Buildings and Grounds

Dave Diamond is our General Manager - Facilities, and he is exceptionally productive in maintaining the campus, and at recruiting volunteers for new projects.  Saturday was our annual Chicago Day special event and what could be better than the new billboard?

Riverview

Dan Marquardt supplied the image and assisted in getting it converted to electronic format where Dave was able to get it 'printed'.  The B&G crew had done the prepwork to the billboard previously and made it happen in time for passing cars to see the work.  WELL DONE!

The ride shown reminds me that it might have been the water ride where you sat in a large inner tube and had a small gasoline motor to propel it around.  When time was up, a large fence type boom traversed the pond to rake you into submission along the dock.  And it released the next wave of those floats to have their turn at fun.  What was the NAME of that ride?  Waterbugs??

Here is an exciting report submitted by member and volunteer Ray Bellock -

You may have noticed the removal of sod and soil and deposit of a first installment of a sub-base on a large area on the north side of Barn 3. This is the site being prepared for a children’s play area using playscapes with a train theme on the largest piece that will be installed.

Right Side

Left Side

This project is moving along with uncommon speed for us and will definitely be open for the majority of our summer schedule. Three separate pieces are being installed in this project.  It is moving speedily as a major funding was made by one of our members, supplemented with funds and labor from Dave Diamond’s B & G Department, to get these three pieces. What is common for this project with others around the campus is the need for more funding to add one missing piece to a small child train set ($2900) and about $1000 for landscaping to create an attractive but effective barrier between the play area and the east leg of the wye. If you believe in this as a needed addition to our museum and would like to see it finished or replicated elsewhere on the grounds, your donations of any amount will be gratefully accepted.  A separate restricted account has been established “Playground Project” and be assured that your donation will be used promptly towards these identified needs. Please note that the price of the missing piece will rise if we don’t commit to get it as part of the current order being shipped, so  please consider helping soon.

Our Buildings and Grounds Department, led by Dave Diamond, is just like maintaining the many functions found in our towns, villages and cities.  Today the Bureau of Forestry volunteers were recalled from unpaid leave to work around the campus.  Actually, our volunteers are unpaid whether on furlough or actively engaged in the work.

Damaged Goods

For decades many have enjoyed the shade from a tree just north of our office.  During one of the severe storms of last summer about half of this tree split off and was removed.  Now it was time to finish the job.

Removal

The first operation was to trim off any branches and there was equipment on hand and willing volunteers to load it into one of our dump trucks.

The Grand Trunk

Of course not the railroad, but the remaining trunk was the last to stand.  I think that is Tom Opolony up in the bucket.

The crew continued through the day trimming trees, for example in the Depot Street Shelter area, and also in Electric Park.  Do not worry about the 'employees'.  Throughout the year you will likely see them engaged maintaining the buildings, campus landscaping, or working in the Streets and Sanitation Department, for Snow Command, or in constructing improvements throughout the campus.

And do not forget the fleet of special equipment needed to do this work - keep it in good repair and ready for use on what sometimes is a moments notice.