Suburban park districts stay on lawmakers' radar

SPRINGFIELD - Park district representatives from across the suburbs flocked to the Capitol on Tuesday in hopes of keeping their grant money flowing.

Several area districts have new projects and say they need additional money, but many just want to make sure lawmakers don't shut them down via budget cuts.

"We just want to thank lawmakers for what they have done and encourage them to keep us in mind," said Robert Sperl, director of planning for the Wheaton Park District.

Naperville Park District officials have been compiling a list of shovel ready projects they hope will be included in a multibillion-dollar construction plan Gov. Pat Quinn has proposed and lawmakers hope to pass.

Schaumburg Park District officials brought samples of the material used in new synthetic soccer fields that have allowed the district to expand its soccer season to year-round, except during snowfall.

Addison Park District officials, meanwhile, came with a message about how they were trying to stretch taxpayer dollars by asking residents to volunteer to help do some infrastructure projects. For example, this Saturday, 250 volunteers are signed up to help plant flowers and clean up the parks for this summer.

Itasca park board President Linda Aiani knew just what she wants funding help with, pointing to Benson Park, where she said the playground equipment and tennis court are more than 30 years old. "It is literally falling apart," she said.

Overall, the message from park districts to lawmakers was a request for continued support during the recession.