Seven ways to improve Elgin

This is an open letter to the City of Elgin on ways to make the city a better and more attractive place to live:

&bul; A dog park for each side of the river, sorely needed.

&bul; As graffiti seems to be a growing problem, develop and implement new strategies to curb this property-devaluing nuisance.

&bul; A 5- to 10-year plan to beautify the city with flowering magnolia, cherry, dogwood and similar trees, especially near the river.

&bul; The bike trail situation on the east side of the river at the old parking lot (old parking deck at the old Speiss store) is currently unacceptable and confusing to trail users.

&bul; The presence of bald eagles on the Fox River near the library in the winter could become a minor tourism draw of sorts. Maybe a plan to use the land just north of and adjacent to the library as a public viewing area? A kind of eco-oriented, horticulture garden that also draws songbirds and hummingbirds in the spring/summer by planting appropriate trees, shrubs and perennial plants. Cottonwood trees could be planted to entice bald eagles to nest there in the springtime (apparently eagles have nested in the Carpentersville area in recent years). This could be a plan to include volunteers and also to help children connect to nature.

&bul; Install bluebird-specific nest boxes on each public golf course; a nest box every 200-300 fee donated and installed by public volunteers to help the city forego the costs.

&bul; Show classic movies at the Wing Park band shell on a weekend night — during summer.

Walter J. Lutz

Elgin