Voters approve tax hike for Bloomingdale parks

Bloomingdale Park District voters have approved a property tax increase that will allow the district to borrow $9.9 million to make several repairs and improvements to key amenities.

With all 35 precincts reporting, unofficial results show 57 percent of voters overwhelmingly approved the tax hike adding roughly $66 a year to the tax bill for a home valued at $246,500, the median value of a Bloomingdale house.

Plans for the new funds call for the Springfield Park ball fields to be improved to prevent widespread flooding of fields and nearby paths. The shorelines of the park's wetlands also would be restored.

Meanwhile, officials wanted to renovate the Johnston Recreation Center to include committed space for active older adult programming, improve space for children, and enhance security. They also wanted to update recreation features at the Oasis Water Park, including the splash pad, lily pads, roped fences.