The Daily Herald from Arlington Heights, Illinois • Page 34

Old construction method used Section 3 Thursday, November II, 1976 Swamp land becomes play area A relatively obscure constnictiofi technique that dates to 19th century Italy is being used to transform a swampy portion of Ginger Creek in Oak Brook into an eye-pleasing recreational and flood control area for the Oak Brook Park District. The technique being utilised by Du-Oo Construction of Glendale Heights, a subsidiary of llie Hofbnan Group, involves the use of rockfiUed wire baskets called gabions to construct a type of dam known as a weir or check dam. At Ginger Creek, the new weir will be used to convert a swampy portion located across Jorie Boulevard from the Butler International Sports Core into two re- serv'oirs of 2.75 and 3 acres. Its function is to slow down storm water flow and to form a stilling basin that will add to the esthetics of park area. Gabions, which were first used in their present form in 1894 to seal a breach along the bank of the Reno River near Bologna, Italy, are compartmented rectangular open-weave cages of thick steel wire.

EACH GABION, with by inch openings, is assembled on the site. To the eye a gabion looks like a chicken-wire basket in whidi the sides, ends, and compartments are formed into a rectangle with binding wire. gabion is fUled with stones that are four to eight inches in size. IMien a basket has been filled, the lid is laced to the rest of the container. For structural integrity, each cage is also wired to all the others it touches.

When one row has been filled and corniced, the bases of empty gabions are tightly uired to those underneath and the process is repeated. According to Bruce Thatcher, project manager for Du-Co, this technique is a jN'actical and economic way to biuld the flood control reservoirs mid also combat sml erosion. He explained that two types of cage were used in the Ginger Creek jM-oject. First, after the removal of earth to form the reservmrs, a portion of the floors of the reservoirs were lined with revet mattresses to help support the weir. Revet mattresses are smaller forms of gabions that measure about nine inches deep and use smaller and fewer stones.

THEN THE WEIR was built above the revets. It is 55 feet wide, 9 feet high and six feet thick. FUTUMD THIS WIIK TONMPOtULMIESTY A Nm mMm onir for tht most dbcriniinotifv buytr nttdi 4-S Hts, iiMds on fn-fow rongomorn or ntods on offko ot homo. Mostor suHt is 25x15 wHh wok-in dostt, both dressing OTM. St(mt firiploco in FX, douWo potm, Ivgt bright kitchm ond in 0 most dtsiraUi oroo of Arlington Hoights.

SnOIOCMDO In-town Ari. Hts. dost to train, shopping, oil convtnwncos. loundry A storago oroos in boso- mont. Stovo ond inckidod.

Idool for singit porson who wonts to own 0 homo. eUSSKtEORCEtOWN In Shofhtid, this 4-M Colookit hos oil tht do- sirod omtnitios ond shows booutifuHy. Now froo-form potio ond foncod plus frmMy pointtd oxtorior trim. No mointononco, with stono ond okiminum. in IR, country kitchon combinod with FR.

Sop. dining room, 1 St fl. loundry. $67tf00 a A WINDMIll BROKER Mole. Things Move!" 398-3200 PUtsa Executive Bldf.

259-5702 121 S. WUke ArUngton IB Mtmbor M.A.P. Multiplo Liitinf Servioo Dear Mr. and Mrs. Seller Wewm GUARANTEE to sell your home OR BUY rr OURSELVES! WHAT GREATER SECURITY COULD YOU HAVE WHEN BEING TRANSFERRED OR WHEN PURCHASING ANOTHER HOME, THAN TO HAVE YOUR PRESENT HOME GUARANTEED? YES, if we can't sell it we will simply BUY YOUR HOME! MEMBER OF: MAP MMtipli Swvico EwmiwMlinh Stan tarf ef REALTORS IkkoComtyltaitiploLiitmiSwvict Itko Coonty toord of REALTORS EonstM-NorthStaroMoltipteListmiSorofet WorttamtSitartao Soord of REALTORS Sahertae MeMple Listing Seroiee LOCAL OFFICES Glaiwiew-Noithbrook 724-7900 Hoffman Estates- Schaumburg 882-0700 Lake County 949-0100 210 LOCAL OFFICES Mount Prospect- Arlington Heights 253-7600 Prospect Heights- WheMing 299-6000 Du-Co used 160 tons of limestone to fill all the cages forming the Ginger Creek weir and reservw floor.

In addition, a clay wall has been built adjacent to the weir to prevent percolation of water and enable the reservoirs to retain water. Two of the key benefits of gabion construction, besides speed and economy, are that it permits the formation of a continuous wall that resists erosion and is more flexible than an impermeable structure, said Thatcher. is very desirable with moving he said. strength and flexibility of the steel wire mesh lets the gabions settle and change contour without any loss of efficiency. And the controlled flow oi water prevents a buildup of hydraulic pressure.

Interestingly, gabions tend to bind themselves up as structures. Sediment that supports plant growth tends to deposit in the voids between rocks. The growth of vegetation with their root systems add strength. This acts as a bonding agent and helps the installation blend into its surroundings. Jon D.

Sommer, executive director of the Oak Brook Park District, said that some decorative landscaping is under construction. plant some ivy in our weir to help it blend into the he said. the herald A HOME? THE HOMES FOR LIVING TRADE-IN CAN UNLOCK THE EQUITY IN ANY HOME ANYWHERE IN THE NATION. ask us how! cau 255-5300 WM. L.

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Koekw 0 Aiilngfon Hts. CVSTtMMLT SPUT-U VEL Outstanding home with decorator touches throughout. 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, large paneled family room, separate dining room, oversize garage, profes- sionoT landscaping and moture TREES! $74,990 2-bedroom. 1 -both condo in quiet, nicely- mointoined building. AAove-in condition.

New kitchen floor, refrig, plus washer and dryer. AAony closets, paneled dado, thermo balcony doors and windows. Low maintenance fee. $29,999 OpenHeuee SundeyltoS HonovrPork SPACNMSRAISiB RANCH 4-bedroom raised ranch in lovely neighborhood convenient to shopping. Paneled fomily room adjoins large basement utility ond work oreo.

Den or 4th bedroom on lower level. $43,900 LOT FOR SALE Schoumburg Lot in Bronlgor Pleos- ont Hills area. This is fully-improved, vocont lot. $39,900 RARRmorONMlLS AAognificent 12-room brick and stone Country French hillside ranch. 5-6 bedrooms, 5 Vi baths with marble topped vonities, 6 fireplaces, saunas, elevator, 2 utility-loundry areas, 2 patios, 3-cor goroge, horse born, regulation tennis $435,000 SCARSRAU Attractive 4 bedroom Colonial with large paneled family room, new wood cabinet kitchen, fireplace, separate ree.

room, centrally air conditioned. Beautifully decorated, lovely patio with privacy fen- COZTIANCN Attroctive 3-bedroom ranch on quiet street with country atmosphere. New both ond kitchen with breakfast bcr. Oversize lot with fenced yard ond garden plot. Utility room plus workshop for the handyman.

ANRAHfCOMO What beautiful place to come home to! Entire surroundings ore so inviting. And this home is cozy and for. This lovely. 1-bedroom home is complete and the price is so low. See If real soon! MSMBSorrMimirr Delightful, intimate lounge, with rough sown cedar siding walls, huge dining room with fireplace, plus patio for a friendly, attractive beer garden.

Zoned for restaurant, bar and package goods. $215,000 RiARnFRL COLONIAL Lovely 4-bedroom. home with 2-cor garage in choice oreo of Arlinoton Heights. Large family room with fireplace, central air, walking distance to pork school, close to shopping expressway. RAIKH Quolity-built home with 2-3 bedrooms, full basement, natural woodwork and hardwood floors, summer porch is jolousied and overlooks large, private, wefl-londscoped yard with mognificent lighted fountain.

$45,900 Opan oum J603 5. Hts. REAOnFlL ROME Lovely split-level with sub-bosement, 3 bedrooms, boths, central air conditioning. 2-cor garage. Large fomily kitchen overlooks spacious, paneled family room with attractive fireplace.

$79,900 QH-Great American Homes RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE Robert Doioskey Anothor Groat Amorican Full Timo Profossionall! Bill Hedmon Soles Associate Welcome Bill Hedmon Dole Hodowoy jt Lorry Loureto 3 bcdroomt, 1 baths, seporete dining room, on has foods of cabinets. New built in oven range, spocious reor yord with New fumoce. forced air gos. very well meinfoined. $53.900 fVBRYTHING STAYS.

IVIRYTHING Mi0reenVltlaen t-shoped 4 bedroom ronch offering washer, dryer, refrigerator, dishwasher, oven range, disposal, corpeting ond ail dropes ond curtains. Lorge onclosed porch (great for kids) over-siaed yard with patio. Attoched garage with etectrk door opener. CODE76-47237 DIRTYI Elk Grove Village This home is not! Rrobobly the cfeortest best decora oted "Douglas" ranch ever seen. 3 large well dofte 2 complete utility room, gos cent.

oir. Cathedral ceiling liv. rm. overlooks your very own courtyard. This is specioi home! CODE.

76-71168 $65,900 Robert Hail BRICK RANCH FUU BASEMENT Oet Rfalneg iMiremeiy well mointoined orte owner heme offering 3 bedrooms, lorge kitchen, full basement. finished with recreation room ber. workshop, utility room, bothroom. All drapes, curtains, carpeting slay 2 cor brick goroge. central air ond new roof.

CODI. 76 69464 $55,900 IS the only description for this impeccable 4 bedroom, 2Vf both. Elm Split level. Featuring: Sub- bosement plus family room, custom drapes end curtoins, ceramic foyer, centrol air. Dog run Just move right in and $73,900 Carol Mojer -VIS Neal Moseno HOME FOR Hoffman EitetM Spocious 4 bedroom, both raised ronch, paneled family room.

Central oir, covered potie. Fenced yord, beautiful moture londscoping, greet location and more. See it todoy. CODE 76-69564 154,900 This 6 room, 3 bedroom ranch wTth baths is probably one of the cleonest hemes you will see. Forced ges heat, a super yord that's 90x110 for the kids and school is in walking dittonce.

The corpeting ond dropes look brand now. Don't weit any longer. Coli to it todoy. CODE: 79-70362 $53,500 Frank Romliok SCHAUMBURG-RAIKH 7 im 3 iu. oltadwd Gor.

Heoted. lorge wooded yord. Fireplace. New carpets in Kit. Gos Rodiont Heat.

Refrigerator, Carpeting T.O. Stona -uctien. ExcoNont locotion. 3 Frm. Construction CODE 76 67549 this super-tquooky cioon move into con- ditien ronch stylo homo.

6 rooms. 3 bodrooms, 1 boths, ottochod goroge, lovely londscoping ond yard. Ideolly locoted with walk to oil schools mid porks. Hold to boot of only -X I JohnLindfoy it Home of the Million Dollar Salesmen 778 Arlington Heights Road (Longfellow Elk Grove Village.