Brown Park is council’s preference as new home to Highland Park sculpture

“Miss Nitro” is on the move — again.

The sculpture, which was displayed for more than 50 years outside the Highland Park Public Library, needed to be moved in order for the library to complete its west side expansion.

Currently being restored while in storage, the Highland Park City Council at its Committee of the Whole meeting last Monday, Oct. 6, discussed where “Miss Nitro” is headed next.

Councilmembers previously discussed the possibility of moving the sculpture to a parcel of land near the intersection of Central Avenue and Deerfield Road that is owned by the Arbor Terrace Highland Park, an assisted living facility. But according to city staff, an agreement could not be reached between Arbor Terrace and the city.

Three new options were presented to the Council: Brown Park in the Ravinia District; Lincoln Place Park on St. Johns Avenue; and the east side of the Highland Park Public Library.

Brown Park was recommended by both city staff and the city’s Cultural Arts Advisory Group.

“Moving ‘Miss Nitro’ to this location is well aligned with the character of the district,” said Amanda Bennett, the city’s communications manager, to councilmembers. “We know the Ravinia District is an artsy area; we capitalize on that for advertising our businesses.”

She also noted that Brown Park is close to the Ravinia Festival, plenty of parking is available and the area has “high visibility” thanks to the nearby Metra station.

The move also reportedly aligns with the intentions of artist Peter Voulkos, who staff said wanted “Miss Nitro” to be located near a civic building in a well trafficked, highly visible area.

A majority of the council agreed with relocating “Miss Nitro” to Brown Park, with Councilmember Anthony Blumberg saying he had no preference.

Councilmember Annette Lidawer was the only one who objected to Brown Park, saying she would prefer “Miss Nitro” be moved to Lincoln Place Park.

“I think it would really enhance it to have this beautiful sculpture there,” she said, noting that there is another sculpture, “Solar Journey” by Terrence Karpowicz, already in Lincoln Place Park. Lidawer suggested that the city consider making Lincoln Place Park a “cultural garden” over time.

“It is highly trafficked by people on the path, it is highly trafficked by the neighborhood, and that’s a neighborhood that we don’t give anything to because there is no economic development there, nor should there be,” she said.

In disagreeing with Brown as a location, Lidawer said she didn’t believe the park was big enough, and she shared concerns that children may end up jumping on “Miss Nitro” and damaging it.

“I think (Brown Park) is busy, it’s congested, it’s crazy over there, which is wonderful. That’s the vibrancy we want,” she said. “(‘Miss Nitro’) isn’t the same tone, and it takes a lot of space.”

While Lidawer was the only councilmember to say Lincoln Place Park was her first choice for “Miss Nitro’s” relocation, Councilmembers Yumi Ross and Jon Center both said it would be their second choice.

Voulkos created “Miss Nitro” in 1973, and according to the city’s public art website, he welded its bronze pieces together on-site.

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