Take action to stop proposed zoo project

Wheaton Park District wants to spend $49 million (in 2015 dollars) on a Cosley Zoo expansion which adds a few exhibits. The extent of the Cosley Zoo Master Plan was discovered through a Freedom of Information Act request. Much of the funding coming via over-taxing Wheaton homeowners.

The first step in the plan is to add a new parking lot across Gary Avenue, forcing families with young children to walk across this busy road.

Where did the park district get all this money to spend on one project? The answer is in our property tax bills.

Wheaton homeowners, compared to homeowners in Glen Ellyn, Elmhurst, Downers Grove and Naperville, pay nearly double to our Park District based on the value of our homes. Most of us are paying hundreds of dollars more every year. That extra money has become a slush fund the Park District Board can spend however they like.

The most recent park district survey for which results have been published (2016 Community Attitude and Interest Survey Report) states: "Overall, respondents expressed a very high level of satisfaction with Cosley Zoo and they do not appear to want the Park District to make changes there."

The Park District literally asked if we want the zoo to change. We said "No."

This project is starting soon. The Wheaton Park District Board is planning to vote on building the parking lot, the first step in the master plan sometime between the November and January meetings.

What can you do about this?

1. Submit a Non-Emergency Citizen Concern form: https://wheatonparkdistrict.com/contact-us-2/report-a-citizen-concern/

2. Attend the next Wheaton Park District Board meeting and tell them what your preference would be for how to spend $49 million.

The next meeting is 5 p.m. Wednesday at Wheaton City Council Chambers.

Tim Youngren

Wheaton