Island Lake official rails against 7½-acre park

The chances may be slim one Island Lake trustee will be able to torpedo a large park proposal, but Donald Saville says he's still trying.

"The word has to get out to the residents about this," said Saville, the board member who's concerned a park roughly 7½ times the size of a football field is a waste of space and money.

The 7½-acre park, proposed as part of a new 120-home Hillside Estates development on Dowell Road, would include two baseball diamonds, a soccer field, a parking lot and a "warming center" with restrooms.

Saville, who said he calls the park "Great America," claims cutting its size in half could bring about $300,000 in impact fees to the village.

"We're willing to put more into parties, parks and parades than we are with infrastructure," he said.

However, a board majority has already commented positively about the park plan.

Trustee Rich Garling said the development's $500-per-home impact fee is enough. A large park will improve sales, which will bring more property taxes to the village.

"It's a win-win situation," Garling said. "For some strange reason, (Saville) has this thing against parks. I haven't been able to figure that one out."

Saville countered by saying the main reason he opposes the park's size is he wants more reserve cash.

"I can see a referendum down the road," he said, for "big-ticket" items like a new village hall.

Garling said the village has options besides referendums, including borrowing money or getting a new village hall as part of future developments.

He also said open space is crucial for reasons including replenishing aquifers.

"I do take exception to Donald Saville trying to minimize the importance of keeping open land for water," Garling said. "The day will come when he'll wish that he paid attention to that."

Saville agreed and said the future of water in Illinois is an important issue, but not in relation to the park.

"I'm not opposed to being mindful or green," he said. "I am opposed to having a monstrosity of a park."

Saville said he can't fight the board alone and wants residents to attend board meetings and express their opinions on the plan.

"The people of Island Lake need to come in and voice their opinion," he said. "Would they rather have the money or would they rather have the monstrosity?"