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PARK
DISTRICT
7540 W. BRAEMAR LANE
FRANKFORT, IL 60423
815-469-3524
www.fspd.org
Dear Mr. Arnold:
I am glad that you attended the July meeting of the Park Board, and subsequent basin tour for Commissioners on August 13, 2009. In response to your request, staff prepared a comprehensive Native Area Management Report that you received on August l3
After touring similar naturalized basins on Thursday, August 13th, we offer this correspondence clarifying the position regarding maintenance and future actions in the areas of concern.
The basin adjacent to your home was designed and planted to provide required storm water storage, using recommended native landscape practices. In all naturalized areas owned and maintained by the Frankfort Square Park District, we are faced with residents that appreciate the “look” and the benefits provided, and those who do not.
The park district is able to provide mountains of supporting material citing benefits and success of native landscapes, but that will not change individual perception of overall appearance.
Tinley Park Engineer, Chris King, of Robinson Engineering, and Ted Virgilio of
Branecki-Virgilio & Associates confirm that the structures are operating correctly.
No further action is required
.
Staff reports and supporting documents indicate the establishment of native vegetation and required maintenance to promote continued success.
The issue of primary concern is the abundance of water lilies and what continued action will be employed.
Water lilies are a native species and offer no negative impact other than aesthetics. The park district, as detailed in Section 2 Item No. 1, and Section 4, has attempted various controls with, at best, minimal success. Staff will be directed to employ GlyphoMate 41 on Friday, August l4, or as weather conditions dictate the ideal time for application.
The goal will be to manage lily pads at a level not exceeding 30% of the total surface area. Staff will monitor the success, and repeat application of products necessary to attain this level.
The Native Area Management Report that was provided to you lists improvements and enhancements that have been, and are scheduled to be employed. Further efforts will focus on continued necessary maintenance and management of park district-owned property.
• Turf grass will be mowed and maintained.
• Naturalized landscapes will be maintained through accepted practices of periodic bums/mowing and selective herbicide applications.
• All physical improvements, i.e. benches, paths, signage, etc., will be maintained in good repair.
• Park sign landscaping will be completed in the fall of 2009.
• Lily pad control, previously described will be employed and monitored.
Normal actions, as herein described, are consistent with all properties within park district borders.
One concern expressed by you during the basin tour regarding the wooded area adjacent to the bike/walking path directly north of the Hilda Walker School site will be cut down. In addition, the park district will provide continual maintenance to hopefully deter youths from loitering in this area. If residents observe inappropriate activity in at this site, we encourage them to contact the Tinley Park Police Department, and follow up with a phone call to the park district.
Park district staff verified that no storm sewer grate was installed on the basin’s outfall to Union Creek. Tinley Park approved plans called for this structure. The developer and the Village of Tinley Park will be notified, and hopefully will install this structure in short order.
Commissioners are elected to represent the community and use resources to meet the mission of the Frankfort Square Park District. It should also be understood that based upon the expertise of our park district staff, chiefly Jim Randall, Executive Director, and Julie Arvia, Superintendent of Beautification and Natural Areas, the Park Board is satisfied that these individuals are acting in the best interest of the community they serve. The BMP’s employed by the district are progressive and provide numerous ecological benefits not the least of which hit Ttidêredüetibh in the carbon footprint and provision of water conservation.
For future reference, if residents have specific concerns, they would be better served by reflecting these issues to any of the available outlets, either by contacting the park district office, e-mailing concerns to the park district, and by attending monthly Board Meetings.
Sincerely,
Pamela S. Kohlbachcr
President, Park Board of Commissioners
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