In December of 2018, Roscoe Township purchased 17 acres on Hononegah Road for just over half the original asking price. The property contains the original home of Roscoe Township’s first non-native settlers, Robert and Hannah Cross. The Township leased the home and surrounding yard to the Roscoe Township Historical Society, which is raising private funds to restore the home. The Society has received donated materials and hundreds of hours of labor from local building trades unions and construction companies, including a new roof, new electrical service to the home and quonset hut. water heater, and insulation. A private donor stepped up to assist with the pain removal on the estimated 180 year old brick. The community support has been outstanding.
Adjacent to the historic home, the Township has built a 3370sf community center with existing Township funds and a $704,000 State of Illinois Park and Recreational Facility Construction Program (PARC) grant, awarded in March of 2021.
The remaining acreage of Founders Park will include a multi-purpose shelter, native prairie, walking paths, a Native American land acknowledgment and Three Sisters Garden, community gardens, and a field for outdoor markets. The park is being developed by the Township with the assistance of a $337,300 grant through Illinois’ Open Space Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) program. Over 10 acres of prairie and pollinators have been planted already.
There will be no debt, no borrowing, no bonds, no leasing, and no tax increase. These are funds that have been built up for a nearly 30 year period in our General & Recreation Funds. In the last few years, we’ve heard from many of our residents as to the desire for such a facility. Roscoe Township has always invested in recreation for our residents. It is part of why this is such a great place to live. We envision a place where residents of all ages can gather for activities, classes, family reunions, small weddings, group events, etc. The possibilities are endless!
We interviewed architects in early 2019, and chose Saavedra Group Architects to lead us through this process. They are long-time Township residents, have donated many hours to the Historical Society part of the project, and have shown a great desire and enthusiasm to work on this project in their hometown.
3370SF COMMUNITY BUILDING
FOUNDER’S PARK AERIAL IMAGE
3360 SF COMMUNITY CENTER FLOOR PLAN
360° view of interior of Community Center: https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=B92aVWHBJCb
RESTORED ROBERT J. CROSS HISTORICAL HOME
PAVILION RENDERING
