LaSalle County parks director reports restroom building ready, well installed; internet and staffing still unresolved

Ken, the county parks director, told the LaSalle County Property Committee on Jan. 10 that a modular restroom building at Cantland Park is functionally complete but is waiting for final exterior work and power before the county turns on water.

“The well is done. They got water up. It’s running. Good to go once we charge it,” Ken said, describing the recently finished well and the decision to delay filling the building’s system until spring to avoid freeze damage. He said the site still lacks the ramp and decking required for handicap access and that county staff will meet next week with the modular vendor for a final walkthrough before signing off.

The parks director said the building still needs a permanent power connection. A private contractor known as Corn (the transcript reference) or utility provider was scheduled to install a pole to bring electricity to the site; Ken said he would follow up if it did not happen by early the following week.

Ken described ongoing winter park maintenance at Cantland Park and other county sites, including brush-clearing and planned small burn piles next week. He said crews have replaced many lights with LEDs, cleaned the nature center, and prepared picnic tables for maintenance.

On county fleet and equipment, Ken said an older GMC 35100 park truck that had a fuel leak and lighting failure has been repaired and returned to service as a backup plow truck; he said the county may auction that truck this summer.

Committee members asked about internet service at the park. Ken said he had contacted Starlink multiple times without success, and that the service model appears to require customers to purchase online before any local pre-sales assessment. He summarized pricing options mentioned on vendors’ websites: a one-time hardware cost in the neighborhood of $500 and monthly service fees that can range from about $50 up to several hundred dollars depending on bandwidth.

“I really think the Starlink will work if I could just get someone to help me,” Ken said, adding he had also checked availability with T‑Mobile and Mediacom but had not found reliable offers for the site. Committee member John offered to assist in researching options.

On seasonal staffing, Ken said the worker who helped last year told him he plans to return this summer; Ken said he will confirm and, if that person declines, the county will advertise the position.

The parks director also briefed the committee on other maintenance items: LED light upgrades in the nature center, small scale brush and pond clearing, picnic table repairs and readiness of the county’s plow trucks.

The committee did not take formal action on the Cantland Park building, power, internet or staffing at the meeting. Ken said activations such as filling the plumbing will occur in spring after the county confirms power and backup arrangements.

The committee convened and adjourned the property meeting as scheduled; roll call and procedural motions are recorded separately in the meeting actions summary.