Dundee Twp. Park District seeks ideas

If there is an item you would like added to the Dundee Township Park District's list of amenities, programs or facilities, the district wants to hear it.

District officials are conducting the first resident survey in almost two decades to help focus the park district's resources over the coming years, Dundee Township Park District Executive Director Tom Mammoser said.

"We are getting closer to a time when some of our debt will be retired and the board will have the option to pursue a major project," Mammoser said. "We want to know what the public's perspective would be for those projects."

One major project on the district's radar is a recreation center and aquatic facility on the west side of the district.

The existing recreation and fitness facility, at 665 Barrington Ave. in Carpentersville, was built in 1989 when the district served a population of 39,000. Today more than 53,000 live in the district, Mammoser estimates.

"A recreation center on the west side of the (Fox) river is something that would balance the recreational opportunities in Dundee Township," he said. "As it has become more difficult to travel east and west, another facility on the west side would make it equitable in terms of services for residents."

Voters twice have rejected proposals to build a recreation center at Randall Oaks, the latest occurring in 2001.

The survey, conducted by the University of St. Francis Solutions Resource Center, also asks residents to rate current facilities and assess customer service.

"We do pride ourselves on our ability to work with residents," Mammoser said. "This will be a good tool to assess that and for us to know what areas we need to work on."

A selection of residents received the survey in the mail last week. Others can access the survey at http://www.stfrancis.edu/solutions, pick up a survey at either the Dundee Township Park District Recreation and Fitness Center or the park district's administrative offices at 21 N. Washington St. Carpentersville. Residents can request a survey be mailed to them by calling (847) 428-1707.

Surveys are available in English or Spanish and must be returned by Friday, Nov. 14.