Spring Valley Park District eyes Kirby Park camera upgrades among variety of updates

Spring Valley outlined a multitude of upcoming projects from the city’s park district during Monday’s City Council meeting.

Public Health and Safety Committee Chairman Dave Pellegrini presented the findings and actions from the district’s recent meeting.

Pellegrini said the city’s new dog park is progressing toward completion. He mentioned the fence has been installed and picnic tables and benches have been ordered for the location.

The city is awaiting the arrival of trash cans and dog bag dispensers that have been ordered. The city is anticipating finalizing a sign with the park’s rules once those have been finalized.

“Anybody that wants to go down there and let their dog run around is welcome,” Pellegrini said. “It’s gated. We are going to do some landscaping and then we will do a designation.”

Pellegrini said the park district has received a bid to install pickleball courts in place of one of the existing tennis courts located in Kirby Park.

No final action has been taken on the courts at this time, but the city has continued to work on this project.

The park district also has a plan to relocate two basketball hoops located adjacent to the tennis courts and were installed at a 45 degree angle.

“It was suggested by a lot of people that they wanted to make a court out of that,” Pellegrini said. “So we have to lift them and move them. We are going to put them in line so that people can actually have a game.”

The city also received an ADA swing, which allows for an adult and a young child to use it simultaneously, from a local donor.

“The problem is our existing swing set is not able to handle that,” Pellegrini said.

The city has reached out to the manufacturer of the swing and has received a quote for a new frame set that can support two of these swings and will be installed at Baltikuski Park.

The park district received a bid for updated security cameras at Kirby Park that would enable the city’s police department to view the feeds remotely from the station.

The total estimated cost of these cameras is about $6,000.

“There was some significant damage done to Kirby Park,” Pellegrini said. “Somebody felt compelled to drive their pick-up through the park and do doughnuts. They tore it up pretty significantly. Don’t come to Spring Valley and think you are going to get away with it because our police force got this guy.”

Pellegrini estimated there were several thousands of dollars of damage done to the park itself.

The final note of the presentation noted the city is looking to fill a couple part-time positions for the summer.

Spring Valley is in need of a part-time worker to assist in the preparation of ball diamonds along with emptying trash, cleaning restrooms and a bit of mowing.

The city is looking for someone to oversee the operations at the pool for the summer. This individual would be in charge of the pool’s funds and general inventory.

Anyone interested in the available positions are asked to contact City Hall at 215 N Greenwood St or 815-664-4221.