Title
Arbor Lake Park Restoration Project - Phase 1
History
Arbor Lake Park is located northeast of the intersection of Will-Cook Road and Oak Hill Drive, just south of the Arbor Pointe subdivision and west of the Doctor Marsh Prairie Path. The site was acquired by the Open Lands Commission in 2002 and rezoned in 2025 to the Open Space District. This zoning designation is intended to protect parks, natural areas, retention ponds, detention basins, civic and fraternal non-profit organizations, and open space corridor connections.
Arbor Lake Park is considered a “passive” park, as it does not include playground or athletic facilities. Instead, the site is defined by its natural areas, walking paths, gardens, and fishing opportunities. The northern portion of the park is the most developed area and includes a wooden pergola, wishing well, native gardens, and walking paths. Maintenance staff currently access the site via a narrow pull-off along Will-Cook Road, while park visitors typically utilize on-street parking along Oak Hill Drive.
Public Works staff and Village landscape and mowing contractors actively maintain the site. In addition, a dedicated local volunteer has, over the past several years, undertaken significant efforts to beautify and enhance the park. Building upon these efforts, Public Works and Hey and Associates have been working collaboratively to develop a comprehensive ecological restoration plan to bring the site in line with Village standards for natural area stewardship. It should also be noted that Arbor Lake will be placed under an aquatic weed stewardship program beginning in 2026.
Phase 1 of the Arbor Lake Park Restoration Project primarily focuses on the removal of invasive species, including pear trees and buckthorn, that have overtaken the northern portion of the site. This phase is intended to open sightlines into the park and increase public awareness of the site and its natural amenities. The Phase 1 plan was developed collaboratively by Public Works, Hey and Associates, and the abovementioned local volunteer.
Phase 2 of the project is currently in design and will address the site as a whole over multiple years, subject to available funding. Final plans for Phase 2 will also be developed collaboratively by Public Works, Hey and Associates, and members of the local community.
In 2020, the Village established a pool of pre-qualified Ecological Restoration Contractors (ERCs) from which the Village solicits ecological restoration and stewardship (i.e. maintenance) proposals. The ERCs selected were Stantec (f/k/a Cardno Inc.), Davey Resource Group, Pizzo & Associates, and V3 Companies. Since that time, the Public Works Department has had extensive experience working with all ERCs on a variety of projects. All of the ERCs have proven to be highly profession and experts in their field of work. A Master Agreement was established with each ERC, which precludes the need for a new contract for this project.
Proposals for the Arbor Lake Park Restoration Project - Phase 1 were requested from all ERCs on December 9, 2025. A pre-bid meeting was held on January 7, 2026. Contractors were requested to provide prices for seven (7) focus tasks, including invasive weed clearing, path establishment, native seeding, and a one (1) year stewardship (2026). A summary of the proposals is provided below:
Davey Resource Group, LLC
Focus Maintenance Areas (Total Cost): $25,259.00
Stewardship Year 1: $4,200.00
TOTAL: $29,459.00
Stantec
Focus Maintenance Areas (Total Cost): $32,800.00
Stewardship Year 1: $10,600.00
TOTAL: $43,400.00
Pizzo and Associates
Focus Maintenance Areas (Total Cost): $53,760.34
Stewardship Year 1: $13,760.00
TOTAL: $67,520.34
V3 Companies
Opted Not to Submit a Proposal
Staff recommends awarding Arbor Lake Park Restoration Project - Phase 1
including all seven (7) Focus Maintenance Areas and the Initial Stewardship (2026) to Davey Resource Group, LLC for an amount not to exceed $29,459.00. No contingency is requested.
Financial Impact
Funding for the Arbor Lake Park Restoration Project - Phase 1 is available in 1008010-443500.
Recommended Action/Motion
I move to approve and authorize the execution of a Contractor Agreement with Davey Resource Group, Inc. of Elmhurst, IL as the lowest cost, qualified responsive proposal for the Arbor Lake Park Restoration Project - Phase 1 including all seven (7) Focus Maintenance Areas and the Initial Stewardship (2026) for an amount not to exceed $29,459.00;
AND
Authorize the Village Manager to execute all related agreements, subject to Village attorney review.