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The
Village of Channahon Channahon, Illinois Size: 100 acres Competition Submission: April 1998 Selected as Finalist Most communities develop outward from the center. The Village of Channahon diverges from that norm as it was established without a true center along the historic I & M Canal south of Chicago. Instead, a 100-acre farm occupied the middle of the community. The Catholic Diocese of Joliet acquired this parcel for a new parish church and school, and sponsored a competition that would integrate the community’s vision for a village center with that of the local parish’s desire for a new facility. The heart of this new community is an active public center that offers everyday services required to allow this pedestrian village to function in a sustainable manner. A formal civic square features a fountain providing a forum for the community as it is embraced by the new parish church, school and other civic minded uses. The irregular street grid allows the Village entrance road to align directly with church entry, which is projecting out into the civic space. The village green is an extension of the civic realm and features an open lawn for passive recreation. Continuous open
spaces connecting the I&M Canal to the existing Arrowhead State
Recreational Park have been created with a series of linear parks,
boulevards, an alley and neighborhood pocket parks. An innovative
agricultural education center allows the community to preserve its
present day rustic charm. |
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