LaSalle County parks staff report new Catlin bathroom, restored trails and Earth Day work

County parks staff reported improvements at county recreation sites, saying the restroom at Catlin is officially open and that crews have started restoring a newly mowed path in the park's north field.

The update came during the LaSalle County Properties Committee meeting, where parks staff displayed photos from an Earth Day event and described recent maintenance work at multiple park sites. "I don't know if it was official at the last meeting but our bathroom at Catlin is open. It's officially open. Water tests are passed and everything," said Kent (staff member), the parks presenter.

The staff presentation included before-and-after photos of new utility poles and lighting near a fishing pond; the presenter said the new poles place power lines higher above the water so anglers won’t catch lures on low lines. Kent also said crews found and repaired rotten posts and noted minor storm damage from a heavy rainfall three weeks ago that caused short-lived erosion on some trails.

The committee heard that a new path in the park's north field has been laid out; crews plan to herbicide, mow, seed and restore that corridor so it is fully accessible. Kent said he has been doing restoration work on natural areas, hand-wicking invasive phragmites to protect newly planted native species such as compass plant and prairie dock and that lupine is blooming in restored areas this year.

Staff also said the Catlin modular building now has septic and water hooked up and that minor leaks are being addressed under the modular warranty. "We have water hooked up to the modular, the septic and water. There's a couple leaks, so I have to do I'm getting that fixed under kind of the building modular buildings warranty," Kent said.

Parks staff reported no major equipment failures; one tractor had a hydraulic leak and a mower belt broke but both were repaired. The presenter said summer reservation season is under way and crews have multiple upcoming bookings.

The committee did not take formal action on park operations during the report; members asked clarifying questions about the visitor center ramp and furnishings. Kent said staff budgeted last year for picnic tables and that some older chairs are available from courthouse donations.

The report closed with staff confirming updated safety equipment for maintenance crews — including helmets and respirators for particularly messy cleanup work — and that seasonal help had started work in recent weeks.