Yes on Arlington Heights park improvements
Four years ago, Pioneer Park in central Arlington Heights went through a major renovation, and although controversy surrounded the project at the time, the end result has been remarkable. The park has become one of the jewels of the community, and the recreation that it affords has become one of the amenities that makes Arlington Heights such an attractive place to live. On March 20, park district voters will have a chance to approve similar investments in the village’s other four main parks — Camelot, Frontier, Heritage and Recreation. We support a yes vote on the referendum question, which asks whether the district may borrow $48 million for the renovation work. The economy is still skittish, and we understand the concerns of those who question the timing — whether the bond issue is something that could be put off until better economic times. It’s a legitimate reservation. But the weak economy also provides a cost-saving opportunity to do the work when construction prices are somewhat depressed and when interest rates are low. Particularly given the value these improvements will provide to the community and to the residents’ way of life, that seems like an investment bargain that shouldn’t be missed.