Schools

Proposed LFHS Track Concerns Neighbors

People living near Lake Forest High School worry proposed drainage plan could increase flooding.

Construction has begun on a new eight-lane state of the art track at Lake Forest High School but some of the neighbors are concerned the overall drainage plan could increase flooding in the area.

The overall concern is not as much about the track itself, but a detention area to capture storm water in the grassy area between Lindenmeyer Field and the eastern boundary of the school.

The area currently there to capture excessive rainwater must be deepened to meeting existing Lake County storm water requirements, according to Deputy Superintendent for Finance and Operations Allen Albus.

“Storm water requirements have become increasingly more stringent over the decades (since the track was built),” Albus said. “The county says you have triggered a change so you have to comply with the current storm water requirements. When the track was built there were none.”

The current water detention area will be deeper but will have drainage pipes to allow excess water to escape into the storm water system in the event of a heavy rain. “We have to dig it down and put in natural plantings,” Albus said.

Some neighbors, like William Bennett who lives across the street from the school, are worried the project could create flooding in an area where none has existed for a while. “We used to have flooding,” Bennett said. “They (the City of Lake Forest) installed a storm sewer. Ever since we’ve had no flooding.”

Bennett and some of his neighbors plan to attend the Lake Forest High School District 115 Board of Education meeting June 11 to see if other alternatives are possible to assure there is no flooding and the grassy area can remain.

“They (District 115) could install a self draining track which could empty into the sewer at the north end (of the property),” Bennett said. “If it (the track) was porous there would be minimal runoff.”

Ablus insists the new track and athletic field it will surround are being done according to requirements imposed by Lake County. It is also being built to enhance safety of runners and others using it.

The earthwork for the project will begin June 10 and should be finished before July 4 when the base will be poured, according to Ablus. After it cures, the running surface will be installed and it too will need time to season before it can be used. It should be ready by mid September. The field it encircles will take another year before completion.

Albus also said the track was being expanded from six to eight lanes to make it easier to finish athletic events before dark on a field the school intends will remain unlighted.

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