Old Plank
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Latest News
Overview
Benefits to the Area
Project Timeline
Latest News (Updated May 20, 2011)
Despite a snowy winter and rainy spring, the contractor continues to actively work onsite as weather permits. Following is an update on progress to date, as well as upcoming work planned for the area as part of this project:
Stormwater Excavation
Work to excavate the stormwater detention area is approximately 50 percent complete. As of May, nearly 4,000 truckloads of material have been removed from the area. In addition, the majority of the underground storm sewer and the flood control structures are complete.
The retaining wall that runs from north to south along the west side of the property is nearing completion. This wall will have a decorative concrete face to give the appearance of a stacked stone wall.
What's Next?
- A pump station and underdrain system will be installed in the bottom of the stormwater detention area to keep the basin dry so mowed hiking paths can be used by the residents. The remainder of the area will also be excavated and the retaining wall will be completed.
- Work will begin to remove the failing storm sewers in the neighborhood and replace them with new perforated sewer pipes. This replacement is expected to help convey storm water through the neighborhood in a timely fashion and reduce the sogginess of the ground in the Spring Hill Greenway.
Weather has delayed the work in the Spring Hill neighborhood. Once a start date for this work has been determined, residents will be notified via postcard mailing, e-news and this webpage. Once it has begun, the work is only expected to take a few weeks to complete; if the weather cooperates.
Project Schedule
This project is still on schedule and slated for substantial completion in fall 2011.
Landscaping
A significant number of trees and other types of landscaping will be planted on the site. Installation is expected to occur in early fall depending upon the project schedule and the preferred planting times for the materials. The prairie restoration for this area is planned for Spring 2012.
Overview
In fall 2010, the construction work began to expand the existing detention area within the Old Plank detention basin to accommodate additional stormwater storage during major storm events.
In addition, work in the area includes the replacement of the failing storm sewers within the Springhill Greenway and the relocation of the Park District play lot from a low-lying area to a higher area east of the eastern loop of Springhill Circle. The improvements within the Springhill neighborhood will improve the overall appearance of the area and make the play lot usable more often than the current location.
Benefits to the Area
Springhill, the Old Plank basin and the adjacent Clara Ray Farm will be excavated approximately eight feet deeper to provide additional stormwater storage. As part of this project, the following will also occur:
- Deteriorated sections of the existing storm sewer system within the Springhill neighborhood will be replaced.
- The playground will be relocated to the east of the eastern loop of Springhill Circle.
- New playground equipment will be installed at the new location.
See the following Naper Notice for more information about the project as well as a map of the planned construction.
Project Timeline
Date
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Project Description
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May 2009
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The City of Naperville hosted a public open house to provide information on plans for Old Plank.
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Fall 2009
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The city completed the acquisition of the Clara Ray property immediately west of Old Plank. The land was needed for the expansion of the detention area and will result in new open space open to the public.
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Summer 2010
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The city and the Park District finalize an agreement to deed Old Plank to the city in exchange for open land elsewhere in the city.
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Summer 2010
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The construction plans were completed
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October 2010
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Construction activities in Old Plank began. Work in this area is expected to take one year to complete.
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Spring 2011
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The failing stormsewer within the Springhill Greenway will be replaced to reduce the occurrence of water in the drainage swale.
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Fall 2011 – Spring 2012
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Old Plank will be landscaped and restored as a native prairie with walking trails for the public.
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