LaSalle County parks staff buy burn gear, prepare Catlin Park nature center displays

Kenneth Parks told the LaSalle County property committee on Feb. 13 that the parks department has acquired fire‑resistant personal protective equipment for crew members conducting burn piles and natural‑area prescribed burns. "I ordered burn gear, helmets ... face shield and a shroud that wraps around, it's all fireproof stuff," Parks said, adding the new PPE will be used for both debris burn piles and woodland or prairie burns.

Parks staff also described plans for a small nature center in Catlin Park. Parks said he obtained double‑sided educational posters from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and built plexiglass, hinged display frames so visitors can view species photos and open a panel to read identifications and notes. He said the displays will be supplemented by printed checklists visitors can take into the park and a small donated‑book library in the first room of the center.

Parks warned that larger woodland burns would require formal permits and possibly contractors, noting state and federal permitting rules and local fire chief approval for significant controlled burns. He said small winter burn piles are manageable under routine permitting. He also reported a separate building‑management issue: higher electric use in a Corn Belt modular building traced to a misbehaving control panel that he reset and has since monitored for improvement.

Committee members asked practical questions about propane, electricity and whether contractors or more formal burn plans would be needed for larger projects. The committee requested photos of the new displays and asked Parks to follow up on energy costs and any contractor needs for large woodland burns. The meeting moved on after Parks' update with no formal motions tied to these items.