Park District Passes Denning Park Strategy

The Park District of La Grange Board has approved a renovation plan for Denning Park that it thinks will be the least disruptive to the area, but one that neighbors do not favor.

After several rounds of discussion among Park Board members, consultants and Denning Park neighbors, board members supported a plan that was least invasive to the park and does not include the addition of new sewer pipes. The plan, referred to as Option A, involves regrading a drainage ditch that runs along the park's southern borders. The ditch feeds water from Gilbert Avenue into a detention pond. However, the grade of the ditch is slight, and often holds water for weeks after a large rain and serve as a breeding ground for mosquitoes and other insects. The new upgrades are designed to remedy that problem. Additionally native plants will be planted along the drainage ditch to help filter the storm water as well as create a wetland.

Option A was the plan the consultants recommended as well as park district staff. Park District Executive Director Dean Bissias said for more than 20 years he has wanted to bury a sewer pipe, but said after talking with the consultants, he shifted his thinking.

The board was not unanimous in its decision. Board member Lynn Lacey opposed the recommendation to support Option A. Lacey said she met with many of the residents who live around Denning Park, and the majority support the second option which included a buried storm water line. She also said she was not sold on a new parking lot near Mason Drive because of rain runoff. She said if a parking lot needs to be constructed in that area, she wants to see if the contractors can use a permeable asphalt that will absorb rainwater. Also, she wants to see the village's Public Works Department repair the street.

Commissioner Bob Ashby supported the plan, but he hesitated for several moments before casting his vote.

“I think it’s the right way to go, but I’m going to be second guessing myself for some time,” Ashby said after the meeting adjourned.

Commissioner Tim Kelpsas, who attended the meeting by telephone, said he supported Option A because he is concerned about backflow from a sewer pipe.

At a June 6 forum regarding the park renovations, many residents told the consultants and park district staff they wanted to make sure that any renovations made address drainage and flooding issues that are commonplace after a significant rainfall. Several of the residents who spoke at the forum also addressed the board before it voted. Paul Lubenkov and his wife, Terrie, said they supported the renovation plan that calls for burying a new storm water pipe. Lubenkov said that option allows the Park District to use more of the land. He said maintaining the current drainage ditch disrupts the land.

David Whelan, a Mason Drive resident, said he often has to clear debris from a storm water drain after heavy rains wash over from the park. He also said he supports the district’s plan to maintain the drainage ditch.

The Park District has $508,000 in grant money from Lyons Township. Fixing the drainage issues will cost an estimated $106,000. The remaining funds will be used to construct new walkways and parking, remove a couple of storage buildings, relocate a children’s play area and install at least three new multiuse fields.

With a plan in place, Bissias charged the engineering and architectural consultants to work with the village and draft a plan of action.

Jeffrey Braun, an architect tapped by the board to redesign the park, said he hopes to begin bidding out projects by August.