LaSalle County parks staff updated the property committee March 28 on park improvements including an open restroom at Catlin, camera and internet plans, and seeded native plantings and a tree‑planting event.

Ken, a parks staff member, told the committee "the bathroom at Catlin. It is open. The water is on, and the doors are unlocked." He said the well house at Catlin has been winterized and that staff expect to have water and septic connections ready for a modular building once contractors complete concrete and handicap‑parking work.

Ken said he has estimates for removing two old pit toilets and for cleaning and graveling a parking area; he told the committee he expects much of that work to be paid from a grant. He also said he has estimates for a generator for the modular building but is "gonna hold off...until closer to fall" to see what grant funds will cover.

On security, Ken said the county has "4 cameras for each park" with base stations and solar panels ready for installation and that the images will upload automatically for remote monitoring. He said staff plan to use Starlink to improve internet service at two park locations.

Ken described natural‑area work: Pheasants Forever is providing a seed spreader and seed for seeding roughly 5 acres at each park; Ken also reported he had cleaned and collected extra seed to increase species diversity. He said Audrey, with soil and water, obtained a grant that supports planting 25 oaks and that 4‑H volunteers would help plant the trees that day.

Committee members asked whether the gravel work would require formal competitive bidding. Ken said the gravel estimate is "under $20, I think, or right at 20," and that he was seeking multiple estimates; he said he does not expect to have to put the work out to bid unless costs exceed procurement thresholds.

Ken told the committee staff were also addressing erosion in trail areas and coordinating riprap under an erosion grant; sidewalk and concrete work at Shavon remained dependent on ground and frost conditions, he said.

No formal votes were taken on the parks items at the March 28 meeting; staff said they would proceed with estimates and return with final contract or bid recommendations as needed.