Naperville parks board won't move plots

Naperville Park District commissioners on Thursday narrowly rejected a plan to construct new garden plots on the city's south side.

Doing so puts a deal with Naperville Unit District 203 in jeopardy, but commissioners said they need more details and are worried about costs.

The issue isn't over though. Board President Mike Reilly said the board will likely reconsider its decision at a future meeting.

The proposed garden plots at DuPage River Park are part of an agreement with District 203 and the city to put athletic fields on part of the existing garden plot land on West Street near Naperville Central High School.

The plan would remove 112 plots from West Street and create new ones at DuPage River Park off Royce Road.

For months, the issue pitted gardeners against parents of athletes. Now it's neighbors of the park who are unhappy. At least 50 attended Thursday's meeting, some with picket signs reading "Stop the Plots."

Resident Susan Lewis said they are concerned about the cost, whether there is enough demand for more plots and their appearance.

The board typically does not allow public comments during special meetings like Thursday's and did not bend those rules so no residents spoke during the meeting.

However, they did so at prior public meetings this summer that were specifically aimed at getting feedback on the plots.

Park district planners said they listened to that feedback and revised their proposal.

The plan they asked the board to vote on Thursday called for a phased approach. Instead of putting 332 new plots at DuPage River Park right away, the district would create just 155 with the option to expand later.

The first phase would also include access roads, water connections, a shade structure, picnic tables, bike rack, screened portable restrooms and a compost area.

However, the price tag still rings in at the original amount of $250,000 despite getting only half the plots.

Planners said costs rose in part because of changes to address residents' concerns.

Still, Commissioner Ron Ory was unhappy with spending more than the $250,000 figure it quoted to residents last year.

"That was the impression that was created by the park district," Ory said. "Now we're going back on what we originally said."

He asked how much it would cost to create all 332 plots but park district staff did not have that figure available.

Commissioners who rejected the plan said they need more information about the costs and also about alternative locations for the plots.

However, Commissioner Marie Todd said the board will never have all the answers and it already made a commitment to District 203.

"I think it's important for us to follow through with those agreements we have made," she said. "It's like a bunch of dominoes here. To start changing things at the last minute I think is irresponsible."

Executive Director Ray McGury said he doesn't want to lose the $500,000 that District 203 had agreed to spend on the new athletic fields the park district will also use.

He also was "mystified as to what we haven't communicated" to commissioners.

After a 45-minute discussion, the board rejected an award for a construction contract with a 4-3 vote.

Ory, Suzanne Hart, Andrew Schaffner and Vice President Gerry Heide denied the contract while Reilly, Todd and Kirsten Young voted in favor.

Reilly said he will speak with commissioners to try to get their concerns addressed and the board will likely reconsider the plan at a future meeting.

However, even if plots are approved, the delay could mean they will not be ready in April 2010 as planned.

New athletic fields may be delayed too. By ordinance, the fields can't be built until the new plots are ready.