Park District Seeks $15.9M Bond Referendum To Repair Facilities

GLEN ELLYN, IL — The Glen Ellyn Park District is seeking a $15.9 million bond referendum to fund improvements, repairs and the addition of four new parks. The referendum question is slated to appear on the ballot for the June 28 general primary election.

The referendum question comes after a unanimous vote by members of the Glen Ellyn Park District Board of Commissioners.

The park district identified the following initiatives as priority projects:

• Sunset Pool improvements and maintenance
• Ackerman Sports and Fitness Center expansion and maintenance
• Maintenance and improvements to other parks
• Acquisition of land to develop four new parks

“We conducted community-wide surveys in late 2021 and early 2022, and our residents were pretty aligned in identifying a series of projects they would like to see us undertake,” Alex Durham, Glen Ellyn Park District Board of Commissioners president, said in a news release.

Durham added, “With a strong directive from our residents, our board voted unanimously to put the referendum on the June 2022 ballot.”

The repairs have been long overdue and would not be covered by the park district's current funds, officials say.

“Repairs and improvements to several older park facilities were identified during needs assessments,” said Dave Harris, Glen Ellyn Park District executive director.

Harris continued, “Lake Foxcroft Park was last improved in the 1970s, Babcock Grove Park was last improved in 1994, and Churchill Park in 2006. To date we have made no investment in a parcel of land along Lenox Road that was purchased in 2007. All of them need upgrades. With the residents’ approval we will be able to expedite these projects and continue providing Glen Ellyn Park District residents high-quality park and recreation facilities along with outstanding services.”