The Uptown Normal Circle (The Circle) is located in the central business district of Normal -- a mid-sized town of about 54,000 people and home to Illinois State University.The Circle is often referred to as a living plaza, that comprises a functional water purification system, public space and transportation. The vanguard engineering project by Hoerr Schaudt Landscape Architects resulted in the transformation of a five-way intersection into a roundabout, in the center of which there's a beautiful park with seating, a water feature, shade, trees and an open plaza.The project took about eight years to implement (2002 -- 2010); it has been widely discussed, described and evaluated in various publications, as far as its design and functional parameters. Briefly: the water feature in The Circle shows the treatment of storm water, the process of its filtering through terraced bogs, then circulating into a fountain, that also serves as irrigation for trees and streetscapes. The signage at the entrance to The Circle gives a very detailed, factual info on the design and functions of the water system.The Circle occupies 4,87 acres of land, and has easy, marked access points to it from the streets. Nowadays, The Circle is a center of dynamic social activity. In warm days, you can see people relaxing on the central lawn and benches, children playing in water; and the 360- degree views of the uptown area with shops and restaurants, historic buildings, Children's Discovery Museum, the Uptown Station are very appealing. The Circle also hosts various concerts and public events.It is a modern, pleasant, lively place, and my visit to The Circle was very enjoyable!