Endorsement: No on 69 percent increase for Hanover Park parks

The Hanover Park Park District is seeking a big jump in its property tax rate to support an ambitious plan to make capital improvements at its 21 parks and recreation facilities over the next five years, as well as improve programming. The district, which hasn't sought an increase in its 55 years, has been deferring maintenance and trimming staff to balance the budget. Officials say park equipment is antiquated, some amenities are unusable and community surveys show residents find parks uninviting. The district says it scaled back its request 30 percent from what was originally considered, but it still is asking for a 69 percent increase in its maximum tax rate that is projected to cost voters with a home valued at $100,000 an extra $74.22 a year in Cook County and $83.33 in DuPage County. Our view is that this request is too large. Voters should reject it and the district should return with a less ambitious plan that phases in improvements over a longer period. We recommend a no vote.