(A) Location: The City plans in conjunction with local park district plans shall be used as a guideline in locating park sites. A central location which will serve equally the entire development is most desirable. In large developments, these sites can be located throughout the development according to established standards for park area developments. There may also be situations where a site adjacent to an existing or future park site is most desirable.
(B) Credit For Private Open Spaces And Recreation Areas: When subdividers or developers provide their own open space for recreation areas and facilities, it has the effect of reducing the demand for local public recreational services. Depending on the size of the development, a portion of the park and recreation area in subdivisions or planned unit developments may, at the option of the City Council, be provided in the form of "private" open space in lieu of dedicated "public" open space. The extent of same shall be determined by the City Council based upon the needs of the projected residents and in conformance with the "Standards for Park and Recreation Open Space" which is incorporated herein and made a part hereof by reference.
In general, a substitution of private open space for dedicated parks requires a substantially higher degree of improvement and the installation of recreational facilities, including equipment by the developer as part of his obligation. Detailed plans of such areas, including specifications of the facilities to be installed, must be approved by the City in accordance with the "Standards for Park and Recreation Open Space". Before any credit is given for private recreation areas, the subdivider or developer must guarantee that these private recreation areas will be permanently maintained for such use by the execution of the appropriate legal documents. When an adjustment for private recreation areas is warranted, it will be necessary to compute the total park land dedication that would have been required from the subdivision or planned unit development and then subtract the credit to be given; provided, however, in no event shall the credit exceed fifty percent (50%) of the total park land dedication that would have been required.
(C) Buildable Area: The land to be dedicated shall be appropriate for park and recreation purposes. Each park site shall include a buildable two hundred foot (200') by two hundred fifty foot (250') site for a park building and a one hundred fifty foot (150') by one hundred fifty foot (150') site for tennis courts with uniform soil bearing capacity of at least three thousand (3,000) psf based on soil boring data to be furnished by the subdivider or developer. Such buildable areas shall be a minimum of three feet (3') above the flood crest elevation of a 100-year frequency rainfall to assure adequate protection of such buildable areas and the improvements constructed thereon from flooding hazards.
(D) Improvements: Each park site shall be located on a fully improved street, with sewer, water, electric and gas facilities available at the property lines. Enclosed drainage, curb and gutter and streetlights shall be included if otherwise required for the subdivision or development. At least twenty percent (20%) of the perimeter of the site shall have direct access to a fully improved street, and at least two (2) access routes or easements shall be provided. Any pedestrian access route or easement shall be at least thirty feet (30') wide and any vehicle access route or easement shall be at least fifty feet (50') wide.
(E) Topography: Each park site (other than play lots) shall have sufficient level areas, uninterrupted by streams and drainage ditches, to permit its development for football and baseball fields without additional expense for rough grading, and without the infields of baseball fields overlapping the football fields. The entire site shall be rough-graded to provide adequate storm water runoff so that there will be no storm water standing within any required buildable area, or on any play field area, and the overland flow rate shall be determined in accordance with the rational method based on a 100-year frequency rainfall as defined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Adequate clay seals with overlapping topsoil shall be placed upon exposed peat areas within any required play field areas. Where low, swampy land is to be considered for dedication by the developer, he shall provide an adequate outlet complying with all codes and regulations, or if not drainable, the areas shall be deepened to a depth suitable for the proposed use (to be negotiated for each condition). The slope, topography and geology of the dedicated site as well as its surroundings must be suitable for its intended purposes, and shall conform to the standards of the applicable park district. Grading on sites dedicated for park and recreation uses shall not differ greatly from surrounding land.
(F) Special Requirements For Park Sites Which Include Storm Water Detention Or Retention Areas: Water impoundment areas included in a park site to be dedicated shall meet the following requirements in addition to any other requirements imposed by the City or other public bodies having jurisdiction:
1. The edges of the pond above the low water mark shall be sloped for ease of maintenance with ordinary equipment.
2. Adequate overflow channels and structures shall be provided meeting all requirements of the various public bodies having jurisdiction of these water impoundments. Further, such channels and structures shall be designed and constructed so as to prevent soil erosion and sedimentation under ordinary flood conditions and to minimize soil erosion and sedimentation under extraordinary flood conditions (100-year frequency rainfall).
3. At least sixty feet (60') of space shall be provided between static water lines of ponds and the lot lines of adjacent subdivision.
4. There shall be at least a two hundred foot (200') suitable roadway access around the impoundment at high water level, wide enough for maintenance and emergency equipment. The roadway shall conform to the specifications set forth in the "Standards for Park and Recreation Open Space".
(G) Minimum Size Requirements For Park Sites Which Include Storm Water Detention Areas: The minimum size of any park site which includes storm water detention areas shall be five (5) acres. No more than fifty percent (50%) of such park site shall hold water during a "100-year rainfall". At least thirty percent (30%) of the available high ground within such a park site shall be of sufficient size, shape and quality to provide recreational facilities, playgrounds, picnic areas and/or play fields.
(H) Minimum Size Requirements For Park Sites Which Include Storm Water Retention Areas: The minimum size of any park site which includes storm water retention areas shall be five (5) acres. No more than one-third (1/3) of such park site shall hold water during a "100-year rainfall". At least fifty percent (50%) of the site must be of good high ground of sufficient size, shape and quality to provide adequate recreational facilities, playgrounds, picnic areas and/or play fields. The lake contours must be approved by the applicable park district for aesthetic quality, safety and recreational functionability (i.e., ice skating, fishing, etc.) and by the City Engineer for hydraulic quality. The banks shall be protected by riprap placed and secured above and below the static water level and sodded above the high water level, all in conformance with current State of Illinois Highway Department specifications. Each lake shall be tapered and terraced for safety and shall conform to the specifications set forth in the "Standards for Park and Recreation Open Spaces". (Ord. 0-56-87, 12-7-1987)