Don’t miss Oak Park’s ¡VIVA! Festival from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. this Saturday, Oct. 10. The outdoor celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month will take place on the south lawn at Village Hall and feature food, live cultural performances, vendors, face painting, activities for kids and more. Find details about the event at www.oak-park.us/HispanicHeritage. The annual ¡VIVA! Festival is coordinated by the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Office with support from a committee of community volunteers. In keeping with the Hispanic Heritage theme, the Village is also promoting Oak Park’s Dia de los Muertos celebration, which will take place on Sunday, Nov. 1 in Scoville Park.

The Village’s Plan Commission held an initial public hearing Thursday in the auditorium at Oak Park and River Forest High School as it considers proposed changes to Oak Park’s zoning code. The hearing lasted 3.5 hours and as expected, the Plan Commission continued the hearing to 6 p.m. next Thursday, Oct. 15 in the same location at OPRF High School to allow for all interested parties to provide public comment. Outlined as part of the Shape Oak Park initiative, these proposed amendments are intended to address and incentivize missing middle housing types. Find more information about the hearing and answers to frequently asked questions at www.oak-park.us/PChearing.

Join the Village’s Aging in Communities Commission as it observes Ageism Awareness Day by hosting Raymond Jetson for a discussion on aging from 6 to 8 p.m. tonight (Oct. 9) at the Nineteenth Century Charitable Association. Jetson is the founder and author of “Aging While Black: A Radical Reimagining of Aging and Race in America.”  Refreshments will be provided. Information about the event is posted on the Village website at www.oak-park.us/AAD26.

Earlier this year Deputy Fire Chief Kevin Fadden once again had the opportunity to work with Oak Park Troop 2 of the Scouts of America to support an Eagle Scout project. This is the third Eagle Scout project Deputy Chief Fadden has worked with to support these young men and enhance Oak Park’s fire houses and greater community. The latest project involved installing two retired United States flag drop boxes, located at Station One (100 N. Euclid Ave.) and Station 3 (900 S. East Ave). In addition to the two drop-off locations, the Fire Department and Troop 2 are working out the details of a long-term process of continued collaboration to respectfully retire all United States Flags that are brought to the Fire Department or any location within the Village of Oak Park.

The Oak Park Fire Department welcomed a good turnout as it hosted its annual open house on Oct. 3 at the main fire station. Residents of all ages were able to get up close to the Fire Department’s equipment and talk to the firefighter/paramedics who keep the community safe. The event also included safety demonstrations, tours of the fire house, a blood drive and more.

The Village's Office of Sustainability recently presented at the American Planning Association (APA) Illinois State Conference, sharing Oak Park’s approach to advancing energy resilience and building decarbonization at the local level. Sustainability Analyst Alina Dekirmenjian’s presentation highlighted how Oak Park is advancing climate and energy goals through programs, policy and community engagement.

Parking and Mobility Services Manager Marlin Jackson’s testimonial about the value of earning a Parking, Transportation & Mobility Professional (PTMP) Certification is being featured on the International Parking & Mobility Institute website – click here to see the PTMP spotlight. PTMP is respected worldwide as the leading credential in parking and mobility. Marlin earned his PTMP Certification in 2023.  

The building that formerly housed an IHOP restaurant on North Avenue is finally demolished, marking the end of a long chapter for the property. Its removal clears the way for a fresh start and opens the door to new possibilities along this stretch of North Avenue.

The Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) approved sign variances Wednesday for proposed wall signs at the Dutch Bros Coffee shop under construction at 316 Madison St. A recommendation of approval was also issued for a massage therapy establishment at 6955 North Ave.

Police Officers recently participated in training at the Public Works Center as part of the Police Department’s ongoing commitment to professional development, preparedness and service. The Police Department is continually looking for opportunities to strengthen skills, expand knowledge and stay prepared to respond to the needs of the community. Frequent training helps ensure officers are equipped to provide the safest, most professional service to the community.

There is still space available for the upcoming Citizen Police Academy for residents looking to gain a comprehensive perspective of the Police Department. Beginning next Wednesday, Oct. 14 and being held weekly on Wednesday evenings from 6-8 p.m. through Nov. 18, the Citizen Police Academy will feature a series of classes and interactive discussions on protocols and issues in policing. To ensure that the experience is interactive and personal, enrollment for the Citizen Police Academy will be open to a limited number of participants who are at least 18 years old and a resident of Oak Park. This format allows officers and staff to engage more directly with attendees in the most meaningful way possible. Registration is open through this week – click here to sign up.

The Civic Information Systems Commission (CISC) successfully hosted its first Day in Our Data on Oct. 3 at the Oak Park Public Library’s Dole Branch. More than 30 participants of all ages and backgrounds came together and divided into teams to explore Village data to create useful tools, a website, maps and visualizations. Work products from the one-day civic hackathon included “What ECHO Sees,” “Report Card Oak Park,” “Presettlement Oaks,” “Party in a Box” and more. Click here to explore the projects and be sure to vote for your favorites. Click here to view more Day in Our Data photos.

The Office of Sustainability is encouraging residents to get guidance for weatherization and efficiency projects with the Oak Park Energy Navigator (OPEN) Help Desk. Before it gets cold, learn where all the drafts and leaks are in your home and get guidance on how to fix them. The Village’s Climate Ready Energy Grants will pay for a professional energy audit of Oak Park homes. Once residents have that audit, the Oak Park Energy Navigator Help Desk can help decide which projects to tackle first, identify incentives to pay for the projects and evaluate contractor bids. Contact the OPEN Help Desk at 708.761.6736 or open@elevatenp.org for more information. Residents can find information about Climate Ready Energy Grants at www.oak-park.us/energygrants.

Renew the Avenue project – The intersection of Oak Park Avenue and Pleasant Street will be closed to vehicle traffic starting Monday through Friday as part of ongoing brick paver installation. The multi-day closure will allow for a special asphalt and a rubber-like ‘mastic’ base to be poured and bricks laid immediately afterward, helping ensure better long-term wear of brick pavers at an intersection where many turns are made. Local detours will be installed, and drivers are encouraged to use Randolph Street, Euclid Avenue and Kenilworth Avenue for access through this area. This week crews are wrapping up sidewalk paver installation and roadway brick installation along Oak Park Avenue north of the Pleasant Street intersection. Other Renew the Avenue project updates include:

• Electrical crews are finishing the conduit installation at South Boulevard and under the railroad bridge on Oak Park Avenue this week. Crews will move to the north block next week to continue conduit installation for the new street lighting and traffic signals. 
• The roadway grading crew will finish work under the railroad bridge this week and move to the north block next week to excavate for the lighting and irrigation conduits and the new curb.
• The concrete crew will be onsite next week framing and pouring new concrete roadway base under the railroad bridge and completing the sidewalk and curb areas along South Boulevard.

Resurfacing project – By the end of this week, the first layer of asphalt is planned to be placed on Iowa Street between Linden Avenue and Fair Oaks Avenue, and the second/final layer will be placed on Iowa between Ridgeland Avenue and Harvey Avenue. Other project updates include the following:

• The remainder of the speed cushion locations will be milled this week, while the asphalt crew follows closely behind the removals crew to install the new asphalt for the speed cushions. The installation operations take longer per location than the removal of the existing asphalt.
• Monroe Street between Harlem Avenue and Oak Park Avenue is set to be milled in preparation for the first layer of asphalt to be placed next week.
• Concrete crews will be working on framing and/or pouring concrete along Harvard Street between Taylor Avenue and Austin Boulevard and Humphrey Avenue between Harvard and Roosevelt Road late this week, followed by Randolph Street between East Avenue and Scoville Avenue, and Euclid Avenue between Superior Street and Lake Street.
• A second and final layer of asphalt is slated to be installed by mid-week next week on Augusta Street between Harlem and Oak Park Avenue, Scoville between South Boulevard and Washington Boulevard, Randolph between East Avenue and Scoville and Lombard Avenue between Division Street and Iowa. The first asphalt layer is also planned to be placed on Monroe between Harlem and Grove Avenue and on Carpenter Avenue between Madison Street and Harrison Street by mid-week next week.
• The contractor plans to mill Clinton Avenue between Van Buren Street and Harrison and Clinton between Lexington Street and Roosevelt in the middle of next week.

Water and sewer project – The contractor will begin final grading of the road base in preparation for the first layer of asphalt to be placed this Friday on the 1000-1100 blocks of Scoville Ave. After the first layer of asphalt is installed, the contractor will begin work on the parkway and landscaping. At the project’s other location, the contractor is removing the existing pavement and curb on the 1100-1200 blocks of N. Euclid Ave. this week and prepping the new roadway base with the placement of geofabric and stone. This work will continue into next week as the crew works its way south to north on Euclid.

Sidewalk repair project – The sidewalk contractor continues to progress on completing the angle cuts, with work focused in the southeast quadrant of the Village. The contractor plans to work the next three Saturdays of October to help move the project along.

Pavement preservation project – The contractor started pavement removals for a patch on Austin Boulevard just south of North Avenue, as well as at the intersection of Austin and Augusta Street. The contractor will pour the new concrete later this week and anticipates reopening the Austin/North Avenue location by next Tuesday to allow time for the new concrete to cure. The Austin/Augusta patch will reopen at a later date. Crack sealing is set to start Monday and rejuvenator application will be applied at each selected location in the second half of next week. Micro surfacing is tentatively scheduled for the week of Oct. 19.

Bike boulevards project – The contractor will begin installing the colored pavement markings at the bike bump-outs this week, with the expectation to have all markings installed by the end of next week. Installation of new signage will follow shortly after the completion of the pavement markings.

Congratulations to Oak Parker Tamar Zamora, who won the October monthly drawing for $250 in Biker Bucks that she can spend at participating businesses as part of the Bike to the Biz campaign to support businesses along Oak Park Avenue during the ongoing Renew the Avenue construction project. One more winner will be announced on November 1. To participate, be sure to keep your purchase receipts from participating businesses, spend a minimum of $10 at four different retailers and enter to win the monthly drawings.

This past weekend, CBS 2 Chicago highlighted Oak Park as THE place to shop, sip and play this fall as part of its Jumpstart with Jackie segment. Emmy Award-winning reporter Jackie Kostek toured Pumpkin Moon, Sea Love and Lucky Duck Claw House, meeting with the owners and highlighting what makes each business so unique.  Click here to watch the full segment.

Kick off the holiday season at the OPRF IWS Holiday Housewalk & Market on Dec. 4–5. Tickets are available here. Tour four stunning homes in Oak Park and River Forest, each beautifully decorated with festive décor, creative tablescapes and arrangements by local florists. Proceeds support the IWS Children’s Clinic, providing medical, dental and behavioral health care to children in need across Chicagoland. Visit www.oprfiws.org/holiday-housewalk to learn more. The market is free to enter and open to the public. Attendees will enjoy 22 unique vendors offering an array of hostess gifts, stocking stuffers, seasonal decorations, holiday treats and more. The market will be held at the IWS Children’s Clinic event space at 28 Madison St. in Oak Park. Visit www.oprfiws.org/holiday-market for market information.