La Grange Parks Settle Dispute With Schools

LA GRANGE, IL – The board for the Park District of La Grange on Monday decided to settle a dispute with a local school district over tennis courts.

The La Grange School District 105 board has yet to vote on the agreement, which Patch obtained through a public records request.

Earlier this year, the park board decided against renewing its 30-year-old agreement for the use of the three courts at Catherine Avenue and 53rd Street, next to Gurrie Middle School.

The school district owns the property.

When the agreement ended June 30, the school district closed the courts, saying their condition was an issue.

Under the agreement, the two sides said they wanted to avoid possible litigation.

The settlement requires the park district to give $85,000 to the schools. The park district would no longer have any right to use the courts.

The districts agreed not to disparage each other orally or in writing concerning the dispute.

On July 1, the school district posted signs at the tennis courts stating that the park district terminated the agreement. In the agreement, the signs said, the parks were required to maintain the courts.

On July 1, La Grange School District 105 posted notices at the tennis courts next to Gurrie Middle School that they would be closed until further notice. Under a settlement, the school district would be required to pay $10,000 in damages if it keeps these signs up. (Courtesy of La Grange resident)

Because of the courts' condition, according to the signs, District 105's insurer advised the schools to close the courts until further notice.

The signs apparently rubbed the park district the wrong way. If the school district keeps the signs posted, it will be required to pay the park district $10,000 in damages under the agreement.

That is the same for any other disparagement in relation to the dispute.

According to the park board's meeting minutes earlier this year, the park district already was struggling to maintain its own facilities without taking care of one it doesn't own.

The school district has said it doesn't use the tennis courts for its curriculum.

The park district also has tennis courts at Gilbert and Sedgwick parks.

It is unclear when the school district will reopen the tennis courts, if ever. Patch left a message for comment with Superintendent Brian Ganan.