The Streator City Council this week approved an agreement between the city and the Friends of Spring Lake for the care and upkeep of the natural land northwest of Streator.

The agreement applies for one year from the effective date. Each party has the right to opt out of the agreement at the end of the year with a 60-day written notice. If neither party gives notice of opting out, the agreement will automatically renew on a yearly basis.

In the agreement, the volunteers agree to:

• Open and maintain hiking and equestrian trails.
• Monitor the park to assure ordinance compliance.
• Secure parking lot for containment of motorized vehicles.
• Provide signs related to trails.
• Provide an information sign with trail maps and ordinances.
• Provide pedestrian and equestrian access across streams.
• Develop educational opportunities in cooperation with schools.
• Construct a handicapped-accessible ramp at the pedestrian bridge.
• Provide two campsites for use by resident hosts.
• Provide a large sign for the main entrance.

Meanwhile, the city will:

• Mow the grassy area north of the parking lot and trail heads.
• Remove trash from trash receptacles.
• Provide signs related to ordinances and park boundaries.
• Pay utility bills (electric and water).
• Provide highway signs at Route 18 and Kangley Road.
• Provide police presence and response.
• Provide restroom accommodations.
• Mark park boundaries.

As part of the agreement, each party will supply necessary equipment and personnel to conduct its operations and neither shall loan or borrow an employee of the other party.

Each party may independently obtain and maintain insurance coverage during the term of the agreement. Neither party will have an obligation to extend coverage to the other party or its personnel.

Each party agrees to waive and release any and all claims against the other party for any loss, damage, disease, personal injury or death resulting from the agreement. All employee expenses are the responsibility of the individual parties.