page 39 of 685 Overarching Themes Across all engagement formats (surveys, individual listening sessions, group listening sessions, and the community workshop), six themes emerged with the greatest consistency. These are the threads that ran through nearly every conversation. Page 40 of 85 Name the seven whose lives were taken. Acknowledge all who were harmed. The most universally held position across all engagement: names of those whose lives were taken should appear in the design, given prominence, and clearly Additional feedback acknowledged. “How can the individuality of each suggested including the person who died come across in 48 individuals who were Names of the seven the design, in a way that is intimate physically injured and without being overt?” acknowledgment to the whose lives were taken Tier 1 Listening Session Participant broader population whose were a consistent and emotionally significant lives were changed without request from Tier 1 voices, particularly from visible wounds; both should be reflected in those who survived with injuries. the space in some form. Many stakeholders indicated this should be done discreetly, without naming, but still meaningfully. Language acknowledging being ‘forever changed’ was suggested. Overarching 41 of 885 Themes Page Honor the people and communities that showed up. Participants across all groups described a community that sheltered and cared for people who were injured, organized mutual aid, and came together to provide support. That story of ordinary people doing extraordinary things was named as something the design should carry forward. “So many heroes and people, you can’t even account for all of the heroic actions. The community cares and showed up, and there’s a lot that future generations can take from that.” Tier 2 Listening Session Participant “Heroism” across first responders, healthcare workers, institutions, and communities was specifically named as something that should be reflected in the design. Mutual aid from surrounding communities was specifically raised as something worth acknowledging beyond Highland Park alone. The design offers an opportunity to honor that broader community of care. Overarching 42 of 985 Themes Page Tell the story of the full community, not only what happened. When participants were asked what they hoped future generations would understand “A story of a community when visiting the Place of Remembrance, their answers were consistent: that Highland that remembers with care, Park is a community that cares deeply for stands together in the face one another. Several participants framed of loss, and balances grief resilience as a statement around community with everyday life.” and relationships. The parade has always been Tier 1 Survey Respondent a multi-generational event that, for decades, brought the entire community (and surrounding areas) together. Families, friends, and neighbors chose to care for one another throughout the event and long after. The shooting does not define who this community is, but how people showed up for each other in its wake does. The design and the stories it tells should hold both what was taken and what this community proved itself to be. Overarching 43 of 10 Themes Page 85 Design for remembrance in every season. Year-round vitality was the most consistent design request across all formats and groups. Participants did not want a space that looks grey and barren for six months of the year. They described a place that holds up in winter through evergreen plantings, materials that age with dignity, and design that does not rely solely on flowers or foliage to carry meaning. In many sessions, participants described that “Pretty and well-taken care the seasonality of the Place of Remembrance could reflect the process of grief, life, and new of regardless of the season. beginnings. Native plants that thrive in Chicago This is especially tough conditions were specifically preferred. Several during winter.” participants also raised the symbolic dimension Tier 1 Survey Respondent of seasonality: spring as renewal, winter as quiet persistence. The design should hold meaning year-round, not only in bloom. Overarching 44 of 11 Themes Page 85 Hold space for cultural diversity with intention. The majority of those whose lives were taken were Latino and/or Jewish. Multiple participants asked that the design honor those specific communities, “Butterflies and hummingbirds are important for the Latino not as an afterthought but as community. They symbolize transformation — a visit of the a core design responsibility. soul from a loved one.” Participants offered concrete, Tier 2 Workshop Participant specific ideas: marigolds and Mexican sunflowers as culturally significant Several participants named the risk of design plants; butterflies and hummingbirds as symbols that gestures broadly toward the community of transformation; a place for pilgrimage as is without honoring anyone in particular. The Jewish tradition, and a place for a celebration of request was to be specific: to name the life after death as is the Latino/Christian tradition, communities, to include their symbols, to and that the Spanish language be included in design with enough cultural knowledge that the any physical signage or inscriptions that may be references are legible to those for whom they incorporated into the design. carry meaning, and discoverable for those who want to learn more. Overarching 45 of 12 Themes Page 85 Let people choose when, and whether, to engage. Participants expressed a consistent and deeply felt need: the ability to choose when, how, and whether to engage with the Place of Remembrance. This came from many directions and people with varied experiences. Some are grieving and want to intentionally seek out the space. Others need to be able to move through downtown Highland Park, go to work, bring their kids to events at Port Clinton, or simply have lunch without being pulled into a somber experience they are not ready for. First responders and other city staff who worked the day of the shooting, throughout the investigation, and continuing to the present, “Some people will come to grieve, some to remember, some described the emotional simply to sit. The space should hold all of that without telling weight of regular proximity anyone how to feel.” to reminders of the event. Tier 3 Survey Respondent Community members who live and work near both sites asked that the design not make grief unavoidable. The same request came from those who spend time near both sites in their daily lives: the design should allow people to step in when they choose to, and step past when they need to. This principle has implications for both sites and for the connection between them. At the Rose Garden, it means clear entry and exit points, a space that holds meaning without imposing it on those working or walking nearby. At Port Clinton, it means a presence that is intentional, that celebrates this community while acknowledging what happened and creating conditions where people retain agency over their own experience. Overarching 46 of 13 Themes Page 85 Site-Specific Themes Across all engagement formats (surveys, individual listening sessions, group listening sessions, and the community workshop), participants found common ground around how they’d like each site to feel. Page 47 of 85 The Rose Garden The Rose Garden carries the broadest support as the primary, dedicated site for remembrance. Agreement on this designation holds across all tiers of engagement and is consistent with Do Tank’s findings in 2025. What the Space Should Include • Acknowledgment of the seven lives taken and • Full ADA accessibility, including smooth, even those injured pathways; no gravel; and snow- and salt-clearable • Comfortable seating, including benches with • Cultural sensitivity with elements that honor backs, shaded, and designed to invite reflection Jewish and Latino traditions • Living plantings with year-round color • Sensory elements that ground you in the space • A water feature for emotional regulation and through color, texture, and sound are woven sensory engagement (note: Participants noted throughout that design constraints around maintenance and • Intentional plant selection where species names cost should be considered) and symbolism are considered • Clear sightlines throughout, because visibility • Presence beyond the garden’s edge, including supports safety and agency for trauma survivors subtle connections to the roadway so the space • Multiple entry/exit points, including preserved isn’t hidden or invisible to passersby access from the City Hall rear parking lot • Meaning to future generations who were not • Design elements that honor the site’s existing present history as a landmark Site-Specific 48 of 15 Themes Page 85 What The Rose Garden Should Feel Like Contemplative Natural Peaceful Private Reflective Serene Site-Specific 49 of 16 Themes Page 85 Port Clinton Plaza Port Clinton Plaza is the heart of downtown and the site of the shooting. It serves as an actively used public space in Highland Park, hosting 20–25 events, businesses, and numerous other activations each year. This subtle, secondary site for the Place of Remembrance will give us an opportunity to acknowledge the lives taken and resilience of the community while also being respectful of this premiere destination, place of business, primary residence, and public space. What Port Clinton Should Feel Like What the Space Should Include • Acknowledgment that the shooting happened here, Everyday honoring the lives taken while also affirming the lives that continue Dynamic • Elements that foster its continued function as downtown’s heart, and a multi-functional space that welcomes everyday life, businesses, and special events Layered • Plants and natural elements to soften the brick-heavy plaza, signaling care without requiring engagement with the memorial Vibrant • Symbolism honoring the seven victims whose lives were taken through plantings or other design elements • Structurally significant enough that people don’t walk or Resilient play on it, but that it doesn’t distract from the everyday experience at Port Clinton Welcoming Site-Specific 50 of 17 Themes Page 85 Connections between the Sites Most participants expressed that the two sites should feel related without being literally linked. A physical path or breadcrumb trail between them was specifically flagged as inappropriate. Instead, participants described something quieter: a shared element that speaks between the sites without announcing itself. A symbolic or visual echo was the most consistent request, with participants suggesting shared color, plant species, artwork, or material that appears at both sites and carries meaning without explanation. Page 51 of 18 85 Design Character Preferences During Phase 1: Design Ideation, participants engaged with mood boards that included representative images of different design elements and aesthetic directions that could be incorporated into the Place of Remembrance at the Rose Garden or Port Clinton. Images were grouped to represent these different directions, and participants shared where their preferences fell along the spectrum. This feedback helped the design team to identify areas of consensus and where opinions varied. Page 52 of 85 Community Ideation Results Tier 1 Tier 2-3 Workshop / Dimension Options Survey Avg Survey Avg Listening Sum of Preference (Scale: 1-3) (Scale: 1-3) Sessions Movement 1. Informal: Loose, 1.85 1.83 Preference for Semi-formal; curvilinear; Open, Naturalistic option 2 meditative flow 2. Semi-Formal: Curvilinear, Organic, Flowing 3. Formal: Linear, Direct, Hard Material 1. Soft, Loose, Natural, 1.82 1.77 Preference for Natural, accessible; no Dynamic, Atmospheric options 1 gravel and 2 2. Defined but Natural, Rough Edges 3. Hard, Clean, Crisp, Clear Page 53 of 20 Design Character Preferences 85 Community Ideation Results Tier 1 Tier 2-3 Workshop / Dimension Options Survey Avg Survey Avg Listening Sum of Preference (Scale: 1-3) (Scale: 1-3) Sessions Color 1. Naturalistic, Softer, 1.96 1.92 Preference for Midpoint; outlier tension Earthier options 2 and 3 2. Quiet, Cool, Relaxed 3. Bright, Cheerful, Exuberant Night 1. Soft Accents, 1.70 1.68 Preference for Quiet at Rose Garden; Presence Atmospheric, Ambient option 1 at expressive at Port Clinton Rose Garden 2. Defined, Strong, and option 3 Bold at Port Clinton 3. Dynamic, Sculptural Page 54 of 21 Design Character Preferences 85 Community Ideation Results Tier 1 Tier 2-3 Workshop / Dimension Options Survey Avg Survey Avg Listening Sum of Preference (Scale: 1-3) (Scale: 1-3) Sessions Nature 1. Ecological, Dynamic, 2.12 2.06 Preference for Curated/naturalistic — Informal option 2 strongest consensus 2. Curated but Dynamic, Naturalistic, Sculptural 3. Formal, Architectural, Familiar Memory 1. Simple, Minimal, 1.81 1.75 Preference for Simple to narrative; keep Reserved options 1 and the ‘7’ 2 2. Narrative Driven, Informative 3. Abstract, Representative Page 55 of 22 Design Character Preferences 85 Movement Directions OPTION 1 OPTION 2 OPTION 3 ✓ 1 3 Informal Semi-Formal Formal Page 56 of 23 Design Character Preferences 85  DIMENSION 1 OF 6 Movement TIER 1 1.85 TIER 2−3 1.83 1− Informal 2—Semi-Formal 3—Formal WORKSHOP / SESSION PREFERENCE Option 1 Option 2 Option 3 Key Takeaways • Curved paths, spirals, and a more flowing layout I like the idea of mindfulness in this • The act of walking as meditative, including movement and paths space. Walking along rocks, feeling that take you somewhere without feeling rushed or directed that sensory moment, and using • Plantings that move a visitor through the sense of place, using the landscape itself as a guide that as a way to meditate/process privately. • No large solid walls to avoid feeling “boxed in” but easy to find a private space as you move through Tier 1 Listening Session Participant • Railings for those who need support, smooth walkways for those with walkers or canes, lighting for the days when it gets dark early Page 57 of 24 Design Character Preferences 85 Material Directions OPTION 1 OPTION 2 OPTION 3 ✓ ✓ 1 3 Soft/Natural Defined Hard/Crisp Page 58 of 25 Design Character Preferences 85  DIMENSION 2 OF 6 Material TIER 1 1.82 TIER 2−3 1.77 1− Soft/Natural 2—Defined 3—Hard/Crisp WORKSHOP / SESSION PREFERENCE Option 1 Option 2 Option 3 Key Takeaways • Natural materials overall, including wood, textured stone, and When you think of material, organic forms accessibility is the first thing that • Elements that age gracefully and signal care comes to my mind. Whatever • Accessibility as the primary driver when considering material, direction we go with this — ADA which should include non-slip surfaces, clear-able from snow and salt, wheelchair- and walker-compatible friendly and inviting. • Regional materials, including stone native to this geography Tier 1 Listening Session Participant • Material choices that don’t create climbable elements • Seasonal plant material Page 59 of 26 Design Character Preferences 85 Color Directions OPTION 1 OPTION 2 OPTION 3 ✓ ✓ 1 3 Earthy Quiet/Cool Bright Page 60 of 27 Design Character Preferences 85  DIMENSION 3 OF 6 Color TIER 1 1.96 TIER 2−3 1.92 1− Earthy 2—Quiet/Cool 3—Bright WORKSHOP / SESSION PREFERENCE Option 1 Option 2 Option 3 Key Takeaways • Some participants expressed a preference for a quieter, ecological Despite what happened, this palette, including pale pinks, purples, whites, and natural tones community has so much joy. • Some participants expressed a preference for vibrant, culturally-specific color I think colors are beautiful incorporated through plantings of meaningful varieties such as marigolds and and important. They bring us Mexican sunflowers • A naturalistic palette can include vibrant colors through living material that natural joy. reads as quiet from a distance and specific up close Tier 1 Listening Session Participant • Kaleidoscope/reflected light as a way to introduce color through material and light • Color infused through non-plant materials as an alternative to plant color alone • Seasonality is considered, so color is present even when plants are dormant Page 61 of 28 Design Character Preferences 85 Night Presence Directions OPTION 1 OPTION 2 OPTION 3 ✓ ✓ 1 3 Soft/Ambient Bold Dynamic/Sculptural Page 62 of 29 Design Character Preferences 85  DIMENSION 4 OF 6 Night Presence TIER 1 1.70 TIER 2−3 1.68 1− Soft/Ambient 2— Bold 3—Dynamic/Sculptural WORKSHOP / SESSION PREFERENCE Rose Garden Option 1 Option 2 Option 3 Port Clinton Plaza Option 1 Option 2 Option 3 Key Takeaways • Light that feels intentional and used for accessibility and safety Light could be used not only • (Rose Garden at night): Softer, more atmospheric accents. Concerns as an accent, but as part of about dark-sky compliance were raised because the space is near the the memorial. ravine ecosystem and visible from residential properties Tier 1 Survey Respondent • (Port Clinton at night): Expressive and experiential use of light that is interactive, kid-friendly and engaging Page 63 of 30 Design Character Preferences 85 Nature Directions OPTION 1 OPTION 2 OPTION 3 Nature Directions ✓ 1 3 Ecological Curated Formal Page 64 of 31 Design Character Preferences 85  DIMENSION 5 OF 6 Nature TIER 1 2.12 TIER 2−3 2.06 1− Ecological 2—Curated 3—Formal WORKSHOP / SESSION PREFERENCE Option 1 Option 2 Option 3 Key Takeaways • Curated, organic, and flowing It is important for it to feel • The meaning behind plant choices (cultural, symbolic, seasonal) should organic and not overly be intentional and communicated through an appropriate modality planned. People want to feel • Participants shared the idea of layering elements and experiences, comfortable and welcoming including more private areas for respite and purposeful but not overly • Native plants that thrive in Chicago conditions and create a sense of life structured. year-round Tier 2 Listening Session Participant • Plants that attract pollinators serve both ecological and cultural purposes, including butterflies, which carry meaning in the Latino community Page 65 of 32 Design Character Preferences 85 Memory Directions OPTION 1 OPTION 2 OPTION 3 ✓ ✓ 1 3 Ambient Bold Dynamic/Sculptural Page 66 of 33 Design Character Preferences 85  DIMENSION 6 OF 6 Memory TIER 1 1.81 TIER 2−3 1.75 1−Simple/Minimal 2—Narrative 3—Abstract WORKSHOP / SESSION PREFERENCE Option 1 Option 2 Option 3 Key Takeaways • Names of the seven victims whose lives were taken in a I don’t know her favorite simple yet profound approach flower, but I know she loved • Keep the seven as a recurring motif and as a symbolic anchor to make the world more of design beautiful. • Abstract elements as an alternative to literal memorial forms Tier 2 Listening Session Participant, speaking about a family member lost in the shooting Page 67 of 34 Design Character Preferences 85 In Closing This summary was prepared by All Together as part of the Highland Park Place of Remembrance design engagement process. All Together partnered with SWA Group, the project’s lead design firm, to facilitate Phase 1 engagement, synthesize community input, and translate the full range of voices heard across surveys, listening sessions, and the community workshop into themes and direction that can meaningfully guide SWA Group’s concept development in Phase 2. The perspectives gathered here represent 179 voices across all tiers of engagement, and they carry the weight of lived experience, ongoing grief, and deep investment in how this community chooses to remember. It is our collective responsibility as designers, engagement partners, and stewards of this process to honor what was shared with care and with fidelity as we move into the next phase of this work. Page 68 of 35 85 Questions? Visit hpremembrance.org for more information, or contact remembrance@cityhpil.com Page 69 of 85 Woven Together A naturalistic garden framed by seven ‘Remembrance Niches’ is tied together with a gently meandering path and a babbling through-line of water. Page 70 of 85  LIBRARY COUNCIL RING 48 MAPLES SCREENING HEDGE ENTRY SIGN AND ASPEN GROVE PICNIC GREEN ST JOHNS AVE RAVIN E NAME PLAQUES REFLECTION SPACE WOVEN GARDEN ADA ACCESS REMEMBRANCE CITY HALL N NICHES - 7 TOTAL 0’ 8’ 16’ Woven Together: Rose Garden Site Plan Highland Park Place of Remembrance | Refined Concept Design | 06.08.2026 Page 71 of 85 Woven Together (+ Water Feature) Page 72 of 85  LIBRARY COUNCIL RING WATER FEATURE 48 MAPLES SCREENING HEDGE ENTRY SIGN AND ASPEN GROVE PICNIC GREEN ST JOHNS AVE RAVIN E NAME PLAQUES REFLECTION SPACE WOVEN GARDEN ADA ACCESS REMEMBRANCE CITY HALL N NICHES - 7 TOTAL 0’ 8’ 16’ Woven Together: Rose Garden Site Plan + Water Features Highland Park Place of Remembrance | Refined Concept Design | 06.08.2026 Page 73 of 85  Approach and Context • The design is set back from St Johns but connected by a gentle, accessible path connecting to the street and City Hall. • Upright maples and low screening hedges frame the Place of Remembrance to ensure low visual impact between the space and adjacent uses. Woven Together: Walkthrough Highland Park Place of Remembrance | Refined Concept Design | 06.08.2026 Page 74 of 85  Entry Grove • Aspen and lush understory act as a cool and calming threshold. Serene colors and foliage that responds playfully to the wind help visitors to relax. • Stone entry signage welcomes visitors into the space. • Planting compliments existing rainwater garden usage. Woven Together: Walkthrough Highland Park Place of Remembrance | Refined Concept Design | 06.08.2026 Page 75 of 85  Entry Grove - Winter Woven Together: Walkthrough Highland Park Place of Remembrance | Refined Concept Design | 06.08.2026 Page 76 of 85  The Council Ring • The first space maintains the dimensions and formality of the historic Rose Garden. • Narrative walls tell the story of Highland Park’s resilience, the bravery of first responders and acknowledges the impact of the tragedy. • The Council Ring allows for small scale gathering and honors the legacy of Jens Jensen who implemented similar elements to foster community. Woven Together: Walkthrough Highland Park Place of Remembrance | Refined Concept Design | 06.08.2026 Page 77 of 85  The Council Ring - With Water • A reflection pool in the center invites visitors to sit before entering the garden beyond. The pool is similar to the original water feature installed in the Rose Garden and later removed. Woven Together: Walkthrough Highland Park Place of Remembrance | Refined Concept Design | 06.08.2026 Page 78 of 85  The Reflection Garden • The Reflection Garden features a walking loop and garden dedicated to the seven victims who lost their lives, framed by 48 upright maple trees representing those injured. • Garden paths in the center weave the space together and allow visitors to feel immersed in planting. • 7 niches extend off the path, inviting visitors to gather and reflect. Woven Together: Walkthrough Highland Park Place of Remembrance | Refined Concept Design | 06.08.2026 Page 79 of 85  The Reflection Garden - With Water • In addition to the niches and symbolic trees, the walking loop could be accompanied by a water feature framing the central garden and running towards the end of the space. The sound of water follows visitors like a companion walking along side them. Woven Together: Walkthrough Highland Park Place of Remembrance | Refined Concept Design | 06.08.2026 Page 80 of 85  • Each niche features a stacked limestone table in the center. Small alcoves or High Back Bench shelves within the table allow light from ADA Companion Seating a fixture within to pour out in a radial pattern. 4’ 5’ • Brick pavers on the main path sprial off into each niche, evoking an eddy on the 6’ side of a stream. • A high-backed wood bench creates a Stone Light Table feeling of comfort and enclosure. • The nearby water feature fills each space with calming sound. Woven Together: Niche Design Highland Park Place of Remembrance | Refined Concept Design | 06.08.2026 Page 81 of 85  Reflection and Connection • A wood clad bench with a high back embraces the end of the space, and allows visitors to sit and reflect, look out across the length of the garden. • The names of the victims are inscribed on limestone panels againts the backdrop of beautiful nature. Woven Together: Walkthrough Highland Park Place of Remembrance | Refined Concept Design | 06.08.2026 Page 82 of 85  Reflection and Connection - With Water • The water feature broadens at the low end of the loop into a calm reflecting pool, where limestone coping will host the names of the seven victims. Woven Together: Walkthrough Highland Park Place of Remembrance | Refined Concept Design | 06.08.2026 Page 83 of 85 Page 84 of 85 Page 85 of 85