Water quality tops Elgin parks master plan

An Elgin Parks and Recreation Department master plan has moved a step closer to becoming a reality.

Wednesday night, a special committee adopted the plan and also accepted separate recommendations for Lords Park improvements. Everything now moves to the city council for final approval.

The document outlines goals for the next few years and will also serve as an important guideline once officials start seeking state grants and other money to fund some of those projects, said Gregg Calpino, a principal with JJR, the consulting firm hired to assist with the plan.

While some projects are short term and could get underway as soon as next year, others could take several years to materialize.

The highest priority project involves improving the water quality in Lords Park's lagoons and creeks, said Randy Reopelle, director of the parks and recreation department.

Carl Missele, chairman of the parks and recreation advisory board, said a $300,000 grant from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency would help turn the creeks and lagoons into a wetlands, which would also assist with filtration.

It is estimated to cover 60 percent of the cost, he said.

“It's very expensive, but at least there's a possibility of getting a grant,” said Missele, also a member of the Lords Park Taskforce that drafted the recommendations for that park's improvements.

Other immediate goals for 2011 include:

• Expanding the parking lot at Hawthorne Hill Park, planting native species and removing those that aren't native to the area. The total cost is estimated at $1 million.

• Replacing playground equipment at Wright Avenue Park, for a total cost of $85,000.

Elgin held focus groups and public meetings during the spring and summer to get feedback on improving and expanding the 1,678 acres in its 67 parks.

This document updates the master plan the city created in 2000 Elgin managed to implement 75 percent of that plan's recommendations, Mayor Ed Schock said.

City staff will return to the council with a plan that details which projects are actually feasible for 2011. You can view the plan in its entirety at elginparksmasterplan.org.