Numerous complaints from residents surrounding Hillcrest’s Powers Park are leading village officials to now address the issues with the Flagg-Rochelle Community Park District.
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HILLCREST — Numerous complaints from residents surrounding Hillcrest’s Powers Park are leading village officials to now address the issues with the Flagg-Rochelle Community Park District.
Although the park’s hours are sunrise to sunset, residents have noticed people on the grounds at all hours of the night. Alcoholic beverage containers are also being dumped in neighboring lawns.
“[The offenders] tip the tables over, there has been drinking in there and people are throwing beer bottles in backyards,” Steve Dodson, Village President said. “These issues have come up more this summer. Last year we didn’t have too many complaints, but this summer has been entirely different. It’s time to contact the park district and address this.”
Adding, “We will draft a letter to discuss our concerns. It can be a liability for the park district.”
Dodson indicated the property had been donated several years ago and that because Hillcrest couldn’t maintain the park, the park district took over, gaining ownership.
Because the park is nestled in the middle of homes, access is off of Wayne Road in between two homes. There have also been several reports of cars driving around the peripheral of the park on a gravel road intended only as a bike or walking path.
Other business
Trustee Tim Ball expressed a need for a Hispanic caucus in the village, saying he believes this would be a way to inform the Spanish-speaking community members of important news and events.
The approval of the automatic flushers for the village fire hydrants was tabled in order to acquire more information from village engineer, Jim Sparber. Dodson said the rust issues are an ongoing problem. Dodson suggest installing a permanent hydrant flusher at River Road.
“It will pull everything from Scott, River, Jeffrey, Hillcrest and Ramona. That is a low corner,” Dodson said. “We want a portable on that we could move to different areas…if we have a problem, we can move it.”
Village officials also discussed the increased semi-truck traffic on non-truck routes along with several complaints of excessive speeding on village streets.
Village trustees will be holding another special meeting to discuss the budget, scheduled for Wed., Aug. 2 at 6:30 p.m. at Village Hall.
