Robert Parker Coffin Recalls Fighting for Open Space
Living local legend Robert Parker Coffin, 95, returned to Long Grove this week to reminisce about the history of the village, fighting for open space and witnessing the growth of surrounding suburbs.
Robert Parker Coffin served as village president of Long Grove for 20 years, plus two years as a trustee, starting in 1946. Then, he spent another 20 years on the village's Plan Commision. Today, he and his wife of 68 years, Betty, live in Lake Forest. They are filled with living history. Coffin, an architect and engineer, helped develop Long Grove's Master Plan. He designed the original covered bridge in Long Grove, and has a main thoroughfare that runs through town named for him. Locals still ask about him. "People always ask about the legend behind Robert Parker Coffin Road in Long Grove," said Mara Sabath, co-owner of Peppermint Stick at 410 Robert Parker Coffin Road, Long Grove. "I always wanted to meet him." Sabath invited the …
