Mayor Ruben Pineda (left) welcomes America in Bloom Executive Director Laura Kunkle (right) with a special message on the City’s monument sign located at Main Street and Route 59.America in Bloom’s (AiB) Executive Director Laura Kunkle enjoyed a visit in downtown West Chicago with Mayor Pineda and City staff on Tuesday, June 17, 2019. The visit occurred as a result of Kunkle’s involvement with the many details of the upcoming Annual AiB Symposium in October, which takes place this year in neighboring St. Charles.
“Laura’s visit was a great opportunity to spend some time learning more about America in Bloom, and to share some of the exciting plans for the future of West Chicago,” said Mayor Pineda, who talked about the City’s involvement with Monarch conservation, Healthy West Chicago, and the Central Main Street Redevelopment Plan.
A stroll down Main Street included a stop at the Kruse House Gardens to view seven of the thirty-six artist-designed butterflies of The Butterfly Effect, a joint project between the West Chicago Garden Club, the West Chicago Cultural Arts Commission, the America in Bloom Committee and People Made Visible. “The Butterfly Effect is a project that epitomizes the collaborative spirit of America in Bloom,” said Rosemary Mackey, AiB Committee Chair and City of West Chicago Marketing/Communications Coordinator.
Continuing down Main Street, stops were made at the Monarch Waystation at City Hall to view the thriving pollinator garden and another artist-designed butterfly, the signage installed for the AiB/CN EcoConnexions From the Ground Up Grant for the 2019 Parkway Tree Planting Program, the 2019 Community Art Banners themed Love, the downtown flower beds which were planted by community volunteers and elected officials, and hanging baskets donated by Ball Horticultural.
The AiB Committee will be releasing the official 2019 Community Profile and the tour stops for the AiB judges who arrive July 21-23, 2019, shortly. The two-day tour of the community is an opportunity for the Committee to wow judges with all the great work being done by the many community partners involved. The judges’ visit also provides the community with important feedback and suggestions on its revitalization and beautification efforts, and hopefully will result in a designation for West Chicago as an America in Bloom City at the October Symposium.
For more about the City’s efforts with this national program, visit www/westchicago.org under About/America in Bloom.
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About West Chicago
West Chicago is a diverse, family-oriented community with a rich cultural mix and a proud heritage. It is the first Illinois community established by the railroads and continues to be a convenient transportation hub served by three major rail lines, Illinois' third-busiest airport and three state highways. For more information, call Rosemary Mackey, Marketing & Communications Coordinator, at (630) 293-2200 x 139.