Northside Park plans moving along

Wheaton city and park district officials are trying to hash out a plan that divides costs between them for renovations to Northside Park.

While the park district will pay for the majority of the work, they're asking the city to pick up a portion of the tab because upgrades will reduce flooding in the area, as well.

So far, park district officials have identified $2 million in work that's directly related to stormwater management, parks Director Mike Benard said.

That's about 25 percent of the project's estimated initial cost.

Benard said he's waiting for the city officials to get back to him on whether they agree with those projects as being related to the city's planned work along Main Street.

They're on target at this point to get needed permits from the county by next March, about the same time final drawings for the work should be finished, he said. The city and park district jointly applied for the permits already.

They're looking to dredge sections of the lagoon and fix erosion along its edges by installing native plants.

In addition to the changes that will improve flood problems along Main Street, the park district will enhance recreation programs at the site and alter its landscaping.

More than 25 years have passed since initial plans were crafted to revamp Northside park, but those plans never materialized. Benard said that once they have permit approval, construction should be underway by September 2009.