By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current
Brett Lohman, left, representing the Geneseo Foundation; Mark Breeden, representing the Miller Foundation; Girl Scout Hannah McGee; and Brandon Maeglin, Geneseo City Administrator, are shown in front of the recently completed outdoor stage structure at Richmond Hill Park. Photo by Claudia Loucks
There’s something new on the grounds of Richmond Hill Park in Geneseo.
The new stage structure is a collaborated effort between the City of Geneseo and Hannah McGee, a senior at Geneseo High School who became involved with the project through her work for the Girl Scout Gold Award.
According to Brandon Maeglin, Geneseo City Administrator, the Richmond Hill Stage Project was initiated earlier this year after many years of discussion about adding a permanent stage structure to Richmond Hill Park.
“During the planning for Richmond Hill Park upgrades 10 years ago, there were concepts of adding an amphitheater structure to the park in a future phase,” Maeglin explained. “As that project developed and moved to constructions phases in 2018-2019, pickleball, basketball and other court structures took priority, along with the new pavilion and playground structures that our community enjoys today.”
Geneseo High School senior Hannah McGee became involved with the project last year when she approached city officials about working with the city on a project for her Girl Scout Gold Award.
She learned about the Richmond Hill Stage Project when she attended a meeting of the Geneseo Kiwanis Club through her membership in the GHS Key Club.
Maeglin offered McGee the opportunity to be part of the group for the stage project.
“Hannah has attended all the planning meetings regarding the new facility and has brought several ideas to the table,” he said. “Hannah also applied for a number of grants to get the project off the ground, and the project was awarded $20,000 from the Geneseo Foundation and $20,000 from the Miller Foundation.”
Maeglin said that one of McGee’s ideas, for which she currently is fundraising, is an informational board which will be positioned directly behind the stage in the Florence Love Wildflower Garden.
“The permanent board will contain information about Geneseo’s native trees and other local nature-related items, along with information about the Florence Love Wildflower Garden, the stage project, and about scouting.” Maeglin added.
McGee will be fundraising for the board on Saturday during the Trains, Planes and Automobile celebration in Geneseo, and the public is encouraged to stop by and speak with her where she will be set up at the intersection of 1st and State Streets.
ABOUT THE NEW RICHMOND HILL STAGE – FROM BRANDON MAEGLIN
The Richmond Hill Park Stage will be used by the City of Geneseo for the annual “Thrill on the Hill” concert in July, and the city plans to soon announce a Labor Day event and concert for year 2026. The city plans to coordinate with the Geneseo Chamber of Commerce, Henry County Tourism Bureau, and other local organizations for additional opportunities to have entertainment and events at the venue for decades to come.
The stage was designed to be used as an ideal space for outdoor performances, while also being able to double as an outdoor pavilion for other rental opportunities.
In 2026, the city will open the structure up for public reservations, and business/community members will be encouraged to coordinate with the city about using the new structure as an option for outdoor gatherings.
The new stage structure, completed in August of this year, is made of Douglas Fur timbers and was constructed by Signature Big Timbers of Port Byron. The concrete base and retaining wall were completed by Construction Group of Geneseo, along with staff from Geneseo Electric, Public Works and the Building Inspections/Development Department. Total cost of the stage and surrounding structures was $93,000, with half of that funding coming from grant awards and other fundraising measures.
MEET HANNAH MCGEE
Hannah McGee, daughter of Shawn and Taunya, is a senior at Geneseo High School.
Her membership in Geneseo High School Key Club led her to attend a meeting of the Geneseo Kiwanis Club, which sponsors school Key Clubs, service-oriented clubs. It was at that meeting where she learned of the Richmond Hill Stage Project the City of Geneseo was working on…”I had been looking for something to help with for my Scouting Gold Award. I went to the City Administrator, Brandon Maeglin, to ask about it and he mentioned wanting to making a Richmond Hill Stage, and I was granted access to help with the stage. Another reason that I grew interested in the opportunity is the fact that I am interested in engineering and I believe this will give me good experience and an understanding of what my future career may look like.”
In her effort to raise funds for the proposed sign to be placed at the back of the new Richmond Hill Stage, McGee will be sharing information about the stage and about scouting to interested passersby at the Trains, Planes and Automobiles event on Saturday. She will be at the intersection of 1st and State Street in downtown Geneseo, and said she hopes to be able to visit with lots of people and raise funds for the sign.
In looking to the future, Miss McGee is interested in pursuing a career in engineering and plans to attend either Purdue University or Bradley University.
She has been involved in Scouting for 13 years and will continue to be involved as a volunteer at day camp, doing community service and become a Scout leader.
