Wheaton might contribute to Northside Park plans

Acknowledging that planned renovations to Wheaton's Northside Park will be part of an overall effort to address flooding along Main Street, the city might contribute $1 million to help pay for the work.

City and park district leaders are expected to vote as early as next month on an intergovernmental agreement to divide costs to revamp the park near Prairie Avenue and Main Street.

If approved, $1 million from the city would help pay for work directly related to stormwater management. Park officials are seeking county, state and federal grant money to help pay for other enhancements, which are estimated to cost up to $8 million.

In the meantime, the park district is awaiting permits it needs to dredge sections of the Northside lagoon and fix erosion along its edges by installing native plants. Dredging will increase the lagoon's depth.

City Manager Don Rose said stormwater upgrades at Northside and proposed work along Main Street are expected to address flooding in the area.

"We'll be increasing the flow of water into the park area, and there's certain components of our project that are going to affect the park," Rose said.

The city's Main Street project, which includes widening a culvert near the intersection of Main and Cole Avenue, is expected to start sometime in 2010.

"They have got to get some work done in the park before we could do our work," Rose said.

Park officials said that once they have permit approval, construction at Northside could start by September.