East Lagoon fence goes down

by Joe King

Lovers of the lagoon, rejoice.

The fence that has surrounded the East Lagoon for more than a year came down last week, officially marking the end of extensive renovation and rehabilitation of one of Northern Illinois University's signature landmarks.

The lagoon, which has been part of the university since its inception, was originally known as Dee's Pond, named for an ice cutter who ran his business there. It was expanded in the 1930s as part of a Conservation Construction Corps project, and its popularity grew as a hang-out for students. In 1942, the university even began holding graduations there and, over the years, it became a popular spot for weddings and other formal gatherings.

The lagoon also quietly served an important practical purpose, acting as a catch basin to prevent silt from washing into the adjacent Kishwaukee River.

It did that job well, and by the mid-1990s, it was clear that something needed to be done soon unless the university wished to replace the East Lagoon with the East Meadow. At its deepest points, it was only a foot or two deep, and in many spots it was covered by mere inches of muddy water.

Those conditions led to the dredging of the lagoon in 2001 as part of an $8.5 million drainage improvement project. The project increased the average depth of the pond to about 5 feet. It also allowed for the restoration of the old "graduation bridge," the rebuilding of some badly eroded islands and the installation of additional lighting around the pond.

Ornamental plants and grasses also were planted along the shoreline. However, heavy rains last spring washed away those seeds. That bit of misfortune was followed by a long hot summer that made replanting impractical - much to the frustration of university employees and DeKalb residents who missed the opportunity to stroll along the lagoon.

The landscaping was replanted early this fall, and by last week had firmly taken root, allowing the fences to come down, much to the relief of Patti Perkins of Finance and Facilities, who has managed the project.

"I was getting asked all of the time when the fence was coming down," Perkins said. "I think it's wonderful that there was that much community interest in the lagoon."

Only a few small jobs remain to be completed at the East Lagoon, Perkins said.

The skating bench, located on the southern shoreline, is being rebuilt (from the original boulders) and should be ready in time for winter. Also, while all of the grasses and forbs have taken root, it might be a few years before they all flourish and can be enjoyed in all of their glory, she added. The area near the university gates, where the construction gate was located, also still must be repaired and reseeded, she said.

As for the rest of the drainage improvement project, work also is progressing.

Most of the new bridges over Watson Creek are complete or nearly so. The two exceptions are those located nearest Cole and Neptune halls, which will not open until work on a new patio area in front of Cole Hall is complete, hopefully by the end of the calendar year.

Work on the Lorusso Lagoon on the west side of campus is also complete, and fences there should be removed by the end of October.

10/21/02