Elgin seeks opinions on park plan

The Elgins Parks and Recreation Department wants your opinion on what it needs to do to be better.

That can include new programs, new neighborhood parks, better equipment at current parks and even developing a dog park.

Park officials have planned five meetings to get input as the department works to update its master park plan by June.

Randy Reopelle, parks department director, said this will be the first plan update since 2000.

"We're happy to get guidance from our residents," he said.

Reopelle said some residents have asked for more neighborhood parks to supplement regional draws like Lords Park and Wing Park.

Other folks, especially those living far west, have clamored for more indoor recreational opportunities and classes beyond what is offered at the Centre.

Each meeting begins at 7 p.m. They are at:

• Wednesday, Feb. 17, in the upper level of the Lords Park Pavilion, 100 Oakwood Blvd.

• Thursday, Feb. 18, in the basement of the Elgin Community Church, 991 Deborah Ave.

• Tuesday, Feb. 23, in the cafeteria at Prairie Knolls Middle School, 225 Nesler Road.

• Wednesday, Feb. 24, at The Highlands Golf Course clubhouse, 875 Sports Way.

• Thursday, Feb. 25, in the second floor learning center at Larsen Middle School, 665 Dundee Ave.

Last year, the city's budget crunch stalled discussion on whether to develop the city's first dog park.

Reopelle expects that idea to resurface.

"That's one need that probably will come out of this," he said. "Lots of communities have them and we don't."

People who can't make it to one of the meetings may provide input by calling Reopelle at (847) 931-6127, emailing him at reopelle r@cityofelgin.org or visiting cityofelgin.org.

Overall, residents seem to be pleased with their parks.

In a 2005 survey, 96 percent of respondents had a positive perception of the department's contribution to the city's image and quality of life.

In 2009, 98.7 percent of 800-plus people who responded to a randomly-distributed park survey felt the same way.

A survey in 1999 showed 72 percent felt safe in area parks, but 788 of 844 respondents left that question blank on their survey and others indicated they avoid parks after dark.