Master Planning for Recreation and Conservation in La Grange Park
The Community Park District of La Grange Park recognizes that Master Planning supports a healthy community by creating dynamic long-term strategies surrounding park infrastructure, equitable access to open space, inclusive recreational opportunities, and more. The park district is committed to integrating internal assessments, community engagement, resources and data collection as well as the development of an implementation plan to ensure that our Master Planning represents our community's needs and is executed successfully.
Comprehensive Master Plan 2022-2027
Special Meeting to consider an Indoor Gymnasium Referendum
Friday, January 13 at 6pm at 1501 Barnsdale
Upcoming Public Input Meetings: Yena Park Public Input Meetings
Tuesday, January 17 at 6:30pm at 1501 BarnsdaleThursday, February 2 at 6:30pm at 1501 Barnsdale
Friday, January 13 at 6pm at 1501 Barnsdale
Community Park District Board of Park Commissioners unanimously approved and adopted the Comprehensive Master Plan 2022-2027 at the Regular Meeting of Park Commissioners on August 8, 2022.
The park designs in the Master Plan are conceptual, and will be presented again to the community for revisions and refinement prior to beginning construction.
Based on the findings of the needs assessment, the Community Park District plans to renovate Yena and Beach Oak Parks in 2023-24.
About the 2022-2027 Comprehensive Master Plan
On Monday, November 8, 2021 the Community Park District Board of Park Commissioners approved a contract with JSD to enter into Strategic Master Plan process to address the Community Park District parks, facilities, programs, policies and operations. JSD provided a wide range of opportunities to engage the community in helping us create a better future for parks and recreation in La Grange Park. This 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
Financing for new projects became available in December 2021
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.
Because of the significant refinancing savings, the new debt issuance has a nearly $0 impact on residents' tax bills. In 2021/22, the park district's bond payment was approximately $286,000. New debt payments are estimated to be $288,000 and the payment structure will only extend out one additional year from the existing schedule.
View Our Past Master Planning Documents
Indoor Space Needs
The 2022 Master Plan identified that there is a deficit in indoor recreational space here in La Grange Park. The Community Park District Board of Park Commissioners is exploring the feasibility of addressing this deficiency, and wants your input.
Financial Situation Since 2019, the Community Park District of La Grange Park has refined its cost recovery strategies and added new programming to generate additional revenue. As a result, the district has improved its net position from 2-5% each year adding nearly $1/2 million to its fund balances. These continued operational measures will address deferred maintenance allow for regular improvements in the parks and facilities.
However, the Community Park District of La Grange Park has added The Community Park District is currently one of the lowest funded park districts in Cook County. Click here to view tax rate data