98-103 Resolution No. 98-103
RESOLUTION
ACCEPTING THE WALTON ISLANDS LANDSCAPE PLAN
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ELGIN,
ILLINOIS, that it hereby accepts in the Walton Islands
Landscape Plan prepared by Jerry E. Pask, Registered Landscape
Architect, and dated April 22 , 1998 .
s/ Kevin Kelly
Kevin Kelly, Mayor
Presented: April 22, 1998
Adopted: April 22, 1998
Omnibus Vote: Yeas 6 Nays 0
Attest:
s/ Dolonna Mecum
Dolonna Mecum, City Clerk
City Of Elgin Agenda Item No.
eowc, )
April 1, 1998
TO: Mayor and Members of the City Council
FROM: Joyce A. Parker, City Manager
SUBJECT: Walton Islands Landscape Plan
PURPOSE
The purpose of this memorandum is to provide the Mayor and
members of the City Council with information to consider
approving a landscape plan for Walton Islands .
BACKGROUND
As part of the 1998 budget, the City Council approved funding
Phase 2 of the Walton Islands Renovation Project . Phase 2
consists of the landscaping of the islands with trees, shrubs
and wetland plantings as well as constructing asphalt paths
connecting the bridges for A.D.A. accessibility.
The plan consists of plant material native to the bottomlands
of northeastern Illinois based on Dick Young' s Kane County
Wild Plants and Natural Areas and May Theilgaard Watts Reading
the Landscape of America. Examples of some of the plant
material to be used are : Bur Oak, Swamp White Oak, River
Birch, Cumulus Serviceberry, Sugar Maple, Hybrid Elm, Hackber-
ry, Basswood, Crab Apple, Autumn Blaze Maple (cross between
Silver and Red Maple) , Cottonless Cottonwood, Black Walnut,
American Hornbeam, Arborvitea, Dwarf Redtwig Dogwood, and
Compact American Cranberry Viburnum. Plant material was
selected that has a high survivability rate in high water
conditions and with security in mind to provide adequate
viewing from the main land.
The total cost of the proposed landscape plan is $60, 400 .
COMMUNITY GROUPS/INTERESTED PERSONS CONTACTED
Riverfront Development Committee, Heritage Commission, Elgin
Police and Fire Departments, Izzak Walton League, and Dick
Young, Kane County Forest Preserve.
Walton Islands Landscape Plan
April 1, 1998
Page 2
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Funds are budgeted for this project in the amount of $1.08, 000
for landscaping and accessibility (pathways) in the Riverboat
Fund Capital Account No. 275-0000-791 . 92-32, Project No.
507400 . Of the $108, 000 budgeted, $40, 000 has been earmarked
for the pathway system, with $68, 000 planned for the
landscaping improvements .
LEGAL IMPACT
None.
ALTERNATIVES
1 . Accept plan as presented.
2 . Amend plan as desired.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Mayor and members of the City
Council approve the Landscape Plan for Walton Islands and
request staff to initiate the bidding process for the
improvements .
Respectfully submitted
J ce AP Parker
City Manager
JP
ELGIN CHAPTER OF THE IZAAK WALTON LEA GUE
899 JAYS TREET,P.O. Box 622
ELGIN,IL 60120
April 8, 1998
Mayor Kevin Kelly and
Members of the Elgin City Council
155 Dexter Court
Elgin, I160121
Dear Mayor Kelly,
The Elgin Chapter of the Izaak Walton League welcomes this opportunity to comment ori
the proposed renovation and restoration of Walton Island. In fact, Walton Island takes its name
from the commitment of the Elgin Chapter and other community leaders to create a network of
islands below the Kimball Street dam. Although that commitment occurred decades ago,the
Elgin Chapter has continually strived to increase awareness and appreciation for the Fox River
river front in Elgin.
Members of the Elgin Chapter of the Izaak Walton League have served on the Fox River
Task Force, participated in clean-up activities with Roy Scout Troop 10 along the bike path that
extends south from the river boat, have supported efforts to promote open space along the Fox
River, and have followed closely several plans that have been put forward for Walton Island.
The Elgin Chapter of the I•raak Walton League was briefed recently by Mr. Jerry Pask
with the Elgin Parks and Recreation Department regarding the current plan for Walton Island,
We believe the plan that Mr Pask presented is an excellent one for the following reasons:
1.) The shoreline protection matting will allow for establishment of shoreline vegetation
that is a better interface for fish and wildlife. Additionally, the matting is much less expensive
that the steel sea walls that were once envisioned.
2.) The shoreline vegetation,together with the vegetation that will become established in
the shallow water next to the island and on the island,will enhance the aesthetic appeal of the
island from people along the shoreline.
3.) The focus of the plan for the north Walton Island is reestablishment of natural
vegetation that might have appeared on an island in the Fox River at the time of settlement in the
Fox River valley. The natural vegetation can help current generations become familiar once
again with the natural plants and beauty that once grazed the Fox River valley. The Elgin
Chapter believes the focus of the planning effort for the north island is much preferred to the
"fairytale"theme that was once proposed.
4.) Finally, the plan includes a variety of native plants that have been reviewed by Mr.
Dick Young. Mr. Young is the author of the book entitled "Wild Plants and Natural Areas of
Kane County". The Elgin Chapter is pleased that the plan proposed by the Elgin Parks and
Recreation Department has been endorsed by a recognized expert in using native plant species in
landscape design.
Mayor Kevin Kelly
Page 2 -
The Elgin Chapter of the Izaak Walton League appreciates and supports the major theme
for renovation and restoration of Walton Island. That theme is to utilize native plant species in a
landscape design that will provide visitors to the island(s)a glimpse of the natural beauty of the
Fox River valley. The theme will also provide an opportunity to promote conservation of natural
resources and to tell the story of settlement in the Fox River valley by the Voyaguers that
traveled the Illinois country by way of the Great bakes or the Mississippi River.
If the Elgin Chapter of the Izaak Walton League can be of further support in promoting or
implementing this plan, please contact either President Dick Bruneman or myself. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Bill Jones