Park district sets final public forum on referendum
HUNTLEY — The Huntley Park District’s (HPD) announced it is requesting an $18 million bond referendum on the Nov. 5 ballot in McHenry and Kane counties.
The HPD’s Board of Commissioners approved the ballot request July 24 and there have been opportunities in the Plan to Play Huntley campaign for public input since. The final such session is 6:30 p.m., Oct. 29 at Cosman Theatre, 12015 Mill Street.
Early voting is underway prior to the November 5 general election.
For details on park projects which will be done if the referendum is approved by 50 percent of those casting ballots, visit www.huntleyparks.org/plantoplay.
“It is never easy to seek a referendum approval, and the HAPD takes that very seriously,” HPD Executive Director Scott Crowe said. “We have had positive feedback from the community and organizations. In the Master Plan process, we asked people not only what they wanted in a park district but what they were willing to pay for. A total of 63 percent said they were willing to support this program, which is why we took it to the Park Board. The board then voted unanimously to support it.”
A HPD flier about the referendum gives tax impact information. The $18 million total in the referendum equates to $71 additional tax for a home valued at $300,000 or $6 a month more. The district will continue to seek grant funding, such as the $500,000 it was awarded this year for work at Weiss Park.
The work on the projects will begin next year and the projects will take about eight years to complete, Crowe said.
According to the ballot question, the HPD seeks to raise further capital for several purposes, including: to raise capital to improve, equip and maintain parks and facilities throughout the HPD.
Projects will include renovating, updating and adding new amenities and playgrounds at numerous parks through the Park District including at the Deicke Discovery Zone.
Also, $3 million would be allocated for purchase of land and developing open space.
“We found out through the national standards that we’re about 20 acres short of where we should be for total acreage. But there’s work to be done such as environmental studies before we can acquire land. We’re talking 20 acres for a community park,” Crowe said.
The list of projects includes $1.2 million for artificial turf installation for Tomaso Sports Park’s athletic fields.
“Artificial turf will make the athletic fields much more efficient, and be able to maximize the field. Plus, the visitors who come will be spending money at our area restaurants and helping the economy,” Crowe said.
The purposes also include: increasing accessibility by paving trails, updating and adding pedestrian bridges, replacing pavement in parking areas and replacing two elevators. In addition, adding pickleball courts, tennis courts, basketball courts, batting cages, and golf entertainment; updating athletic fields; updating equipment and amenities at the REC Center and Deicke Park Building; and updating and adding new equipment and amenities to the Stingray Bay Aquatic Center.
“Much of the equipment at the parks is 20 years old and it’s hard or impossible to find the parts, so they need to be replaced,” Crowe commented.
Estimated costs include, for numerous park improvements: Deicke Discovery Zone playground, $1.5 million; Borhart Park, Parisek Park, $800,000; Ruth Park, $500,000; Tured Park, $400,000; Cole Park playground, $300,000; Tomaso Park playground, $300,000 and shade trees, $50,000.
For increasing accessibility by paving trails and updates, estimated costs are: pave rec center parking lot, $1 million; Pinecrest Golf Course elevator, $150,000 and three bridge replacements, $550,000 and pave trails at Deicke Park, $110,000.
If approved, the referendum funds will also provide for a $1.5million golf entertainment facility, new pickleball courts, $860,000; new tennis courts, $560,000 and new batting cages, $68,000.
Improvements are also slated for the gymnasium at the REC Center and Cosman Theatre.
In a press release statement, HPD Board President Keith Wold described the Plan to Play Huntley effort.
“In 2022 and 2023, Huntley Park District, as part of the Strategic Master Plan process, undertook a comprehensive survey of residents, held numerous public meetings, and engaged with stakeholders to gather feedback on our District’s amenities and services,” said Wold. “These proposed projects are a direct result of that feedback, and it is important our residents make the final decision on whether to proceed.” The proposed projects will positively impact many areas throughout.”
About HPD
According to HPD information, the park district serves about 48,000 residents in Huntley and the surrounding area including most but not all of Sun City. It owns and manages more than 300 acres of land totaling 42 square miles, 14 park sites and has 300 employees.
