Countryside Needs Partner On Parks

WESTERN SPRINGS, IL – Countryside needs a partner when it comes to parks. Western Springs is poised to fill that role.

Pleasant Dale Park District covers about a third of Countryside, which means the rest of the town's residents don't get resident rates for park services.

Countryside's agreement on parks with La Grange was not renewed after it recently expired, according to a Western Springs memo.

Under a proposed agreement with Western Springs, Countryside residents would enjoy resident rates for recreation programs in Western Springs.

In return, Countryside would allocate more soccer fields for the AYSO soccer organization that serves Western Springs. Western Springs also expects to use baseball fields at Countryside's Ideal Park should the Western Springs Little League need accommodations for the duration of the Springdale Park stormwater project.

Officials also said Western Springs residents could benefit from the Flagg Creek Golf Course in Countryside.

During this week's Western Springs Village Board meeting, Trustee James Tyrrell said Western Springs residents would get priority during registration for local recreation programs.

"There will be no Countryside residents taking a spot that any village resident would hope to have. It's just an exchange of a lower rate for them for us getting use of the baseball field, soccer fields and golf course," Tyrrell said. "I thought this would be a great benefit for us."

The Village Board is expected to vote later this month on the agreement.