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Parks supervisor reports tree removal, lighting fixes and winter prep to LaSalle County committee
Summary
Parks staff described a split, diseased oak that must be removed, showed a chemical applicator and new equipment, reported lighting and gutter repairs at the nature center, and said crews are preparing plows and a generator for winter use.
Ken (parks staff) told the property committee Nov. 24 that a large oak at the Shabbat site split and is diseased and will need professional removal.
He demonstrated a portable chemical applicator (described in the record as 'HydroWax') that applies herbicide into tree wounds and walked members through new equipment now on county trucks, including a heavier-duty grading/quick-attach bucket and a rented lift used to replace a failed high-pressure sodium fixture. "It had a bad ballast ... if I'd hired someone to do that, paid for more than paid for the lift," Ken said, describing how the lift’s use covered its rental cost.
Ken said he repaired multiple lights at the nature center but could not finish replacing a second gutter immediately because the replacement section was oriented backward and must be modified. He also reported that a generator for the nature-center bathroom was being installed the same day and that the department will mount two plows on county trucks this week to prepare for snow removal.
On LED conversion, Ken said most fixtures are already LED and that only one or two poles remain high-pressure sodium; the county will convert those as inventory is expended. He estimated the park has "4 or 5 deer so far this year," noting he did not have an exact count.
What happens next: Ken will follow up with a vendor about a water-system inquiry for the bathrooms, schedule tree removal with a contractor for the large oak, and continue equipment and winter preparations.
