Two water-related items discussed July 20
by Melanie Jongsma
LANSING, Ill. (July 22, 2020) – At the July 20 meeting of the Lan-Oak Park District Board, Superintendent of Parks and Maintenance Michelle Havran explained that the water fountain at Paws ‘n Play Dog Park (17551 Chicago Avenue) has not been reinstalled this year in order to remain in compliance with state mandates about containing the spread of COVID-19. The fountain is removed each winter in order to prevent water line breakage during deep freezes. Normally it is reinstalled each spring, but this year the parks closed on March 31 as part of quarantine restrictions, and the fountain was not re-installed. When the dog park and other parks re-opened on May 29, amenities such as water fountains and playgrounds were not included, as they would require sanitizing following each use. The water fountain will remain uninstalled until restrictions are eased.
In addition, the park district is planning to install an irrigation system at Paws n Play to ensure the grass remains lush. As reported in a follow-up email from Senior Superintendent Sharon Desjardins, the system will be installed by Aqua Designs, a residential and commercial irrigation and lawn sprinkler system installation company based in Rockdale, Illinois. The project will cost $13,240 and will require three days of work, during which time the dog park will be closed to members. The timing of the installation is unknown at this point, as the contractor is awaiting permits from the Village of Lansing. Once permits are issued and the work is scheduled, signs will be posted at the dog park, and park district staff may call all dog park members to ensure they are aware of the three-day closure.
Residents who have questions about the dog park—or who would like to comment on other park district matters—are invited to contact their elected Park Board officials or park district staff directly:
- Email Commissioner Jim Long, President
- Email Commissioner Bob Tropp, Vice President
- Email Commissioner Jon Kelly
- Email Commissioner Micaela Smith
- Email Commissioner Karen Adams
- Email Superintendent Sharon Desjardins, or call 708-474-8552
Park Board meetings take place at the Eisenhower Fitness Center (2550 178th Street, Lansing) on the third Monday of the month.