Glen Ellyn, Ill. — The Village of Glen Ellyn and Glen Ellyn Park District celebrated the opening of Panfish Park and public art dedication on June 12. The Village and Park District posted a press release and photos from the event on Monday, June 16.
The park welcomed community members on June 12 for the grand opening of Panfish Park and unveiling of a new public art display, “Enclosure” by David Harber. The event was significant for marking the first major milestone of the intergovernmental agreement between the Village of Glen Ellyn and Glen Ellyn Park District. The departments will collaborate on shared responsibilities for enhancing public spaces. The collaboration began with Panfish Park and Manor Woods and will extend to a future Downtown Event Park, the press release said.
The new playground at Panfish Park is designed to blend in with the natural surroundings of the park. A series of curved art panels stand nearby as the permanent art installation “Enclosure.” The British artist modified the piece from the original created for London’s Chelsea Flower Show. It was designed to reflect the landscape of Panfish Park and Glen Ellyn. The project was funded by the Village of Glen Ellyn and the JCS Arts, Health and Education Fund of the DuPage Foundation.
“Art doesn’t need to match the furniture. It needs to move us,” Communications Coordinator Grant Paplauskas said during the dedication, and noted in the press release. “This project shows Glen Ellyn’s commitment to preserving nature and celebrating imagination.”
