Palos Heights native Kendall Coyne Schofield and her husband, Michael Schofield, are co-sponsoring a new park in town. (Photo by Jeff Vorva)
Planned park in Palos Heights will have Olympic theme
By Jeff Vorva
The Misty Meadows subdivision in Palos Heights is getting a new park and it will be partially funded by a pair of famous local athletes.
Plus, it will have an ice rink and an Olympic theme.
NFL player Michael Schofield and his Olympic hockey gold- and silver-medal-winning wife, Kendall Coyne Schofield, have a hand in developing the new park, according to Alderman Jack Clifford at Tuesday’s city council meeting. He said they are co-sponsoring the park.
After the meeting, Clifford said the park will have sports equipment and it might end up being a $500,000 endeavor. He added that the city could receive some grants to help build it.
“This is the neighborhood Kendall Coyne grew up in,” Clifford said. “There has never been a play lot or park of any sort there. We’re still finishing up the plans. We’re hoping the project starts in early to late spring. It will be nice thing.”
He pointed out at the meeting that Coyne Schofield is the captain of Team USA as the Olympics are beginning in China. Michael and Kendall are Sandburg graduates and Kendall is a Palos Heights native.
“We wish them all the best of luck,” Clifford said. “Especially because Kendall is a local resident, we wish them the best in bringing home the gold.”
Bringing home the masks
Mayor Bob Straz said that he was scheduled this week to head to Matteson and bring back 1,000 N95 masks courtesy of Cook County. He said he would work on a way to distribute them to residents.
These N95 masks are considered by some experts to be more effective than regular mask in protecting people from COVID-19.
Council members also said that up to three masks per person are available at Walgreen’s in town and at the Meijer store in Orland Park.
Business bits
Clifford said that Royalberry Waffle House is not closing despite some local chatter.
“They are open and there are a lot of rumors going on around there,” Clifford said. “It’s due to remodeling.”
Speaking of remodeling, Alderman Jeff Key said the Great American Bagel at 12774 S. Harlem Ave. is under new owners and has been rebuilt on the inside.
“Ceilings, floors, bathrooms, everything is brand new in there,” Key said.
Quality Plus Photo Service Inc. at 12244 S. Harlem Ave., expanded its business, Key said.
Key said Golf Haven’s indoor golf facility at 12317 S. Harlem Ave. is now open and Mexican restaurant Mysheko is close to opening at 7231 W. College Dr.
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Why can’t palos heights clear the limited sidewalks of snow! Last year sidewalks on Harlem were improved with handicapped assessable walks! Yesterday walking down Harlem majority of sidewalks. Or cleared by businesses! What’s the point of having assessable sidewalks when they are covered with snow! The kids walk to schools in snow covered sidewalks! Other villages require businesses to clear the sidewalks or got fined! This is 2022! Can’t the mayor and council address this issue!
I’m sure the masks will be given out fairly! Lol
Is there a way to be part of the planning of the park? It would be wonderful to assist with creating an inclusive park as we don’t truly have one yet. Also, as the above commenter mentioned we need to do a better job clearing Sidewalks. We are not a very disabled friendly community.
Thanks Erin no we are not! Mayhave to get a petition going to to address this issue!
Valerie Duhig, As a Palos ccsd 118 school bus driver I’ve often had the same ideas. We lived in Hickory Hills prior to moving to Palos Heights 7 years ago.. Hickory Hills at least kept the walkways along 95th St and Kean Ave cleared all winter long. Seems like someone from the school district should have that responsibility for all main routes that student walkers must navigate- and for all the rest, perhaps a sidewalk snow clearing ordinance should be created and enforced?