By Brett O’Daniell

Several community spaces throughout New Town have recently been repaired, enhanced, or are currently under construction as part of ongoing neighborhood maintenance and improvement efforts. The General Assembly maintenance team has been working diligently to address aging structures and worn surfaces while preserving the character and charm that make these nearly 20-year-old gathering spaces so special.

These updates are thoughtfully designed to balance safety, functionality, and long-term durability with the welcoming atmosphere residents have come to enjoy. As work continues, residents will see improvements across a variety of familiar community spaces, including playgrounds, parks, courtyards, and recreational amenities.

Note: An aerial view highlighting each featured location, along with current photos and construction updates, are included with this story.

Hempstead Place Courtyard

UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Work is underway in the Hempstead Place Courtyard to replace aging and unstable stone walls that had shifted and separated over time due to years of settling. The former gravel and wall area between the sidewalks is being converted into green space, creating a more open and welcoming courtyard environment for residents and visitors.

New stone walls are currently under construction along the north and south ends of the courtyard. These walls will continue to provide a visual boundary and important safety separation between the street and the lake common area while preserving the character of the neighborhood. The existing paver walkways connecting the sidewalks will remain in place.

Did you know? The courtyard’s original stone walls once framed New Town’s original bocce ball courts. After the courts were relocated, neighbors banded together to fund the installation of sod over the former gravel area, helping create the courtyard green space enjoyed today.

Shire Lane Pool

PROJECT COMPLETED
Shire Lane Pool has recently received a major refresh with improvements to the Kiddie Pool and Splash Pad area designed to enhance both safety and playability for families and young swimmers.

The updated space now features a new aquatic-grade safety surface surrounding the Kiddie Pool and Splash Pad. This slip-resistant, cushioned material is specifically designed for wet recreational environments, helping improve traction, reduce slips and falls, and create a safer play area for children.

Hold your horses… The adjacent property north of Shire Lane Pool is home of the St. Charles Police Department’s Mounted Patrol Unit. The mounted officers and their horses are a unique part of the Police Department and are seen at community events, festivals, and occasionally on the streets of New Town and surrounding communities.

The Chapel and Domain Street

PROJECT COMPLETED
Repair has been completed to repair the paver wall located in between the New Town Chapel and Playground along Domain Street at the intersection of N New Town Avenue. The rebuilt wall improves both safety and appearance for one of New Town’s most active pedestrian corridors and gathering areas.

Fun Fact: The building adjacent to the Chapel Playground — on the opposite side of the Chapel — was the original home to the popular Domain Street Wine Bar, complete with its neon sign.

Triangle Park

PROJECT COMPLETED
Triangle Park, located at the intersections of Shire Lane, Hempstead Street, and Barter Street, has recently received a welcome improvement with the completion of repairs to the park’s stage. With the stage restored and ready for use once again, residents may discover new opportunities to bring energy and activity back to one of the community’s most distinctive green spaces.

Over the years, the park has hosted productions of Alice in Wonderland and The Wizard of Oz — complete with the yellow brick road that still remains today. The space has also welcomed movie nights, decorative teepees, imaginative forts built by local children, and countless spirited games of Capture the Flag and Freeze Tag.

“Bucket Golf” anyone? More recently, neighbors have been spotted enjoying Bucket Golf in the park — a portable lawn game where players chip lightweight plastic balls into pop-up target buckets, adding yet another fun tradition to this lively community space.

Civic Circle & Rue Royale Street

PROJECT COMPLETED
At the intersection of Civic Circle and Rue Royale Street, sidewalk pavers have been repaired after becoming uneven due to years of settling and shifting. Located in one of New Town’s highest foot-traffic areas, the deteriorating surface had created a potentially hazardous walking condition for residents and visitors.

Pavers were leveled, replaced, and repaired in front of Bonnidell’s Ice Cream, QuesoWhaat!?!, and along the Civic Circle drive side surrounding the public restroom area. These improvements help maintain safe pedestrian access within one of the community’s most heavily visited retail and event areas.

QuesoWhaat!?! used to be what? The current kiosk building occupied by QuesoWhaat!?! was originally home to BobaQue. At the time, the adjacent amphitheater parking space featured grills and smokers dedicated to the restaurant’s operation, complete with a temporary fenced enclosure that housed smokers and grills.