'Yes' to Fox Valley parks
Fox Valley Park District park officials are asking voters to approve a $44.85 million bond issue on Feb. 5 to fund a five-year capital improvement plan for the district that serves roughly 200,000 people in Aurora, North Aurora and Montgomery.
They say they'll use the money to acquire open space along the Fox River and elsewhere, build and improve trails and nature facilities, improve some of their 150 parks and 80 playgrounds, renovate Blackberry Farm and develop roughly 180 acres at the Stuart Sports Complex.
Executive Director Steve Messerli says passage of the referendum proposal would help turn a good park system into a great one.
The cost, officials say, would be roughly $30.48 a year for the next 20 years for the owner of a $250,000 house. That amount could fluctuate over time with changes in property values.
We encourage voters to say yes.
The district has done its due diligence, from surveying residents (and listening to what they said) to cutting their original wish list to reduce possible sticker shock.
The district also has a strong track record, winning approval for a $33 million tax increase in 2002 that resulted, among other things, in construction of the Vaughan Athletic Center and expansion of the Prisco and Eola community centers.
This time around, leaders say they feel some sense of urgency to take advantage of low interest rates and falling property costs to focus on land acquisition -- for both recreation and flood relief -- and outdoor activities.
They say the district fell behind in some of those areas during the recent building boom and needs to catch up with that growth with a sustainable improvement program that won't require any tax increases for operation and maintenance.
If voters reject the plan, the district may lose a golden opportunity to obtain green space and will have to slow efforts to provide more space and facilities for sports and outdoor activities.
Messerli says the district is asking voters to invest in the future of their communities.
We think the district has done its homework, listened to residents, and developed a reasoned and workable plan that deserves support.