BTPD board discusses generators, fitness equipment | Bradley | daily-journal.com

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O’Shea

BRADLEY — After six months on the job as the executive director for the Bourbonnais Township Park District, Mike O’Shea has gotten his footing.

“It’s been very good so far. Everyone has been helpful,” O’Shea said after the board of commissioner’s committee of the whole meeting Monday.

“Anywhere you go to a new job, there is learning at first. Understanding what worked and didn’t work. Figuring stuff out.”

Two of O’Shea’s latest projects to investigate are possibly placing fitness equipment along a portion of the trails as well as adding generators at four district buildings.

The two topics were discussed by the board and O’Shea.

More power

The generator project came about following an extended power outage following a summer storm.

“The board was talking about placing generators at Willowhaven Park, Recreation Center, Exploration Station and the park district offices in the Perry Farm Park farmhouse,” O’Shea said.

“We went over how feasible it would be if something like that would happen. We wanted to see what options we had.

“We haven’t decided anything. Nothing has been voted on. We’re going to get some more information to see how much each [generator] will cost.”

The board decided Willowhaven would be the first building to get a generator. The barn is rented out for weddings, bridal or baby showers, family gatherings or for business meetings.

“That would be beneficial,” Commissioner Jeff Mullinax said.

Fitness addition

A new feature on the paved trails at Perry Farm Park would be seven fitness stations walkers and runners could use.

“We have so many visitors, walkers, runners of all different ages,” O’Shea said. “We’ve mapped out seven areas the equipment would work out.”

None of the stations would be movable, O’Shea said.

“All of them would be just stationary pieces for some quick workouts,” O’Shea explained.

Fish story

O’Shea told the commissioners that on Oct. 11, Illinois Department of Natural Resources personnel stocked the ponds at Willowhaven, Diamond Point and Turnberry Park with 130 fish. Those included bluegill and largemouth bass.

Jeff Bonty is a reporter for The Daily Journal. He can be reached at [email protected] and 815-937-3366.

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