Villa Park talks parks, recreation plans

Searching for Villa Park's park district?

Keep looking.

Villa Park doesn't have a park district.

Instead, the village has a Department of Parks and Recreation, which runs athletic and leisure programs and operates several sites parks including the Iowa Community Center, where two dozen residents gave suggestions on changes they'd like to see in the department.

Tuesday night's session was the first of two discussions about the state of parks and recreation programs. A second session is scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday at the Community Recreation Building, 320 E. Wildwood St.

Understanding the department falls under the village's authority, for some residents was a revelation.

"Park districts can levy for tax dollars," said Patty Hermann, who led the focus group. "Villages get one chunk and have to distribute that money among other departments."

Tammy Henderson praised the efforts of volunteers who help run activities at the parks. Yet, Henderson also said she frequents programs in Elmhurst where, "There is a welcoming feeling that makes you come back for more."

Henderson said she'd like to see uniformity in making decisions like when to cancel outdoor programs. While the village's pool has weather conditions closure policy, volunteer coaches decide if weather warrants canceling a game.

"A paid employee should make a call, not three different soccer coaches making three different calls," Henderson said.

To improve communication, residents suggested the department use a phone hotline system to notify people when classes are canceled.

Having a fully functional office on evenings and weekends, residents said, is important.

Improving the department's Web site was raised as another priority.

In order to have online registration for parks and recreation class, the department would need to spend $80,000 for a server to keep secure credit card information compatible with parks software. Hermann said its an issue that's "on the front burner."

Another hot topic Tuesday was the state of the village's skate park. While one parent called for the village to make major improvements, most residents called for the site to be closed immediately due to continued vandalism, noise and safety concerns, a view Village President Joyce Stupegia endorsed.