If a recent poll is any indication, the Park District of La Grange stands a good chance of seeing a $13.86 million referendum win approval on Election Day Nov. 5.
Voters will cast “yes” or “no” votes on the following ballot referendum:
“Shall the Park District of LaGrange, Cook County, Illinois, improve and equip parks and park facilities, including constructing and improving athletic courts, upgrading athletic fields and building infrastructure, increasing accessibility with Americans with Disabilities Act compliance measures, improving and expanding pathways and renovating playgrounds and park shelters, and issue bonds of said Park District to the amount of $13,860,000 for the purpose of paying the costs thereof?”
The park district survey was sent to 6,274 households and 7,228 registered voters in the park district, with a response rate of 18 percent, the park district website said.
Of those respondents, 73 percent said they were likely to vote in favor of the referendum, while 19 percent said they would probably or definitely vote “no” on the question.
“We wouldn’t put it on (the ballot) if we didn’t feel it wasn’t going to pass,” said Jenny Bechtold, executive director of the Park District of La Grange.
Per the park district, the estimated annual net tax impact of the proposed $13.86 million bond measure would be $63 for a home with a fair market value of $500,000 — about $5 per month.
Bechtold said if the referendum fails, “we’ll have to regroup.”
“We’d have to look at our budget and determine what the next best steps would be. But again, that would be a board decision moving forward,” she said.
“The plan we developed is multi-generational, so there’s something for everybody because we wanted to make sure it’s inclusive … But there are some new amenities, which is very exciting,” she said.
If the referendum is approved, the spending plan calls for:
- The district’s first dog park at Gordon Park.
- A nine-hole disc golf course at Denning Park.
- Gordon Park would also get an irrigation system, new backstops, more shade trees and a band shell that could be used for special events, rentals, concerts and recitals.
- Four pickleball courts would be added at Sedgwick Park.
- Spring Park would gain playground equipment.
- A soccer field would be added to Denning Park
- A new door would be added between the park and building at the community center at Washington and Lincoln.
“The plan also includes 42 new shade trees, six ornamental trees. … We’re not planning on removing any trees, which was of great importance to our community,” she said.
For those seeking to learn more, an in-person meeting is set for noon Nov. 4 at the recreation center, 536 East Ave.