A R L I N G T O N H E I G H T S PA R K D I S T R I C T
Frontier Rec reation Camelot Heritage
Winter 2012
Dear Residents: More than just bricks and mortar. Building a healthier and happier community. The Arlington Heights Park District’s plan to renovate four community parks by the year 2016 goes beyond just building the physical environments for fun. This plan will affect and potentially transform the lives of all residents and the community. By also overhauling aging facilities in order to continue to offer innovative programming, this plan will also deliver modern, social spaces in which to connect with friends and family to create lifelong memories to share forever.
The Park District Board of Commissioners and staff have spent three years researching a long-range facilities solution with substantial resident input. Whether in focus groups, open forums, Board meetings or neighborhood meetings, you have consistently told us that you want updated facilities. We want to meet community needs. However, this will take a significant amount of money. At the August 16, 2011 Regular Board meeting, the Park Board discussed the possibility of referendum funding which would spread a $48 million bond issuance over a 25-year period. This would have a tax impact of $36 per year on a $300,000 market value home.
We listened.
2009 Community Needs Assessment Survey
• Most residents favored building renovations vs. building new. Due to several factors, we are considering a proposal to build new instead of renovate existing. • Over 60% of respondents favored adding amenities such as fitness center areas and walking/jogging tracks.
2010 Comprehensive Plan and Master Planning Process
• The Park District Board of Commissioners and staff engaged in long-range planning and completed a five-year Comprehensive Plan in 2010 • The master plan allows the District to most efficiently use and reallocate existing buildings, space and resources to continue to offer neighborhoodbased centers as opposed to the larger, centralized centers you may find in other communities.
What is your role in this process?
While the Park District Board of Commissioners has created this master plan, the decision to place a referendum question on the 2012 election ballot has not yet been determined. We encourage you to learn more about our plans to continue providing affordable and impactful fun for your family. And finally, we invite you to speak up and let us know if these plans do or do not reflect your needs and expectations.
Sincerely,
Maryfran H. Leno President Park Board of Commissioners
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Steve Scholten Executive Director Arlington Heights Park District
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A PIONEERING SPIRIT inspired US
Pioneer Park: Our experience rebuilding Pioneer Park Community Center influenced our decision to approach Camelot, Frontier, Heritage and Recreation Park’s in a similar manner. Since reopening the new Pioneer Park Community Center in 2008, the park has met residents’ and AHPD’s needs and expectations:
*Attendance
05/06
10/11
Classes
22,637
51,851
Drop-in
967
12,971
Clubs
1,763
3,923
Rentals
1,382
6,936
Totals
26.749
75,681
AHPD anticipates that proposed improvements to the four parks affected will bring similar results to our other neighborhoods. *2011/2012 Operating Budget
Building places to meet friends and create memories. Pioneer Park BEFORE
Pioneer Park AFTER
What’s the tax impact to you? TAX FACTS: This table shows the referendum tax impact on a $350,000* home in Arlington Heights, IL:
Home Value
Per Year
$300,000
$36.00
$350,000
$42.00
$400,000
$48.00
$450,000
$54.00
*median home value in Arlington Heights
Calculate your tax impact with our interactive calculator at ahpd.org
AHPD reflects me.
THE PLAN MEETS OUR NEEDS AND IS CONSIDERATE OF FUTURE GROWTH. “Many families have lived in Arlington Heights for generations and even into the retirement years. The Park District has something for everyone whether you want to take a leisurely walk in a park or want access to innovative, yet affordable recreation programs. We live here because we choose to live in a community that values quality of life and, that truly does offer something for everyone of the over 76,000 residents calling Arlington Heights home.” -Rob Smith, Board member Affordable, year-round recreation for all ages and abilities requires programming space with flexibility to adapt to multiple uses: recreation programs, parties, meetings, rentals and performances. • Our community has grown and the way recreation programming is planned has changed significantly since Recreation, Heritage, Frontier and Camelot were built in 1939, 1969, 1969 and 1969 respectively. • Our community wants more active and passive recreation space close to home including: more open space for outdoor enjoyment, increased indoor gymnasium space and sports field improvements for more playability.
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AHPD reflects me.
THE PLAN CONTINUES THE PARK DISTRICT’S HISTORY OF FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY. “The idea of tightening our belt isn’t something just reserved for tough economic times. As a matter of fact, our community has passed previous tax increases during some of the most challenging economic times such as in 1936 during the Great Depression and in 1962, 1965 and 1968 as the country was in the midst of the Vietnam war. More recently, our community supported bond issues in 1976 and 2000 when park improvements were needed. Fiscal responsibility is just one of the Park District’s core values and one of the reasons why residents have historically supported our efforts. These efforts have always been based upon annual needs assessments that help us responsibly and progressively deliver programs and services to the great community of Arlington Heights. This has been happening since opening its’ doors in 1925 to a population of 2,300 residents and will continue well into the future.” -Myles Naughton Board Vice-President
2011/2012 Data. Information from: http://www.comptrollerconnect.ioc.state.il.us/Office/LocalGovt
AHPD reflects me.
THE PLAN ENSURES SAFE AND ACCESSIBLE RECREATION FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.
Building community pride.
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“The Park District’s fun, affordable and impactful programs give parents a peace of mind they won’t find elsewhere. Whether preschool programs, sports, dance, swimming, camps or anything in between; my wife and I know that our children are in a safe, engaging and caring environment with the Arlington Heights Park District.” - Rob Nesvacil, Board member • There are safety and environmental issues at the four community centers affected including traffic parking, and accessibility issues. This master plan makes sure all buildings have safe and secure entrances, safe pedestrian and bus paths and are accessible to everyone.
B uil ding a hea lthier and happier you
Camelot park 1005 E. Suffield Dr.
DESCRIPTION of WORK:
Renovate community center containing approximately 25,500 square feet, to include: • the improvement of accessibility • the addition of a full-size gymnasium • the addition (and renovation) of flexible multi-purpose programming space • the addition of an indoor walking path • the relocation of the outdoor basketball, sand volleyball and athletic fields • the expansion of parking; adding spaces and drop-off • the addition of pathways • the expansion of storm water detention The project is located on property currently owned by the Arlington Heights Park District.
Camelot Park TODAY
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Recreation park 500 E. Miner St.
Recreation Park TODAY
DESCRIPTION of WORK: Renovate community center and bathhouse containing approximately 27,500 square feet, including maintaining the open space in the center of the park, the lap pool, and will also include:
• the improvement of accessibility • the expansion of parking; adding spaces and drop-off • the addition of an indoor walking path • the addition of a full-size gymnasium • the addition of programming space • the expansion of storm water detention • the current building remains and becomes the bathhouse The project is located on property currently owned by the Arlington Heights Park District.
Building places to enjoy your natural surroundings.
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Heritage park 506 Victoria Lane
DESCRIPTION of WORK: Renovate community center containing approximately 21,900 square feet, to include:
• the improvement of accessibility • the addition of flexible multi-purpose programming space • the addition of a full-size gymnasium • the addition of an indoor walking path • the relocation of the outdoor basketball courts and playground • the expansion of parking; adding spaces and drop-off The project is located on property currently owned by the Arlington Heights Park District
Heritage Park TODAY
Building a stronger, local economy.
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Frontier park
1933 N. Kennicott Dr. DESCRIPTION of WORK: Renovate community center containing approximately 44,500 square feet, to include: • the improvement of accessibility • the addition of a double gymnasium • the addition of an indoor walking path • the addition of flexible multi-purpose programming space • the relocation of the outdoor basketball, sand volleyball, tennis • courts and athletic fields • the expansion of parking; adding spaces and drop-off • the renovation (and addition) of pathways • the expansion of storm water detention The project is located on property currently owned by the Arlington Heights Park District.
Frontier Park TODAY
Building
self-esteem.
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AHPD reflects me.
THE PLAN CONTINUES AHPD’S TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE. “Many of the Arlington Heights Park District’s staff hold advanced degrees, professional certifications and accolades bestowed on them by state and national park and recreation associations. The District’s financial standing and industry reputation are a reflection of the staff and their commitment to continuous learning and to improving the quality of life for all residents and their families. The Arlington Heights Park District has a tradition of providing fun, affordable and impactful parks and recreation for all ages for over 86 years”
- Bob Whisler, Board member
• AHPD is a three-time National Gold Medal Award recipient for excellence in park and recreation management. • AHPD is an Illinois Distinguished Accredited Agency. • AHPD maintains an Aaa bond rating, the highest possible rating, for a municipal agency which enables us to issue debt at the lowest possible interest rate. • GFOA Distinguished Budget Presentation Award 2003-2009 • GFOA Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting 1989-2010
Building strong bodies, minds and spirits. The Master Plan also includes these additional projects as part of the referendum: • Improvements to soccer, football, baseball and softball fields receiving synthetic turf at: • Sunset Meadows Park • Frontier Park • Centennial Park • Melas Park • Hasbrook Park • Demolition of existing building • Lake Arlington • Improvements to and renovation of existing path • Installation of a new , 2nd concentric path to separate walkers/runners from bicyclists and roller bladers
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Frequently asked Questions: Why is the Park District asking residents to pass a referendum to raise our taxes now? “The Master Facilities improvement plan that this bond supports provides for new and flexible programming space that our residents have requested. The plans will accommodate adding new programs, expanding enrollment for existing programs, and allows us to update current facilities and parks at Heritage, Frontier, Camelot, Recreation and others in ways that will ensure patron safety and will address accessibility issues plaguing those facilities. The fact that we’re trying to leverage current building and construction costs and financing options available today makes this a very attractive plan for our community. We look forward to a continued dialogue with the community.”
- Steve Scholten, Executive Director
ANSWERS TO MORE FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS CAN BE FOUND AT AHPD.ORG.
you.
AHPD REFLECTS YOURINPUTISIMPORTANTTOUS. Visit our website at ahpd.org to learn the facts about our plans, to submit your own questions and more.
Or feel free to contact us directly : Steve Scholten, Executive Director | sscholten@ahpd.org Brian Huckstadt, Director of Parks & Planning | bhuckstadt@ahpd.org
PARK BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Maryfran H. Leno – President Myles Naughton – Vice-President Rob Nesvacil, Board member Rob Smith, Board member Bob Whisler, Board member
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