No room in budget for Itasca Riverwalk garden

Even though a children's garden along the Itasca Riverwalk isn't in the budget for now, Itasca leaders have not given up on the idea.

"Nothing will be there until we get funding, concepts and ideas," Aiani said. "The only thing that will go in now will be a pathway, so you can go from the Riverwalk to the parking lot."

That new parking lot will be built starting this summer, Aiani said, and the Itasca village board voted Monday to move forward with its construction. The lot is a joint venture between the village and the Itasca Park District, and the proposed children's garden would be created just beyond its gateway, Aiani said

He added that there is no time frame for the children's garden, but the parking lot should be complete by fall.

The cost to build the lot will be less than $200,000, Aiani said, and it will be located directly east of Itasca's Depot Museum. It will include about 20 parking spaces and will serve not only museum patrons, but residents using the park district, pool and Spring Brook Nature Center - much like the $1.5 million Riverwalk itself.

The village is developing its budget for the next fiscal year, and it faces cuts like many other suburbs due to flat property and sales tax revenues. With a $2 million shortfall, Itasca officials have already instituted furlough days for village employees and salary freezes. In addition, the village said more cost-cutting measures are being suggested in budget discussions.

"All department heads have tried to keep all capital (expenses) out ... but I have to thank them because we asked them 'If you needed to make more cuts, what areas are not a necessity?'" said Village President Jeff Pruyn. "They all offered up suggestions."