How a 1963 Referendum Transformed our Parks

From 1950 to 1960, our village’s population doubled in size to 12,000. But, our park system remained essentially unchanged. So, in 1963, the Park Board proposed a dramatic expansion. This included adding 15.5 acres to Springrock Park (everything west of the large steel water tower), a new 5.3 acre park between Garden & Hampton (now Sereda Park), and a 2 acre park south of Ogden and east of Clausen.

But, what is park land without recreational facilities? So, the proposed expansion also encompassed improvements for Springrock Park. These included additional lighted tennis courts, baseball, softball, and football fields, and a sunken area suitable for a seasonal ice skating pond. See photo.

In Springdale Park, the proposal would add a playground and shelter house, as well as benches and a tennis court. At Ogden & Clausen, the new park would be equipped with a tennis court and playground apparatus. And, between Hampton & Garden, improvements would include grading and seeding, plus playground apparatus and landscaping.

While not a large expenditure by current standards, the land acquisition would cost $264,000 and the capital improvements another $226,000. The total cost would be $490,000, which would be funded by 20-year bonds. This would add $9.13 to each resident’s annual tax bill.

Since vacant land in the village was quickly disappearing, the Park Board scheduled a December 10, 1963 referendum so that all citizens could vote on the matter.

Predictably, support for the proposal was strongest in the Old Town and Field Park neighborhoods, both of which would benefit from the construction of new neighborhood parks. But, in the final count, 73% of all voters favored the proposal.

While most of the referendum proposals were implemented during the next few years, Springrock Park, in particular, changed quite a bit from the original plan. The new tennis courts were built further west than originally shown, the lower parking area was moved further east, and the proposed football field became a baseball field.

Ironically, in 1963 there was no mention of soccer fields which, today, are one of the primary uses of park land.

Photo caption:
Preliminary Plan for Springrock Park – 1963

Each week, the Western Springs Historical Society presents a “Blast from the Past”. To view prior stories, visit us at www.westernspringshistory.org or just click on the author’s name shown above.