Crow Island turf restoration taking root

After nearly a year of figuring out how to clean up debris left behind at Crow Island Woods following a major construction project, the property is set to reopen this summer.

Costa Kutulas, director of parks and maintenance, gave a brief update to the Winnetka Park Board on April 24 about the restoration progress.

As previously reported by The Record, Crow Island Woods was the site of an intergovernmental project between the park district, Village and Winnetka School District 36, as a result of the Village’s extensive stormwater project. But last June, as the project was wrapping up, debris — including broken glass — was found throughout the site.

After cooperating with the Village and District 36, the Park Board worked with a contractor to replace 12 inches of topsoil.

Kutulas said, as of April 24, 6 inches of topsoil was cleared. After being inspected by both park district and Village staff, it was felt that all the debris was removed.

He added that the restoration will “continue moving forward.”

“(The contractors) are going to start bringing in topsoil as early as (Friday), and they’re going to continue backfilling that site with turf restoration, probably the next week,” Kutulas said.

Reportedly, the turf installation will take two weeks and be followed by 30 days of watering.

Once that’s done, Kutulas said Crow Island Woods will be turned back over to the park district.

In response to a question from Commissioner Cynthia Rapp, Kutulas said the park district anticipates opening the site back up to reservations around the Fourth of July, but it could happen sooner depending on how quickly restoration is completed.

Commissioners were glad that the work is nearly finished.

“It’ll be nice to have that asset back in the portfolio,” Board President Christina Codo said.

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