Nativity, Other Displays Will Be Allowed at Arlington Heights Park

The Arlington Heights Park District will allow private groups to put up displays in North School Park during the fall and winter holidays, including nativities, the Daily Herald reports. Last year, there was controversy when a former resident wanted to put up a nativity at the park, and the board did not have a specific policy on what it would allow.
Board members clarified their position this week, and said that displays will be allowed now at North School Park at Arlington Heights Road and Eastman, from the Friday after Thanksgiving until the Saturday after New Year's Eve. They also said displays will be allowed at Memorial Park at Freemont and Chestnut for seven days before and after Memorial Day. While the park district will not be sponsoring any display, groups will have to submit an application and pay a $200 deposit for private displays. The displays also must have a sign saying who is sponsoring it.
Originally last year the park district denied the nativity, saying it only uses its own decorations at the park. However, the Thomas More Society then filed a complaint saying denying it went against the First Amendment. The park district then granted a special use to allow the nativity last year, and board members decided they would clarify the district's position.