Journal & Topics Media Group

Rosemont Park District Elevator, Playlot Projects Advance


Progress is underway on several Rosemont Park District projects, although not as quickly as initially hoped.

At Lange Park, prep work for the new elevator is nearly finished, with studs and wall finishing expected soon.

The timing of the next phase of the work is up to Otis Elevator, said board secretary Larry Cullerton, who has been serving as the board’s contact on that project.

The board has agreed to install a pair of glass doors between the elevator and the cardio room, for $6,812. These will be similar to the doors off the Lange Park lobby into the board meeting room.

The park board, meeting Tuesday, April 10, approved the purchase of rubber mats and soft crumbled rubber mulch for the soft surface for the renovated playlot area at Barry Recreation Center.

The board had researched various soft surface options, and decided it liked the rubber, but was concerned that the mulch pieces might get redistributed over time and not provide enough surface to absorb falls.

Park Director Karen Stephens said the mats will be squares, placed on top of the smaller rubber pieces under swings and slides. Board President Rick Drehobl said additional pieces will be above the mats.

The board agreed to purchase the mats needed from Zenon for $1,370.

The mulch comes in 2,000 lb. bags. Twenty-seven bags in red, blue and black will be purchased from Zenon for $13,878. The materials will be delivered to the park, but the district will install the product once the play equipment is installed.

The board had ordered play equipment from Team Reil, but when it came to choosing an installer, Stephens said a bid from Kenneth Company, for $6,280, was half the bid of the next lowest bidder. Team Reil’s price, the highest, was $14,800.

The board asked Stephens to check the bid and for references, but gave conditional approval if the low bid checks out.

The park district had been hoping, since last year, to work out an arrangement with the Des Plaines hotel that owns the fence on the lot line next to the playlot. Hotel representatives have not responded to a number of requests.

Access to install the play equipment would be easier if the fence could be removed temporarily. The fence needs repairs and the park district had been doing some repairs so it would not fall down.

The district has postponed decisions on ordering safety curbs for the playlot.

Stephens reported that the air conditioning and heating system in the older part of the Dunne Park building has gone out. The board agreed to purchase a replacement furnace and air conditioning unit for $8,600.

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