Published: November 23, 2009 07:50 pm      

Park work completed through grant

By TESA CULLI

tesa.culli@register-news.com

MT. VERNON — Work which was earmarked to be paid through a $40,000 Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Priority Lake and Watershed Implementation Program grant has been finished, although the total project continues to be a work in progress.

The city was awarded $40,000 in 2004 through the grant program, which allowed the city to use dedicated staff and equipment as part off the required match in funding to stabilize the shoreline for Veterans Park Lake. In October, a new walking trail around the lake was officially opened, with its new asphalt covering, landscaping and areas for future placement of benches and swings.

According to information from the Parks Department, the first stages of the phased in project began in 2004 with the removal of about 12,000 cubic yards of sludge from the lake by Brainard Backhoe and Dredging. The remaining projects were delayed by numerous events, according to the Parks Department, including the storms in July of 2006. It was during this delay that erosion concerns were discovered along the west side of the lake, and the city modified the original project so those problems could be addressed.

The Parks Department and the City Engineering Department worked together to rebuild the southwest levee, which is also part of the trail around the lake, using city laborers and equipment. As part of the solution, the city placed large pieces of concrete and 50 pound rip rap along 80 percent of the lake shore. Smaller pieces of crushed rock were incorporated over and between the rip rap.

“We have definitely addressed the problem with erosion,” Parks and Facilities Director George Bryant said at the time the work was completed. “We’ve also increased the width of the embankment by more than double, so what the public will end up with is an 8-foot wide paved walking trail.”

On Oct. 20, the walking trail was officially opened.

“Now that work has been completed, the Parks and Recreation Department is using the improvements as a springboard for future growth at Veterans Park,” information from the department states. The department has now kicked off a Memorial Park Bench and Memorial Park Swing program to allow members of the community to “honor loved ones, commemorate special events in their lives, or businesses to show their support for their community.”

The benches and swings will be placed around the lake or trail and include plaques that designate the purpose of the gift.

Anyone who would like additional information on the Memorial Park Bench or Memorial Park Swing program may contact the Parks and Recreation Department at 242-6890, and may see an example of the swings and benches by visiting the city’s Web site at www.mt.vernon.com.