Park Forest May Become
Three-Time All-American

The Village of Park Forest is waiting anxiously to learn if they've earned the distinction of being one of only 16 cities ever chosen three times as an All-American City by the National Civic League.

Sponsored by the National Civic League, the All-America City Award is intended as a constant reminder that people in a community can work together to identify and solve their common problems. The 38-year-old award program is a major part of the National Civic League's efforts to encourage and recognize civic excellence.

Park Forest, an All-America winner in 1953 and again in 1977, was nominated this year for its response to the threat of withdrawal of Park Forest's leading store from a $20 million dollar redevelopment project (The Centre, Park Forest).

According to Park Forester Jane Steinmetz, member of the nominating committee, this third nomination was based on Park Forest's fight to "Save the Centre" — which indicates the villagers' willingness to come to the battlefront when needed.

The victory of becoming a three-time winner would be all the sweeter for Park Forest since their "Save the Centre" nomination story is enjoying a happy ending right now — Marshall Field's, the anchor tenant that agreed to extend its lease thanks to the citizen efforts described in the award nomination, has agreed to extensive rennovation and upgrading of its Park Forest store.

Some 20 to 30 finalists will be chosen from the 95 applications received by the League for this year's award. According to National Civic League spokesperson Allison Moore, eight to 15 winners will then be chosen from those finalists. •

Page 18 / Illinois Municipal Review / June 1988