City of Palos Heights Community Park Ad Hoc Committee met June 28.
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
CALL TO ORDER
Alderman Key called the Community Park Ad Hoc Committee meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. In attendance were Alderman Key, Alderman Begley, Alderman Basso, Alderman Clifford, City Administrator David Strohl, Director of Parks and Recreation Matt Fairbanks, Deputy Clerk Ashley Pala, Director of Public Works Adam Jasinski, Alderman McGovern, and recording secretary Tayler Swiedals.
DISCUSSION REGARDIGN ACCESS TO COMMUNITY PARK
Director Jasinski explained that in the 1990’s, the City applied to change 76th Avenue from a local street to an FAU route, which is classified as a minor collector. The City was then able to apply for federal funding to have the street repaved. The repaving of 76th Avenue was divided into three sections as follows: the portion between 131st to 135th, the portion between Route 83 to 127th Street, and the portion between 127th Street to 131st Street. Phase 1, the preliminary engineering phase, involved doing a traffic study to determine whether traffic signals were necessary, which stop signs were necessary, and locations of street crossings. Morris Engineering prepared a report noting there were 2 streets crossings at 121st Street and 120th Street, and if they were to remain they would have to be ADA compliant. Also, the study showed there were no warranted stop signs on the street, and they were removed. The City chose not to proceed with ADA crosswalks, as there is an ADA access to the park from the parking lot. There was a path that created access to the park off of 121st Street between the bushes. Once the road was reconstructed, concern was raised due to vehicles parking along 76th Avenue blocking the line of site to the access creating a safety hazard. The issue was moved to the Municipal Grounds and Property Committee. Additional bushes were planted to minimize people crossing where vehicles park along 76th Avenue. Those bushes were removed presumably by patrons of the park. The bushes were then replanted and removed again. This led to adding the split rail fence to resolve the issue. There was a traffic accident involving a vehicle that did not stop, and the split rail fence was damaged and replaced. Alderman Begley brought this issue to the Municipal Grounds and Property Committee on behalf of requests from residents in the 3rd ward to have an entrance to the park along 76th Avenue. Director Jasinski’s recommendation is to either have a study conducted to determine whether a crosswalk is needed, or remove the bushes to eliminate the visibility issue. The goal of this committee is to explore potential access design for Community Park.
Director Jasinski explained that the City chose not to install the ADA crosswalk because there were no plans for future development of a sidewalk. There is a sidewalk that goes from Palos East, up 76th Ave, to Ishnala Drive with an ADA crosswalk. There are currently ADA crosswalks installed on Route 83 and Old Oak Trail with the idea to eventually connect a sidewalk to the businesses across the street. ADA Crosswalks require proper striping, ramps, slopes, and the warning tile track.
Alderman Begley expressed the residents have requested to have a designated entrance to the park. Alderman Begley expressed that installing an ADA crosswalk on 76th Avenue would benefit the population it would serve. There is a need to have a designated, safe entrance for residents on 76th Avenue into Community Park. Alderman Basso asked what problem the committee is looking to solve. Director Fairbanks expressed his main concern was finding a solution with safety in mind.
Director Jasinski suggested keeping the split rail fence and pushing section further back creating a secondary fence for people to walk through. He also suggested redoing the landscaping and creating a stone path around the entrance to create a nicer aesthetic for the entrance of the park. This addresses both issues of safety and aesthetics. The committee members discussed this suggestion, and were in agreeance that this would be a good solution. Alderman Key suggested having a committee meeting next month, and Director Jasinski will work with CNC to get a design and proposal for the landscaping.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Alderman McGovern commented that the suggestion from Director Jasinski to create a paved entrance and pushing the fence back would be the best solution.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Alderman Key made a motion to adjourn at 6:27 pm, seconded by Alderman Clifford. All in favor.
https://palosheights.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_06282022-689
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