Special Report -- Oak park, Illinois -- Barrie Park

Barrie Park - MGP Remediation Project

New Trees Planted in Barrie Park Neighborhood

November 29, 2005 – A tree spade capable of creating a nearly five-foot-deep hole with a single stroke makes planting new trees on the parkways along Barrie Park move quickly and efficiently. More importantly, foresters say, the spade can scoop up a tree from out of the ground at the nursery with a 90-inch root ball, which is much larger than could be done by hand. The larger root ball means less root loss from transplanting and better survival odds for the tree when replanted. Some 58 trees are being planted on Barrie Park parkways — 34 in the fall, and another 24 in the spring — as part of the recent remediation of the former manufactured gas plant site. Sixteen varieties of trees with trunks ranging from 4.5 inches to 6.5 inches in diameter are being planted at the expense of the utility companies responsible for the clean-up project. Among the tree varieties are Marmo Maple, State Street Maple, Norwegian Sunset Maple, Fort McNair Horsechestnut, Skyline H.L., Kentucky Coffee Tree, Chanticleer Pear, Bur Oak, Chinkapin Oak, Northern Pin Oak, Red Oak, Swamp White Oak, Ivory Silk Jap Tree Lilac, Redmond Linden, Triumph Elm and Accolade Elm. For more information on the tree planting call 358.5700 or email the Forestry Division .

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Community Turns Out to Open New Playground

A crowd of happy residents gathers for the official opening of the Barrie Park Playground. The opening ceremony was May 21, 2005. Work is continuing on the ballfields and Barrie Center. (Photo courtesy of the Park District of Oak Park)

Utilities to Provide Funds for Barrie Park Investment Program

March 16, 2005 – A Village program to help residents near Barrie Park pay for property improvements deferred by the multi-year clean-up of the remains of a 19th century gas manufacturing plant is expected to get a significant financial boost from the utility companies. Commonwealth Edison and Nicor Inc., whose parent company once operated the long-defunct facility in what is now Barrie Park, have offered to give the Village $7,500 for each property whose owner participates in the Village's Barrie Park Investment Program – up to $700,000.

"This offer from the utility companies is not tied to the park or neighborhood remediation program," said Village President Joanne E. Trapani. "The Village had asked the utility companies to participate in order to help us stimulate investment in the area’s housing stock and return the vibrancy to the Barrie Park neighborhood. We urged them to view their financial participation as a goodwill gesture."

The Village program offers a $15,000 grant that does not have to be repaid and a $15,000 interest-free loan that does not have to be repaid until property ownership is transferred. The funds are intended for property improvements, both interior and exterior.

"The Barrie Park Investment Program has been recognized by many neighborhood property owners as a virtually risk-free way to help pay for improvements that will enhance not only the value of their homes, but the neighborhood as well," said Village Manager Carl Swenson.

Owners of about 40 of the more than 100 eligible residential properties have elected to participate in the Village-funded program since it was created last May. The program is expected to remain active through 2005.

Added Swenson, "We are confident that the number of participants will grow over the months ahead and are urging owners of eligible properties who have not yet applied to do so soon."

For information on eligibility and the application process, call 358.5424 or email the Community Services Department

. Information also is posted along the right margin of this page.

Utilities Update Schedule for Ongoing Activities

December 8, 2004 – In a letter sent to Barrie Park neighborhood residents on Dec. 2, ComEd and Nicor provided a tentative schedule for ongoing activities. Please remember these dates could be affected by the weather. The schedule is as follows:

ComEd and Nicor said they would provide further updates if changes to the schedule are anticipated. For information on street closures and resurfacing, call 358.5720 or email the Public Works Department

Alley Reconstruction Continuing

September 28, 2004 -- Two alleys near Barrie Park have been declared priorities by the Village Board so that residents near the park redevelopment do not face further disruptions after the current construction ends. Alley construction on the 1000 block of South Lombard Avenue and the 1000 block of South Taylor Avenue between Garfield and Harvard streets began in early September and will soon be completed. Soil samples were taken from the two alleys prior to excavation to ensure no coal tar was present. A pocket of material removed from the south end of the Lombard alley is thought to be paint or asphalt most likely dumped at the time of the alley’s original construction. Waste material found in the north end of the Lombard alley is thought to be common plant-era fill, but is not coal tar. The utility companies are working with the Village and the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to manage the materials appropriately. Air monitoring is being conducted by environmental consultants hired by the Village during the entire alley sampling and reconstruction project, as well as during any private residential clean up. No air issues have been identified during any phase of the alley clean up. For more information call 358.5777 or email the Village

May 4 , 2004 – The Village Board recently approved a Barrie Park Investment Program that includes loans and grants, as well as a buyout option. Loans and grants of up to $15,000 each will be available for properties in Areas 1 and 2, and specific properties along Garfield Street between Lombard and Humphrey avenues. The voluntary buyout option will be available to owners whose properties tested above action levels. For details on the program click on the links below to view them in an Adobe Acrobat PDF format:

Comments may be sent via e-mail to the Board

or through the U.S. Mail addressed to Village President and Board of Trustees, Village Hall, 123 Madison St., Oak Park, IL 60302. For more information, call 358.5777 or email the Village

November 3, 2003 -- Two reports just released by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) have found no apparent health risks for residents living near the Barrie Park manufactured gas plant remediation project.

The reports, one analyzing air monitoring data and the other incidences of cancer within the 60304 zip code, were prepared by state health officials at the request of Village officials. The analysis of air monitoring samples includes a review of the air data gathered from August 1993 before work started, as well as air and soil data gathered in February 2002. The cancer incidence report summarizes a 1997 study of the entire Village, a 1999 study of the 60304 area and a 2000 update of the 60304 area.

According to the IDPH analysis, the air and soil data were protective of acute (short-term) and chronic (long-term) exposure. The cancer incidence found no increase in cancer cases in Oak Park's 60304 zip code area than expected.

Copies of both reports can be downloaded here or reviewed at the Oak Park Department of Public Health in Village Hall, 123 Madison St. For more information, call 358.5480 or e-mail the Health Department.