Fox park district ready to buy land

Fox Valley Park District officials are ready to tackle their six-year list of $45 million in capital projects after receiving a strong go-ahead from voters.

With all precincts reporting Wednesday, about 65 percent of voters favored issuing general obligation bonds to help officials tackle their hefty to-do list, according to unofficial vote totals.

"It's a very ambitious program," Executive Director Steven Messerli said. "We're being realistic in that we see this taking several years to complete."

He said officials are ready and willing to begin purchasing land to better serve roughly 200,000 residents in the district that includes Aurora, North Aurora and Montgomery.

Of the $44.8 million to be collected, about $22.5 million will go toward buying land for parks and open space, protecting river banks and improving access to the Fox River,

"Interest rates are right and the land is available now so we're ready to begin working on those targeted sites," Messerli said.

He said the district hopes to acquire between 100 and 150 acres.

"The opportunities are out there and the land is available so we'll be moving on them in the next several months."

He said the district will target sites along the Fox River that have natural resources or blighted areas.

"We'll be getting back to the history and the reason the district was created in the first place," he said. "To create scenic vistas along the Fox River."

Planning also will begin later this year on renovations to 40-year-old Blackberry Farm and development of the Stuart Sports Complex.

Blackberry Farm will see new exhibits and picnic facilities.

The 180-acre Stuart Sports Complex also will be developed, with soccer fields, ball-fields and concessions.

Construction of those projects likely will begin in 2009 in an effort to have them both ready in 2010.

Next, the district will be looking to improve access to the Fox River, extending the Gilman Trail and constructing new links of the Fox River Trail.

The rest of the money -- about $22.3 million -- will go toward park and recreation projects such as renovating playgrounds and adding pavilions, paths and parking.