Hampshire Park District pitches pair of referendums

The Hampshire Park District will ask voters in February to approve a $4.9 million bond issue and increase the district's tax limiting rate for the redevelopment and maintenance of two parks.

Robert Whitehouse, the park district's executive director, said much of the bond money would be used to execute the masterplan for the Bruce Ream Memorial Park, a 14-acre park that is home to Hampshire's annual Coon Creek Days.

Improvements in the park would include walking paths, paved parking lots, soccer fields, tennis courts and an amphitheater, Whitehouse said.

"Neighbors and community organizers worked with the park district to develop a master plan," Whitehouse said. "This will help finance the masterplan, along with grant money and operational dollars. We really hope people will not jump to conclusions and take a serious look at what we see as a value proposition."

The bond issue would also allow the park district to purchase and complete the second phase of the 28-acre Tuscany Woods Park, as well as retire or refinance existing debt.

In addition to the bond issue, the park district seeks a 5-cent increase in the district's limiting tax rate from 8 cents to about 13 cents per $100 of a home's equalized assessed value. The additional taxes, which would add about $10 to the tax bill of a $250,000 home, will enable the park district to operate its parks and offer additional programs such as ice skating and lacrosse.

"It is not possible to operate and maintain the parks on the current limiting rate," Whitehouse said.

Park district commissioners will present information on the bond issue and rate increase at the Thursday, Dec. 13, Hampshire village board meeting at village hall, 234 S. State St.