Evergreen Park illuminates with a vision and legacy
A vision and legacy began in 2013 when Kim Cecchetti requested permission to light up Evergreen Park by approaching the Kane Borough Council and received approval.
Cecchetti, the founder of Lights For Evergreen, said each year her vision of lights throughout the park grows with the help of volunteers and her husband, Bill Cecchetti.
Up until the renovation at the Memorial Point, lights were displayed there, also.
Cecchetti remembered when she, as a child, used to skate on the pond that once was located where the tennis courts are now. She said the pond had lights around it and envisioned the whole park lit up with blue lights to give the illusion of an icy, cold, and natural look.
As an adult, she would pass the area of the park, and her dream of lighting the park continued, especially for Christmas time.
Cecchetti said this year is the last year she will be doing the physical part of lighting up the park but will be helping with consulting to keep the living vision of her legacy going.
“It is always our dream to keep spreading out. Maybe if they put more electricity throughout the park,” Cecchetti said.
Members of the Kane Community joined together at the park on Friday for the first lighting of the season.
In addition to the blue lights, carolers sang the sounds of the season.
Cecchetti stated that all the lights, approximately 15,000 of them, are purchased locally from Kane Lumber at discounted prices.
The tree sponsors this year who purchased lights for their tree and or volunteered to hang or help hang their lights with the help of the Cecchetti’s are Jerry and Kathy Desio, Candince Rich and family, Judi and Jack Zelina, Mollie Rich, Stacy Lindquist, Jack Hedlund, Heidi Rice, Bruce and Joanne Leonard, Rob and Mary Bernard, Frank Woods, Nick and Courtney Dangelo, Phillip and Kira Heasley, Sonya Paup, Kris Ostrander, Patricia Buhl, Paul and Karen Gurdak, and Tony and Judy Rolick.
Community volunteers were Royce Novosel Johnson, Barry Johnson, and Michael Dunn.
Donations were also given by individuals from the community in support of Lights For Evergreen.