Countryside Ald. Tom Mikolyzk (2nd) is tired of waiting for Larry Robb Park to be built and open for children
After the city council approved a $87,596 payment to Schwartz Construction Group on June 10, he expressed great frustration with the slow progress.
“I think it’s outrageous that this park has not been done yet,” Mikolyzk said.
The park sits on the north side of 5th Avenue Cutoff, just east of condo buildings along Willow Springs Road. Schwartz Construction is located a few blocks away, at 7023 Willow Springs Road.
Beth Schwartz, one of the company’s owners, said Thursday, June 18, that “it’s mostly weather, but there always are issues when you have a site. She declined to specify the problems or comment further, saying the city and aldermen know how to reach the company.
Mikolyzk was unmoved.
“The builders complain about the weather. I’ve been there every day. I live there. Today, it rained a little. They seem to come up with an excuse over and over again,” he said.
Completion of the park had been expected by Nov. 30, 2025. City officials first expressed frustration at a council meeting in January.
Mikolyzk pointed to visible signs of delay: a pile of excavated dirt covered in weeds, and the Robb family still waiting for a park dedication to be scheduled.
The latest payment covers assembly and installation of playground equipment and completion of the sidewalk and curbs.
Ald. John Von Drasek (2nd), a relative of the late Larry Robb, has visited the site several times. He shares Mikolyzk’s concern about the delay.
Mayor Sean McDermott directed City Administrator Gail Paul to convey the city’s disappointment to Schwartz.