Residents to Determine the Future of Parks & Rec in La Grange Park

On April 4, 2023, the Community Park District of La Grange Park is asking residents to vote on 2 measures that will definitively decide what parks and recreation look like in La Grange Park for the next 20+ years.

The Ballot Measures:

1. Should the park district increase the limiting rate by $0.03 to generate an additional $150,000 in revenue annually for park operations?

If this measure passes by itself: $150,000 would be allocated to the improvement and maintenance of parks.

If it passes in conjunction with the bond measure: The $150,000 would be utilized for start-up operations (additional utility costs, staffing expenses, supplies, etc.) for a new multi-purpose gymnasium and recreation center expansion at 1501 Barnsdale. Once the facility becomes self-sustaining (which the park district anticipates could happen as early as the first year), that revenue would be reallocated to improving and maintaining the parks in La Grange Park.

2. Should the district issue $10.7 million in bonds to fund the expansion of the existing recreation center, which includes securing the Early Childhood space and adding a multi-purpose gymnasium with a stage and walking track?

If only this measure passes: The park district will do nothing.

Both measures must pass to move forward with the recreation center expansion.

Tax Impact:

If only the rate increase measure passes, and you own a home with a fair market value of $350,000. your household would invest an additional $3 per month in the maintenance and improvements of the parks in La Grange Park.

If both the bond measure and rate increase pass, and you own a home with a fair market value of $350,000 – your household would invest an additional $19 per month.

Both measures must pass for the park district to pursue the recreation center expansion.

To see what the tax impact would be on your household, visit https://www.communityparkdistrict.org/referendum/calculators.

The tax impact calculators are hypothetical estimates based on a mathematical calculation of potential interest costs of 4.44%, assuming hypothetical current rates for unlimited tax general obligation bonds rated Aa3. Estimates assume the District’s 2021 EAV does not change. The Median home value in the Village of La Grange Park is $364,400 according to the U.S. Census 2020-year estimates.

Why is the park district asking residents to decide to expand the recreation center?

Community Feedback:
The Community Park District has been evaluating our program models and increasing community engagement since 2019 to better serve the residents of La Grange Park. Since then, the district has collected data from hundreds of program evaluations, conducted several social media pulse surveys, as well as completed a Comprehensive Master Plan.

The Master Plan process included:

• Residential Park Pre-Planning Surveys that were available from November 15 - December 4, 2021. The preliminary surveys touched on residential parks only (Beach Oak, Yena, Robinhood, and Stone Monroe) and helped us gather important preliminary information.
• A virtual and in-person public workshop was hosted on January 13, 2022 from 6-8pm.
• A Community-Wide Survey was open from January 24-February 18, 2022. The survey instrument was available online, and was promoted through a postcard mailed to every household in La Grange Park, through the park district social media outlets, the Village's email list, the park district's email list, electronic sign, flyers at events, and more.
• A second public workshop was held on Tuesday, March 15, 2022 at 6:30pm at the Recreation Center, 1501 Barnsdale Road.
• A 3rd public workshop was held on Monday, May 16 at 6:30pm

The park district stated at its March 22, 2023 Townhall, that this information and the complete Comprehensive Master Plan can be found online at https://www.communityparkdistrict.org/about/master-plan.

Financial and Programming Trends:
The Community Park District has improved its financial position by nearly 300% since hiring Executive Director Cannaday in 2019. Despite navigating the effects of a global pandemic, the district’s leadership has improved the district’s two operating funds – Corporate and Recreation – by 125% and 35% respectively. In fact, the Corporate Fund is within the district’s fund balance policy for the first time since at least 2017. By April 30, 2023, the recreation fund is projected to be within its fund balance policy for the first time since at least 2016. (You can view the audited financial reports here.)

In 2020, the park district introduced a new summer camp program to La Grange Park for kids in grades K-5. This is a service that had not been available to residents in the past, and market analysis and community feedback determined that it was a need within the community. This year, summer camp alone will serve more than 145 families in La Grange Park and generate more than $176,000 in NEW revenue for the park district. The program is currently at capacity with a waitlist. This capacity is determined by the existing indoor space available to the park district.

To put things in perspective, prior to 2019, the total summer revenue for all summer programs combined never exceeded $116,000.

Moreover, in conducting trend and behavioral analysis, the district found that La Grange Park residents spend $500,000 annually on recreational programs and services at the Park District of Lagrange. This, coupled with the response to new programming in La Grange Park exhibit a latent demand for programs and services that the park district is currently not offering its residents.

The proposed referenda measures, and expansion proposal were developed with community input and a strong commitment to fiscal responsibility.

The Community Park District of La Grange Park is one of the lowest funded park districts in Cook County. We serve a residential population of just under 13,500 within a landlocked community. The Community Park District board and staff understand that La Grange Park is unique and it is the district’s responsibility to present unique solutions to meet the needs of the residents.

The proposed facility is a concept that fits within the property available to the district as well as the district’s debt service margin. To ensure that the district could continue to grow to meet the additional needs in the community, the proposed facility would be designed with the foresight and infrastructure needed to add a green roof on top of the gym, and a second story above the proposed lobby to accommodate a plan for a complete renovate the existing programming space. This future possibility is indicated in the phase 2 drawings. The district would pursue these improvements in the future if there were future demand and if funding was available. The park district has no intention of going to referendum to fund phase 2 improvements.

The park district understands that the concept would not provide La Grange Park with a recreation center that is comparable to neighboring communities. Instead, it offers a solution tailored to La Grange Park that would provide a more secure space for the community's children who currently participate in preschool and camp, as well as provide additional opportunities for residents to learn, grow, and play here at home. Moreover, the park district would continue to strengthen our relationships with community partners and utilize the spaces they provide to us (such as the schools).

The park district is asking residents if they want to finance this expansion in order to provide additional recreational opportunities and revenue streams for the improvement of the entire park system. If residents are satisfied with the current level of service and park conditions, they can vote no, and the park district will continue operating status quo.

How does the park district fund park improvements?

In FY 2022/23, the Community Park District levied $1,275,174 in taxes. 51% of that levy is allocated to park maintenance and improvements ($345,925) and the existing annual non-referendum bond payments ($306,748) that financed larger park improvements such as Memorial Park, and the upcoming Beach Oak and Yena Park improvements.

The park district also is on track to generate $69,000 in alternate or alternative revenues (interest, sponsorship, and donation revenue, grant revenue, etc.), as well as $669,000 in program fees.

The park district has 10 active funds, 8 of which are dedicated to specific expenditures like the annual audit, Special Recreation, and insurance. Two funds are operating funds (the Corporate Fund and the Recreation Fund). These operating funds have a 50% fund balance requirement. Once the district meets its fund balance requirement, revenue over and above that 50% requirement may be used for capital improvements. It is important to note that the Corporate Fund was within its fund balance requirement at the end of FY 21/22 for the first time since 2017, and the recreation fund will be within its fund balance requirement at the end of this fiscal year for the first time since at least 2016.

What causes an excess of revenue in these funds and increase the money available for park improvements? Revenue generating recreational programs like Summer Camp and Pickleball, grant revenue, lower than anticipated expenditures, donations, and sponsorships all contribute to funds generating additional revenue.

The second option for funding park improvements is through referendum and non-referendum bond issuances. In 2020, the park district issued $235,000 in debt to complete the renovation of the Memorial Park Sport Courts, which included the addition of three pickleball courts, an outdoor fitness court, and completely rebuilt the existing tennis courts. The total project cost was over $431,000, with the remainder being financed through our special recreation fund and alternative revenue sources such as a $24,000 in individual sponsorships and a partnership with Strive. The district also received $25,000 in TIF funding from the Village of La Grange Park.

To take advantage of historically low interest rates, the Community Park District refinanced existing debt that was issued in 2011. On November 8, 2021 the Community Park District approved a $3 million bond parameter ordinance, which is a parameter the park district could not exceed. The new non-referendum general obligation bond issuance was approximately $2.3 million in aggregate. Half the issuance was dedicated to refinancing existing debt, and approximately $1.3 million is earmarked to finance projects and park improvements for our community. This money will be utilized to complete a full renovation of Beach Oak Park this July as well as to complete significant improvements at Yena Park.

Because of the significant refinancing savings, the new debt issuance has a nearly $0 impact on residents' tax bills. Furthermore, the new payment structure will only extend out one additional year from the existing schedule.

Unaudited projections from this fiscal year indicate that the park district will add more than $100,000 to its recreation fund balance due to the outstanding performance of summer camp in 2022 as well as the new revenue generated from Pickleball and other programming. Currently, program capacities are determined by the amount of space available. Increasing the space would increase the program revenue potential for the park district by providing expanded and new opportunities for our community. This, in turn, would increase money available for park improvements.

How did the board decide to go to referendum in April?

The Community Park District Board of Commissioners began discussing the potential of going to referendum at the regular board meeting in November of 2022. After discussing the measures and financing options in November, December, and January regular meetings, the board scheduled a special meeting to provide additional time for community input. The board unanimously voted to put the measures on the ballot for the April 4 General Consolidated Election at a special meeting on January 13, 2023.

General Consolidated Elections are the opportunity for residents to weigh-in on the candidates, policies, and projects that directly affect your property tax dollars and home values. General Consolidated Elections are so very important because they determine the direction of your schools, parks, villages, and more.

Why is the park district asking to build a gymnasium?

The Community Park District is actually asking residents if they want to see La Grange Park provide a secured space for preschoolers and summer camp participants, improved community gathering space, as well as a multi-use gymnasium through a recreation center expansion that would allow the district to increase program offerings for all ages and interests. The concept was developed based on results from the Master Plan process (surveys, focus groups, etc), program trends, program evaluations, as well as district and industry data. It is true, La Grange Park residents spend $500,000 annually at the Park District of Lagrange alone, so we know there is latent demand for recreational services here at home.

Didn't residents already vote against a gymnasium?

The last time the Community Park District of La Grange Park went to referendum was in 1998 (25 years ago). At that time, the park district asked for a $0.13 permanent tax rate increase to fund the construction and expansion of a recreation center in La Grange Park. The measure failed in April of 1998 by 26 votes. Since then, the Lagrange YMCA closed, further limiting La Grange Park resident access to indoor recreational facilities. This coupled with the programming and financial trends as well as latent demand, is why the park district is asking residents if now is the time to increase recreational services in La Grange Park and if residents feel this investment would benefit the community as a whole.

What’s Next?

Only La Grange Park residents can determine what is feasible for the community and what the future of parks and recreation will look like here in La Grange Park. Whether you would like to see increased park improvements and programming, or you are completely satisfied with the level of service and the park conditions, please go out and vote on April 4.

The park district board and staff look forward to achieving the vision you set on April 4.

For more information, visit www.communityparkdistrict.org/...