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Prospect Heights volunteers outline Hillrest Lake shoreline repair, say materials costs push project over budget
Summary
Volunteers described a 150‑foot shoreline repair plan at Hillrest Lake that would add core logs, fill, erosion blanket and plantings. Estimated materials and freight total $9,360—about $3,300 more than the $6,000 annual city contribution set five years ago—so staff will ask the city administrator about budget leeway.
A Prospect Heights natural‑areas presenter on the commission described plans to repair about 150 linear feet of severely undercut shoreline at Hillrest Lake, proposing 16‑inch core logs, oak stakes, roughly 42 cubic yards of fill, erosion blanket and native plantings to stabilize the bank.
The presenter said the work would use two tiers of logs—one stepped into the undercut and one at the waterline—followed by soil fill, erosion blanket and planting. Organizers estimated about 16‑inch core logs at $170 each and oak posts, staples, delivered topsoil, rope and freight, resulting in a materials and delivery estimate of $9,360.
Those figures leave the restoration roughly $3,300 over the city’s established $6,000 annual contribution for the multi‑year shoreline program, the presenter said. The commission discussed three options: use remaining line items in the commission’s budget before the April 30 cutoff, seek a donation from the Friends group, or ask the city for leeway in the annual contribution. The presenter asked that Freddy run the numbers by City Administrator Peter Falcone and report back.
Commissioners discussed implementation timing and staffing: they tentatively targeted a June 1 start for the structural work with planting to follow when native plugs are available, and planned to use interns and student volunteers for planting labor. They noted water level variability as a scheduling risk and said the plan would be flexible to accommodate changing conditions.
The commission did not take a formal binding vote on funding at this meeting; members asked staff to return with any city guidance or alternative funding options.
Why this matters: shoreline erosion can accelerate habitat loss and destabilize adjacent native plantings; the commission’s ability to complete the work depends on finding an extra $3,300 or reallocating other funds before the project procurement window closes.
