Submerged pier jeopardizes Chicago fishing program for people with disabilities
A popular fishing pier at a park in Chicago's Bridgeport neighborhood has been flooded for months — and nobody can access it.
High water levels submerging the pier also threaten to end a program that allows people with disabilities the opportunity to go fishing.
Elmer Mestrovic, a retired special education teacher, is in charge of that program. Whether it's watching wildlife like ducks, geese, and turtles, or casting fishing a line, Mestrovic finds a peaceful piece of nature at Palmisano Park, which sits on the former site of Stearns Quarry around 27th and Halsted streets.
"When I first came here and I saw it, I thought it was the most beautiful thing," Mestrovic said.
For years, Mestrovic has volunteered to take children and adults with physical and intellectual disabilities fishing in the pond. The old limestone quarry is now loaded with several species of fish.
"I enjoy seeing people be happy, and when a kid catches a fish, nothing makes them more happy," said Mestrovic. "They do more for me than I ever did for them."
At the bottom of a descending ramp is a giant pier that makes fishing accessible and safe for those in the program.
"There's a lip so that wheelchairs will not roll off the pie," Mestrovic said.
But since at least last summer, the pier has been under several feet of water.
"It's completely gone," Mestrovic said.
If the high water levels remain, there's no way Mestrovic can keep his fishing program going. Part of the descending ramp is still above water, but there's no way to fish from it.
"They can't fish with this little fishing pole over the railing," Mestrovic said. "It won't even reach."
Mestrovic said he has contacted the Chicago Park District and Ald. Nicole Lee (11th) about fixing the problem ahead of the program resuming next month.
"We're spending so much money on things I don't agree with. We're looking for stuff to keep kids off the street corners and lower crime, and make things better for kids," said Mestrovic. "Here's an easy thing, you know, that's right in front of you. Just fix it."
Ald. Lee's office says crews have identified a problem with a pump, which has already been fixed. She said water levels should return to normal by the end of the weekend.
