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Volunteers plant 25 oak trees; county parks staff report cameras and volunteer outreach plans
Summary
Parks staff said volunteers planted 25 oak trees, benches and deer‑protective fencing are being installed, remote cellular cameras will be used at parks, and staff are pursuing a volunteer program with local schools and partners such as US Silica.
LaSalle County parks staff reported that 25 oak trees were planted by volunteers the week before the April 11 meeting and showed photos of the planting, protective fencing and mulching. Staff also said concrete pads for benches at Shabbina Park will be finished soon and benches should be installed by the next meeting.
Parks staff described a camera system that uses a cellular base and low‑cost data service (staff estimated roughly $15 per camera per month) to send images to a centralized base that can be viewed remotely. Staff said they have tax‑exempt purchasing set up for the cellular service but still need brackets and mounts to hang the cameras.
On vegetation management, staff reported recent herbicide work focused on reed canary grass in Lower Creek and wetland areas, using grass‑specific products in some sensitive areas. Staff emphasized timing and product choice to avoid injuring native plants that were still dormant.
Volunteer recruitment: staff said a formal volunteer program is being developed and that outreach will target local high‑school programs that require volunteer hours (Leland, Earlville, others) and the Regional Office of Education to contact superintendents. Staff also said they have contact information for US Silica and will re‑engage the company about possible partnerships for supplies.
Truck and equipment notes: staff reported a donated 2018 Silverado 1500 work truck has been gifted to parks but requires an OEM brake controller and possibly a receiver; staff will have the dealer install the controller and then add a receiver.
Why it matters: the planting and infrastructure work reflect ongoing park improvements, while camera deployment and volunteer‑recruitment plans affect park oversight and maintenance. Staff asked committees for help with outreach and confirmed plans to advertise volunteer days once dates are set.
