Village of Hennepin to Dedicate New Public Art Sculpture & Bridge to Wetlands

Village of Hennepin to Unveil “Grazing Cattle” Public Art Sculpture and Celebrates “The Wetlands Bridge” Linking the Village to the Wetlands Area

The Village of Hennepin is proud to announce that on Saturday September 20th, 2025, at 3pm the dedication of a new public art sculpture and the official opening of a walking and biking bridge connecting the village to the scenic wetlands area. The dual ceremony will take place on Saturday, September 20, 2025, starting with “Grazing Cattle” at 3:00pm at Front and Court Streets in Hennepin IL and then immediately following that dedication move to “The Wetlands Bridge” at 501 S 3rd Street in Hennepin IL for the bridge dedication starting at 3:35pm.

 

At 3:00pm the dedication of public art known as, “Grazing Cattle”, a distinctive public art sculpture purchased in cooperation with the Walter Durley Boyle Trust, and Saint Bede Abbey, and created by renowned artist Fr. Joseph Heyd O.S.B. of Saint Bede Abbey in Peru IL. The sculpture, titled “Grazing Cattle,” reduces cows to geometric shapes and will cast whimsical shadows as natures light plays across the many facets. Placed on a bluff overlooking the Illinois River, the artwork is intended to inspire both residents and visitors alike to appreciate Hennepin’s natural beauty and as John Updike said "What art offers is space – a certain breathing room for the spirit" — “Grazing Cattle” was originally installed near the Worship Assembly Building at Saint Bede Abbey in Peru Illinois in 1974, and the buildings geometrical shapes may indeed have been the inspiration for the sculpture. The artworks supports and metal work was carefully restored by metal fabricator and welder Frank Boggio of Hennepin, IL. Installed carefully in its permanent location by Harold Fay and Judd Construction and given a fresh coat of paint by James Kipp of Hennepin, IL. This is the second Fr. Joseph Heyd O.S.B. sculpture installed in the village and complements the St. Francis statue he created for the Hazel Marie Boyle Fountain Plaza located adjacent to the Walter Durley Boyle Park. Fr. Joseph Heyd has sculptures and artwork located around the world and includes pieces in the Vatican Private Collection. “Grazing Cattle” is now restored to its original glory and will delight viewers for decades as these cows are forever captured in a moment of serene grazing.

The Wetlands Bridge project is the culmination of an idea retired Mayor Kevin J Coleman dreamed of over 20 years ago. In those 20 years, Kevin Coleman never stopped working towards a direct connection from Hennepin to the Wetlands and its ever-changing beauty. The Wetlands Bridge is a magnificent Iron and Wood structure that spans over Coffee Creek and will allow pedestrian and bicycle traffic a direct connect from Hennepin into the Wetlands, affording its residents and visitors access to over 2500 acres of trails and its varied flora and fauna. The almost $800,000 bridge project, was funded through a combination of local and state grants as well as generous community support, marking a significant investment in both the village’s infrastructure and its connection to nature. The bridge offers pedestrians and cyclists safe, year-round access to the wetlands, providing expanded opportunities for recreation, environmental education, and community engagement. The Walter Durley Boyle Trust provided Hennepin with funds needed for site surveys, environmental studies and initial designs for the bridge as well as some matching funds. Primary funding was secured by North Central Illinois Council of Governments through the Energy Transition Community Grant Program which aids communities suffering from the loss of revenue from shuttered coal plants.

The Wetlands bridge project underscores Hennepin’s commitment to development and environmental stewardship, while the installation of the “Grazing Cattle” sculpture highlights the village’s support for cultural enrichment. Together, these projects represent the village’s vision for a connected, thriving, and creative community.

“These projects honor our village’s legacy of constant innovation, while opening new possibilities for recreation, appreciation of nature, and artistic expression.” -Hennepin Mayor Quentin J. Buffington