Flossmoor Elementary District 161 Board members addressed safety concerns Monday at Heather Hill Elementary School related to the construction of a stormwater detention basin.
Crystal Cleggett, a longtime resident who lives across the street from Heather Hill, said she found a child playing in the detention basin’s construction site Aug. 12, four days before the start of the school year.
The basin, adjacent to the school’s playground, is enclosed by a 6-feet-tall temporary chain link fence to keep children away from the equipment and the large detention basin, which residents believe poses potential safety risks. The village also adjusted the basin’s original planned location, increasing the distance from the school’s playground from 30 feet to 55 feet.
However, residents Monday expressed concerns the fence alone may not be sufficient.
“This is not at a park that you allow your kids just to go to. This is where this child comes almost nine months throughout the school year. This is this person’s safe place,” Cleggett said. “We got to put all these parameters, where before we didn’t have to have that, like there were other options.”
Construction of the basin was initially expected to be completed by Aug.12, but weather delays pushed the project into the school year. Once completed, it will be 700-feet long, 250-feet wide and 15- to 20-feet deep. While it is intended to prevent flooding throughout the village, its proximity to Heather Hill Elementary School and the loss of green space sparked concern and opposition from residents.
After finding the child, Cleggett said she surveyed the fence to learn how the child was able to get in. Portions of the fence were bent over and other parts had large holes children might fit through, she said.
“The fence is that flimsy that these kids were able to push it down,” she said.
Board member Michael Rouse II said he has driven by the fence on a number of occasions and noticed holes and gaps that he deems a safety hazard.
“I drive by there every single day, and there’s been more than one or two occasions where I saw situations that I didn’t perceive were safe,” he said. “I was really hopeful that those issues would be resolved prior to the start of school. That concern escalates now that were in the school year, regardless of whether or not we have supervision, there’s still an opportunity for kids to be put in a dangerous situation.”
Superintendent Dana Smith urged Rouse to contact him directly when he spots holes in the fence so they can be promptly addressed. However, Rouse emphasized the need for the board to implement an immediate safety plan rather than rely on reactive measures.
“My reaction is, I don’t want to have to call,” Rouse said. “I want that safe regardless of whether I drive by there or not.”
Board members discussed hiring personnel to monitor the fence throughout the school day and agreed to explore investing in a 24-hour surveillance monitoring system that may include motion detection.
Board member Cameron Nelson questioned whether it is within the board’s responsibilities to acquire surveillance, especially outside school hours.
“We consented for it to be there,” Rouse said. “So we have the responsibility to address it, whether through our own means or through the village.”
Board member Christina Vlietstra questioned the safety risks, noting the basin remains dry most of the year and has only had a minimal amount of standing water throughout the construction process.
“We know there isn’t water in there, but do we need to get to the point where there is water in there and something happens?” Cleggett said.
A group of Flossmoor residents filed a lawsuit to halt construction of the detention pond citing safety concerns, but the village filed a motion to dismiss the case, which is back in court Oct. 7.
Smith told board members he expects the project will be completed within the next three weeks. Once completed, a permanent fence will be installed to keep children away from the pond. The village also plans to line the bottom of the basin with native plants.
Some residents expressed frustration a safety plan was not prioritized before construction began.
“Do I want people to not have to experience flooding in their backyards and in their homes, of course. And I get it, but I don’t know how child safety is going to come into the budget if a child gets hurt,” Cleggett said.
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