Park Board Packet 2005 09-26-05Yorkville Parks & Recreation Department Board Meeting
Park and Recreation Administrative Offices Riverfront Building
301 E. Hydraulic Street /Yorkville, IL 60560 / 630.553.4341
AGENDA
September 26, 2005
Call to Order:
Roll Call:Chris Rollins, Ken Koch, Van Truman, Heather Fiala, Richard Korinek,
Tammy Smock, Alderman Paul James
Introduction of Guests and/or City Officials, Staff:
Park and Recreation Director— Laura Brown
Superintendent of Park—Scott Sleezer
Public Comments:
Approval of Minutes:
Minutes September 12, 2005
Bills Review:
Cash Analysis
Bill List
Developers Presentation
Old Business:
Seniors Arrangement/ space status update
Update on Establishing a Park District
Update on Parks / PW maintenance facility
New Business:
Park Naming Applications / Requests
Park Board Meeting Dates (Fiala)
Open Forum
Reports
Director
Parks
Additional Business:
Correspondence:
Miscellaneous Correspondence
Adjournment
1
Yorkville Parks & Recreation Department Board Meeting
Park and Recreation Administrative Offices Riverfront Building
301 E. Hydraulic Street
Yorkville, IL 60560 / 630.553.4341
AGENDA
September 26, 2005
Call to Order:
Roll Call:Chris Rollins, Ken Koch, Van Truman, Heather Fiala, Richard Korinek,
Tammy Smock, Alderman Paul James
Introduction of Guests and/or City Officials, Staff:
Park and Recreation Director— Laura Brown
Superintendent of Parks — Scott Sleezer
Public Comments:
Approval of Minutes:
Minutes September 12, 2005
Bills Review:
Cash Analysis
Bill List
Developers Presentation:
Old Business:
Seniors Arrangement / Space Status Update
Update on Establishing a Park District
Update on Parks / PW Maintenance Facility
New Business:
Park Naming Applications / Requests
Park Board Meeting Dates (Fiala)
Open Forum
Reports:
Director
Parks
Additional Business:
Correspondence:
Miscellaneous Correspondence
Adjournment
UNITED CITY OF YORKVILLE
PARK AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT
Policy for requesting a reimbursement for
Non-resident portion of the Special Recreation Services
The policy is intended to include participants/families members with a
disability who are residents of the United City of Yorkville; and desire
specialized assistance or services because of the disability; and it is
determined that Yorkville Park and Recreation can not provide a similar
type of program or the appropriate accommodations.; and requesting
reimbursement for all/portion of the non-resident portion of the special
recreation services.
All the funds for reimbursements are allocated each year based on the
fiscal budget, and the amount available may fluctuate based on the
amounts received. Reimbursements are only available for residents of
the United City of Yorkville. (There may be some arrangements with
other community partners or special programs funded through grants,
which includes participants outside the United City of Yorkville, call in
advance to inquire about the arrangement of the programs you are
interested in).
The UNITED CITY OF YORKVILLE PARK AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT
awards reimbursements to participants/families who have a disability;
and when the Yorkville Park and Recreation Department does not offer a
similar type of program; or it is determined that they can not provide the
appropriate accommodations. All requests for reimbursement must be
obtained PRIOR to signing up for the desired services or programs.
GENERAL GUIDELINES
A request is made per season for a maximum of 2 programs, and for
only the non-resident portion of the fees. All program fees must be paid
by the resident. The following programs and services are excluded from
any reimbursement (excluding preschool program, travel trips, vacation
type trips, contractual camps or overnight weekend trips).
For all requests, staff may require additional information to support the
request before an approval is made.
AppRovEg
riov 4 04 00: 49a Yorkville Recreation G30-553-4347 p. 1
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DARttc A(SfcricAT7014 Yorkville Parks 8; Recreation Department
906 Game Farm Rd. Yorkville,IL 60580 630353.4357 630.553.4380 fax e-mail:wskr_cfgep(d)AQL.corn
Administration Office: 301 E Hydraulic Street Yorkville,IL 60580 630:553.4341 630.553.4347 fax
PARK NAMING APPLICATION
Person completing application . .t-a.," a31.Y-1e Uek--r-„y fM'
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On behalf of(person or organization) 3 A
Address of person completing application
Gc-,, A_.(
Suggested larreName J ec. Gcc c x
Park, location,facility to be considered for naming: R e.c.,r' Q C__-`'k. c C‘e---
Please explain why this name should be considered (please use back of application or attach
additional sheets if necessary).
If naming after a person please verify that the person or his immediate surviv nng family have
been contacted: W cm,,.2._e._ S v,, ,i'. i-,,1
Person Contacted Phone Number
Date contacted: By whom:
OFFICIAL USE
Date Received: By whom:
Request Verified by Staff .
Schedule for Park Board Review: Date: Action
City Council Date: Action:
Dedication Name on Signage
Location of Park.Facility, Building,thoroughfare:
Deborah Jean Gaffey Memorial Park
DEBBY GAFFEY March 13, 1947 - December 26, 2003
Our Family is requesting that the Yorkville Parks and Recreation Department consider
the naming of the park in Heartland Circle after our beloved Wife,Mother and
Grandmother. Debby Gaffey was not a resident of Yorkville. She was born in Clinton,
Iowa and lived her life in Savanna, Illinois. However, given the opportunity she would
have spent every minute possible here in Yorkville, sharing time and love with her family
and her grandchildren.
Debby Gaffey was the kind of person who devoted her life to those she loved,without
considering her own wants and needs. She had bountiful love in her heart for all
children, and celebrated and shared in their joy. She had the amazing ability to always
view all of life's experiences with the innocence and excitement of a child and she never
allowed life's obstacles to dampen her happiness.
A few years ago, Debby worked hard to care for her Mother when she was diagnosed
with lung cancer. Debby left her home frequently so she could make sure she was
comfortable and was receiving the best treatment. She worked endless hours to make
sure that her dying Mother was able to stay in her home, as she had requested. And,
when her Mother passed, she was right there by her side.
In 2003 when Marty& Dana Wood were looking for a place to raise their family,they
spend many months searching the Suburbs of Chicago. Debby was by their side every
step of the way,taking long rides to several suburbs in one day,revisiting possible
locations countless times, and pouring over brochures and articles. She was thrilled when
they found their place in Yorkville. It was a community and neighborhood she felt would
be the ideal setting for their future. She was so excited to see their home under
construction, and took many pictures of the process. When it was time to pack
everything up, she was there to help. She was instrumental in the success of the move.
The move in date was December 29, 2003. On Christmas morning (December 25, 2003),
this otherwise vibrant and healthy Woman suffered a massive stroke. She survived in
Edward Hospital for 30 hours, before surrendering to God at 10:00 pm on December 26,
2003. She passed just 3 days before the move into the new home here in Yorkville.
Both of Deborah's daughters now live in Yorkville. Dana and Marty Wood live in
Heartland with their 3-year-old daughter. Chuck and Daneen Van Hyning live in
Heartland Circle with their 9-month-old daughter. If our Mother were here, she would
spend many hours in the parks of this neighborhood cherishing time spent with her
Grandchildren. It is our wish that we can take our children to play in a park honoring the
memory of their Grandmother who loved them so much.
So, in honor of our Wife, Mother and Grandmother and all others who have fallen victim
to the devastating effects of sudden stroke, we respectfully request that the anticipated
park in Heartland Circle bear the name of Deborah Jean Gaffey Memorial Park.
We thank you for your consideration.
REQUESTING FAMILY CONTACT INFORMATION
Nov 24 04 08: 25a Yorkville Recreation 630-553-4347 p. 1
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ywaw,. RtcRcATiarr Yorkville Parks & Recreation Department
908 Game Farm Rd. Yorkville.IL 60560 630.553.4357 630.553.4360 fax e-mail:yorkrecdcpi :iol cnm
Administration Office: 301 E Hydraulic Street Yorkville,IL 60560 630.553.4341 630.553.4347 fax
NAMING OF PARKS POLICY
The purpose of the "Naming of Parks Policy" is to provide consistent direction for naming park
property and improvements within the United City of Yorkville,
Any citizen, group, city official, or staff may request or recommend a name for a park, building,
structure or thoroughfare within designated park property. The proposed name is to be submitted
in writing on an application form to the Executive Director of Park and Recreation or Park Board
Chairperson. All applications will be consider at their next regularly schedule meeting of the Park
Board. Upon Park Board approval and recommendation, subject proposal will than be presented
to the City Council for acceptance. If accepted by the City Council, a dedication will take place
within 90 days of approval.
The following criteria will be used when considering the selection of park related names:
1) Any person living or deceased, who has made a significant contribution in support of the
United City of Yorkville, the Park and Recreation Department operation, the state or
national park system,conservation of natural resources or in the recreation profession.
2) Any organization that contributed significantly toward improving the quality of life for the
residents of the United City of Yorkville, state or national park, conservation of natural
resources or the recreation profession.
3) The proposed name for any park building, structure or thoroughfare within a park must be
authorized by a sworn statement from the person whose name is being proposed, or if the
person is deceased, the person's immediate surviving family members. Organizations
wishing to present a proposed name for any park building, structure or thoroughfare must
submit a sworn statement signed by the current President and Secretary of said
organization.
4) No park or recreation facility or property can be named after any public official currently
holding office or person currently employed by the United City of Yorkville_
5) Names that would duplicate the name of another park, building or structure, or thoroughfare
within the United City of Yorkville will not be considered. Also, names that advocate or
endorse religion, religious beliefs, posses obscene connotations, or demean or attempt to
intimidate any individual or group based on race, ethnicity, age, gender, disability, or sexual
orientation within the United City of Yorkville will not be considered.
6) The Park Board and staff will review and discuss the naming of park submittals during their
regular monthly meeting. Upon their consideration,the Park Board will seek a majority vote
in favor of naming a park, facility, structure, or thoroughfare. A recommendation, on behalf
of the Park Board, will then be taken to the City Council for final approval. The Park Board
may direct/suggest staff to conduct public contests for the naming of parks, buildings,
structures, or thoroughfares within City park property. Exceptions to this policy may be
considered upon recommendations by the Park Board with approval of the City Council.
Approved by Parc Board 5112103
111 YORKVILLE
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PARKS A RECREATION Yorkville Parks & Recreation Department il)1ao0-
908 Game Farm Rd. Yorkville, IL 60560 630.553.4357 630.553.4360 fax e-mail: yorkrecdep(c ao .corn
Administration Office: 301 E Hydraulic Street Yorkville, IL 60560 630.553.4341 630.553.4347 fax
PARK NAMING APPLICATION
Person completing application ac-V- F J 0 c
On behalf of(person or organization)J--ocy Rd
Address of person completing application
(
Phone Number: Home Work Email:
Suggested Name
n
Park, location, facility to be considered for naming: /-t1 Pr1
Please explain why this name should be considered (please use back of application or attach
additional sheets if necessary).
Loc, 10-010.0 cA 0( 6rK t-1101. 1cc &)J(oyuqc,
uoct5 vny 1600,,A.hcte I tv cocci CPC- ,
If naming after a person please verify that the person or his immediate surviving family have
been contacted:
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Person Contacted 3G11 Phone Number
Date contacted: VO0/0 e)'-
By whom: J ac k
OFFICIAL USE
Date Received: By whom:
Request Verified by Staff
Schedule for Park Board Review: Date: Action
City Council Date: Action:
Dedication Name on Signage
Location of Park, Facility, Building, thoroughfare:
r
APPENDIX
Current Parks to be considered for naming/renaming:
Parks/Locations considered for naming/renaming
Fox Hill (2 park sites)
Prairie Park
Van Emmon Park
West Hydraulic greenway
Parks will be named after park development is completed
County Hill
Rivers Edge (three park locations)
Highlands Development(trails and Park)
Wyndett Ridge Development(two parks)
Menards Residential
Heartland Circle
Sunflower
Kylyns Crossing
Parks will be named after park development and annexation is completed
MPI (nine parks, regional park, and trails)
Kimball Hill Homes Park
Westbury
In addition, these parks are named and comply with the proposed policy.
Current Parks with names dedicated by residents/or city officials
Price Park
Purcell Park
Emily Sleezer Park
Beecher Park and Center
Cobb Park
Current Parks with location names
Riverfront Bicentennial Park
Town Square
1
YORKVILLE1111
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PARKS& RECREATION Yorkville Parks & Recreation Department
908 Game Farm Rd. Yorkville, IL 60560 630.553.4357 630.553.4360 fax e-mail: vorkrecdep @aol.com
Administration Office: 301 E Hydraulic Street Yorkville, IL 60560 630.553.4341 630.553.4347 fax
PARK NAMING APPLICATION
Person completing application C f//Z%s7P/jz J, /WV
On behalf of(person or organization)
Address of person completing application
Phone Number: Home Work / Email:
Suggested Name REBECCA ANNE- r i i' k E !Kl vq -
Park, location, facility to be considered for naming: Rox i iw (? cs-& j +Lt Lie
epc-rk_),
Please explain why this name should be considered (please use back of application or attach
additional sheets if necessary).
iSeea-1`4c,Ax , Rebecca cs;:v rni 4c l - e,r 1:re_ +d tieyen Ck cLr.
i t ;#j C s ; S h t was a_ v t ci J o f class -c i roc e , 1-11;S
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Suri/;iJ. ' c
wv , "i.av ou Cri.c Ho u7 C.uhS;dee,0.-Eie
If naming—er a persn please verif that the person or his immediate surviving family have
been contacted:
4941,1rhonePersonContacted -i- amk-er SLY-\ Number
Date contacted: By whom:
OFFICIAL USE
Date Received: By whom:
Request Verified by Staff
Schedule for Park Board Review: Date: Action
City Council Date: Action:
Dedication Name on Signage
Location of Park, Facility, Building, thoroughfare:
APPENDIX
Current Parks to be considered for naming/renaming:
Parks/Locations considered for naming/renaming
Fox Hill (2 park sites)
Prairie Park
Van Emmon Park
West Hydraulic greenway
Parks will be named after park development is completed
SeS211141:Mill
Highlands Development(trails and Park)
Wyndett Ridge Development(two parks)
Menards Residential
Heartland Circle
Sunflower
Kylyns Crossing
Parks will be named after park development and annexation is completed
MPI (nine parks, regional park, and trails)
Kimball Hill Homes Park
Westbury
In addition, these parks are named and comply with the proposed policy.
Current Parks with names dedicated by residents/or city officials
Price Park
Purcell Park
Emily Sleezer Park
Beecher Park and Center
Cobb Park
Current Parks with location names
Riverfront Bicentennial Park
Town Square
1
APPROVED BY THE
yoRKvu.LE COMMITTEE/BOARD
ON: 5 -03 Ae 3O ter:
PARKS a RECREATION Yorkville Parks & Recreation Department
908 Game Farm Rd. Yorkville, IL 60560 630.553.4357 630.553.4360 fax e-mail: yorkrecdeppaol.com
Administration Office: 301 E Hydraulic Street Yorkville, IL 60560 630.553.4341 630.553.4347 fax
NAMING OF PARKS POLICY
The purpose of the "Naming of Parks Policy" is to provide consistent direction for naming park
property and improvements within the United City of Yorkville.
Any citizen, group, city official, or staff may request or recommend a name for a park, building,
structure or thoroughfare within designated park property. The proposed name is to be submitted
in writing on an application form to the Executive Director of Park and Recreation or Park Board
Chairperson. All applications will be consider at their next regularly schedule meeting of the Park
Board. Upon Park Board approval and recommendation, subject proposal will than be presented
to the City Council for acceptance. If accepted by the City Council, a dedication will take place
within 90 days of approval.
The following criteria will be used when considering the selection of park related names: •
1) Any person living or deceased, who has made a significant contribution in support of the
United City of Yorkville, the Park and Recreation Department operation, the state or
national park system, conservation of natural resources or in the recreation profession.
2) Any organization that contributed significantly toward improving the quality of life for the
residents of the United City of Yorkville, state or national park, conservation of natural
resources or the recreation profession.
3) The proposed name for any park building, structure or thoroughfare within a park must be
authorized by a sworn statement from the person whose name is being proposed, or if the
person is deceased, the person's immediate surviving family members. Organizations
wishing to present a proposed name for any park building, structure or thoroughfare must
submit a sworn statement signed by the current President and Secretary of said
organization.
4) No park or recreation facility or property can be named after any public official currently
holding office or person currently employed by the United City of Yorkville.
5) Names that would duplicate the name of another park, building or structure, or thoroughfare
within the United City of Yorkville will not be considered. Also, names that advocate or
endorse religion, religious beliefs, posses obscene connotations, or demean or attempt to
intimidate any individual or group based on race, ethnicity, age, gender, disability, or sexual
orientation within the United City of Yorkville will not be considered.
6) The Park Board and staff will review and discuss the naming of park submittals during their
regular monthly meeting. Upon their consideration,the Park Board will seek a majority vote
in favor of naming a park, facility, structure, or thoroughfare. A recommendation, on behalf
of the Park Board, will then be taken to the City Council for final approval. The Park Board
may direct/suggest staff to conduct public contests for the naming of parks, buildings,
structures, or thoroughfares within City park property. Exceptions to this policy may be
considered upon recommendations by the Park Board with approval of the City Council.
Rebecca May
YORKVILLE -- Rebecca Anne May, 28, of 1706 Cottonwood Court, Yorkville,
formerly of Princeton, died Saturday, March 12, 2005, at Advocate Lutheran
Hospital in Park Ridge.
Born Oct. 10, 1976, in Princeton to Jim and Elaine (Elmore) Krieger, she
married Chris May on May 30, 1998, i' St. Louis- Catholic Church in Princeton.
He survives.
She was a 1994 graduate of Princeton High School and a 1998 graduate of The
University of Illinois, where she received her bachelor's degree in Special
education. She earned her master's degree in educational leadership in 2001
from Aurora University. She was nearing completion of a doctoral degree in
special education administration at the time of her death.
From 1998 to 2001, she worked for the Grundy County Special Education
Cooperative as a teacher of children with physical and mental disabilities. At
the time of her death, she was on leave from her position as a special
education teacher and inclusion facilitator at Alice Gustafson School in
Batavia, where she had been employed since 2001. She had served on numerous
district-level committees, including the district inclusion committee, the
English Language Learners committee and the technology committee. In 2.002 and
2003, she served as co-chair for a district wide teacher's institute to provide
special education training to regular education teachers. She authored and
received grants from the Batavia Foundation for Educational Excellence to
provide additional teaching resources for children with special needs, and
founded a school store to give children authentic experiences in communication
and mathematics.
She was a member of the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development,
the Council for Exceptional Children, Kappa Delta Pi, the Illinois Education
Association and the National Education Association. In 2004 she was awarded
the prestigious William H. Ott Memorial Scholarship by the Illinois Alliance of
Administrators of Special Education.
Also surviving are one daughter, Kylie Charise May, at home; her parents of
Princeton; one sister, Lisa (Glenn) May of Lakewood, Colo.; her grandparents,
Roberta Hall of Princeton, Norma Krieger of Ohio, Ill., and Rollin and Ruth
Elmore of Tiskilwa; her in-laws, Bob and Kathy May of Princeton; and many
nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.
She was preceded in death by two grandparents, Ivan Krieger and Nobel
Bud" Hall.
For:R'becca
Last night I stepped out into the parking Iot as ray husband andI were leaving the
funeral home,I'looked up into' ' the sky. It was one of those clear nights when the stars
were vibrant and da77ling. Sometimes, on nights like that,if you=are Iucky, you may see
a brilliant star go streaking across it. Watching a shooting star eat take our breath away,
and we feel.a sense of privilege,because we.know wehave.been witness'to something
rare and beautiful The event itself may not long, but the memory is seared'into us,
and we hold onto it as a precious treasure
I feel that about my fi iend Rebecca. For me, knowing her for just four;short years
meant I only caught;a glimpse of.that star. But what a brilliant star it was. I d like to
share sonic of the things that I sawj as Rebecca<Anne`Krieger May'streaked across my
sky..
Rebecca was radiant. And I'believe that radiance came not so much from her physical
beauty,which was greated, from " capacity to love. Rebecca d ,
her heart to everyone,andindeifyou
but
were
willingher,
abshe"undquantickly pulled,you in to Icer circleopeneof
love. Those of us who got pulled into that swirl of gravity that her lovewas, knew we
were in special company. How she loved all of you, her family and friends and so often
Isetalked
of you all of you with such great affection and`prde. In four Short years, we
learned about Chris, her soulmate, whom she always spoke of so sweetly, and her
parents, grandparents,`and sister, nieces and nephews, and.Chrts's,fain all the
happy times with the Mays and the Kriegers. Old friends or new friends, young friends,
or not so young';friends, it made no difference to Rebecca. And then last year, came that
sweet gift of grace, Kylie.Charise, and like all proud moms,'we heard storyafter story
about her sweet Kylie and all the wonderful things she was learning and doing And as
she walked through the difficult days of the last nine months,Rebecca opened her heart
again, and found new friends in Dr Richards and Laurel whom she came to trust and
depend on so much.
Rebecca sparkled. Rebecca sparkled because she loved to wear sparkly things, especially
lately when she wasn't feeling so'sparkly. And her colleagues and I were glad to oblige
her with fake jewelry, sparkly shirts, and even socks that said BlingBling! But Rebecca
also sparkled because she was a happy person, a deep down genuinely happy person.
Who could not want to be around that? And how she loved to laugh! Rebecca was
notorious for sending us jokes and funny'sayings to make sure we were all taking time to
smile She was all about having fun and was not afraid of laughing at herself. But true to
her good heart, her fun was sweet and playful, and was neverugat someone else's expense.
Rebecca gave that gift of laughter and fun to her sweet Kylie. What a joy it has been to
watch Rebecca play peek-a-boo or some other game with Kylie down on the floor, and
Rebecca would throw back her head and laugh and Kylie would look at her mom and
laugh right back at her. And after Rebecca came back from:Maryland Last month with
her mom, Elaine, and her dad, Jim; she told me how they had played mad-fibs in the car,
and how hard they had laughed. And even the last time I was with Rebecca, when she
was so very sick, one of the first things she said to me, was could"I tell her some funny
stones from school?
Rebecca's light burned so brightly, because she was so passionate:; Rebecca never did
anything halfway. In fact for her, over the top was just standard;operating procedure.
Everything that Rebecca did seemed to be at an accelerated pace,;and it was as though
she.was programmed to accomplish so.much in so short a time, and she did. .When
Rebecca:recognized something that needed to be done, or set her mind to something she
thought neededtto be accomplished,;she didn't hesitate, she.just did it.`Ifthere was an
obstacle, she figured a way around it. I remember when.she:canted to begn community
trips with her students, knowing that teaching them in'a real world situation would be so
powerful for them. But as often happens in education, the cost oftransportation was a bit
of a problem. It didn't stop her.: She talked me out of a little"seed.money", using that
great and beautiful smile she always had,got'sortie donations from a few others and
started a school store on a cart. It wasn't`long and she and the children were taking those
co nmu ity triips with money they earned in the school store they operated.
Rebecca's life shone with compassion as well. Her life's work was to advocate for and
elevate those who needed to be taught in special ways. She reminded us always, that we -
are all people first, and she never defined others.by their abilities or disabilities. She
seemed drawn to the children in our school who came to us with the most needs, and she
would find a way to make them feel loved, important,:and Included. Many was the time
she made up morning jobs in her room so that"children who needed breakfast and a
smiling face first thing in the morning would have a reason to come to her room to start
their day. Rebecca was always ready to lend a helping hand,:to offer comfort, and to'put
theneeds of others before her own: And even throughout her illness,how many times
did all of use hear her fret over us, and worry about our comfort, afraid that somehow her
illness was making things difficult for us.
One of my favorite stories about Rebecca and her natural compassion has to do with the
courtyard„at our school. There is a small'pond in the courtyard, and each spring we have
families of ducks that come to nest in the courtyard and hatch their'ducklings. We have
learned over the years, that the ducklings often fall prey to larger birds if they are not
removed from the courtyard within a few days of hatching. So each family gets coaxed
from the courtyard after the ducklings are about 4-5 days old. The first year that Rebecca
was with us, she was quite enamored with the baby ducklings. 'She had taken her
students out to see them several times. Unfortunately, no one had explained to Rebecca
that the ducklings would not be permanent residents of the courtyard. Gettting a nervous
mother duck out of a courtyard full of great hiding places, with as many as 12 baby
ducklings following behind is no easy task, but each year our custodian and secretaries,
and whoever else is available participates in the great duckling round-up, and we get the
ducklings'out.of the courtyard to the relative safety of the woods behind our building.
Once we get the mother out of the courtyard she and the ducklings have to cross about a
10 foot hallway. This is the final and most critical part of their journey, and everyone
knows to keep out of sight so the mother duck keeps on walking and doesn't turn her
fi
brood around and head back for the pond That first spring that she was with us,just as
the ducklings were crossing the hallway to the safety of outdoors,Rebecca came down
the hallway; and seeing those poor lost ducklings, she;herded them right back into the
safety of the courtyard. She was never able to live down her reputation as rescuer of lost
and abandoned ducklings.
Rebecca had a sense of purpose and set of principlesthat she would not compromise.'
When Rebecca faced a dilemma or a diificult.situation,`she wasguided not by what was
easy or expedient, but by what was right; More than:once I'saw her take a stand on
behalf ofher students with disabilities, 'or"her`kiddos" as she liked to,call,them. And
when Rebecca knew she was right, she did not back dowr: Many was the time; I saw her
put her chin up throw back her shoulders, stand up straight, and do what had to be done
or say what had to be said on behalf of her kids.
This shooting we knew as Rebecca was wise intelligent, and skilled'as an educator.
Many of us who were much older and more experienced in special education found
ourselves being,mentored by Rebecca. Very quickly, in both Grundy County and in our
community in Batavia, Rebecca became known as a true expert in special education.
When I interviewed Rebecca in July of 2001, I knew we had found someone very special.
And with each passing year, I saw the growing influence that she hadon our school, the
children in our building, and on the district as a whole, -She and I often joked about the
fact that whenever she came in to my office, and closed the door, and said she had
something important to talk to me about, I panicked because I thought she was going to
tell me she was resigning because she had accepted another job. But truly,in"my heart of
hearts;I knew Rebecca was going to be at my school for only a short time, because she
was so brilliant at what shedid.. It was easily within her grasp at some point •in the future
to:be.a leader.iii special education at a state or national level She was just that good:
Finally,,Rebecca was'humble. She may have understood her many gifts, but she never
flauntedthem or tried, or wanted, to make the rest of us feel inadequate., She was grateful
for what:she'had, and content with who she was,and determined, always,to make the
most of every gift every day. And she did. About a month ago, she sent me pages of
quotes over fifty pages of quotes,that she had been collecting. At the very top of the
page in large font was this quote, from The Purpose Drive Life. '`God wants you to make
a difference in the world. He wants to work through you. What matters is not the
duration of your life, but the donation of it. Not how long you lived, but how you lived."
The week before she passed away, Rebecca and I were talking about a book we had both
read by Mitch Albom The Five Peo.le oil Meet in Heaven. I asked her what she liked
about the book, and she shared that she loved the theme that we all had a purpose, even if
we didn't understand it, and that somehow our stories are all interconnected.
In closing I would like to share these words that are paraphrased from a song by Steven
Schwartz:
5,- , ._ -',..='•.,,--.,',,•,,•'''.-:•.'.:.
c,''.--• '''.'...''.--:"'-'-
I've.heard,it said that people come into our lives for a,reason, bringing something vve
5' ..- : '' '' ''''''''' •,'''''''''' ;''''' .
must learn,',
i.'
i.,,:.,•.'.,',,,.:•:_,',`.,,',.:,'.•'.,,,'.'.,;,.','.,:-,,''
i,,:,:„,..:,•:,',•-,,:,.,.,_'.;.,..,,.-,,,.,-_'-,,'-'.,..:•-.,,.,..':-
55,,,.,,,:.'.•,-.,.,,,,'.-,....-.,',-:,..-_,..,'..,,:'._,,.,_,::,:,
5'.'--.,,,;'.,.,_..':,-',,‘,.,;,,'..',,,,,','',-',,--,--.•.;,.',,.,,,.=',:..-..".,.•:.,.'-,-''.,.'-,,,=.,.....''..,_.,.'.'=.'..;,..'•.,,..._.,'-..,'.'..„.,'„.::,',.''-.,'..',',.,.•,'-.,.,'.,:-,,,,,..••,.:..,,,,,.,
I!,,•'.',,...•'',-.•;
f--:...,.,.,'..,..'.-.-':,.',„
5,'','
1;.',.'-,.,'.,.,'-....,;,'.'_.,',:--.:
anal we are led, to those who help us most to grow, if we,let°the-.,.:,,',..m,
and we help;
YoRvIKI.Ls DRAFT
M
YORKVILLE PARK AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT
pARrc&REcREATIoN
The Park and Recreation Department is a municipal department under the jurisdiction of the United City of Yorkville.
There is no separate tax levied to fund the cost of operations for programs, facilities or parks. The Park Board is an
Advisory Board created to provide direction,management and recommendations for the needs and desires for parks
and recreation services.
OPEN FORUM
The Yorkville Park and Recreation Department Staff and Park Board are hosting a public forum to get input
from the residents of Yorkville and the surrounding area. We are interested in hearing from you what you
feel the needs for services and facilities for the Park and Recreation Department will be in the future.
In addition, this is an opportunity for you to tell us what we are doing well or ways you would like to see our
services expanded to meet your family's current needs.
Do you want more Park and Recreation Services?
What kind of services or facilities would you like to see in the future?
What does all the issues and discussion in the newspaper about forming a Park District mean to
you and your family?
What new facilities or services are planned for the future?
Will Yorkville ever get a public pool?
Are you aware of all the services Park and Recreation offers?
Date:
Time:
Place:
Who should attend: Residents of the United City of Yorkville
Residents who take part in the Recreation Department Services
Residents of the Yorkville School District
Residents interested in helping plan the direction for the Recreation Department
Partners and stakeholders in the Community
VGIJ UJ UJ U.. .I IQ I UIINVIIIG I- Ir QIIU INGVIG v--T N.
1
Yorkville rh £tap
developer ., . for
c• enter. ore . .niors - fs•
By Allecia vermillion ' - :mustoffset theimpact of the. - •
wrti R specific group moving into the-STAFF, new developments..tn dor= "
YORKVILLE--'The city is :,kville,the.majority ofnewar-
examining an unusual Means rivals are families.with young
Of funding a much-needed se- children.
nior.center here.- , Parks are open and,usable"
YarkvilIerequires each new for people of all age Wyeth.
development sprouting in its said.Also,"a community cent"
burgeoning boundaries to pro- ter with various usesisalways
vide the city with eitherland or defensible.".
cash to-help accommodate the ...:Spears saidthe money,could -
population influx.The land- 'come from.age-restrictedde-
cash money generally funds ve.lopments like the Del Webb
new parks and recreation.fa..--. neighborhood currentlyseek,
cilities-ing approval.Alderman-Valerie:-!
Ata Meeting wemgthisek,Alder.:,°"Buid noted that sewers often '
man Rose Spears said shewould ::purchasetown_homesand other
like the.city to consider allocat:.',: smaller units alongside young
ing land-cash"specfcallyfor-'a.. couples. "
seniprcenter."Ouerthe nextfiew: - City development plans call
months;citystaffw ll develop a:: for:both a senior center and
price tagforaSenior orcommu • communityceriterinYorkville's_
nity building,allowing the City future,but aldermen voiced no
Council to determine whether. :opposition to one large build-
usingland-cashwouldbepracti- •ingservingboth grolips.Asthe .
cal;and whattimeline would be -seat of Kendall county,Tor-
possible.' - kville's senior prograins,the f.
It's greatto sayyou're going . Golden:Diners andthe Senior'
to do something in two years,. Services Associates of IKFndall
but the initial thing is to find- County,.attract patrons from
out how much money We're-..,Oswego,Plano and more dis---,
talking about,"MayorArt Pro= tant points.
chaska said.Some difficulties would ac-.
He also said two-private- company a land-cash=funded
groups have approached him, .-budding_Moneytrickiesinto the -
interested in a public-private- .pity based on.building.permits,
partnership to build"a senior so obtaining:afull balance from
center.
V. a development could take Six or
The City Council is:setto.ap="- eightyears-The city Must also
prove moving several displaced:•"use the money within 10 years.
county senior-programs to the" - -Yorkville,Parks and Recre-''"
cramped.Beecher-Communly, 'ation Director Laura Brown
Building,making akiermenand' said her department crafts of-
staff painfully aware the city ferings like walking trails or
needs morecommunityspace. : passive",non-playground parks
Using land-cash for a senior- - designed to appeal to older res- -
specific building is"a definite .id'ents.However,"show me the •
gray area,'city attorney John'• need and I.support it 100per-
Wyeth said.Legally,the money 'cent,"she said. " .
K1 Wil t) 2.1_ .5_0c H
City considers .Senior C erle`funding opionSByKathyFarren
reaidettts would have to drive there. We
need to step up to the plate and do what tan idea suggested that the city try to Yorkville to get a senior center to senseTheCityof.Yorkville mayone day we said we would.We should be invitin targeted
idea far what percentage of age both towns.
city
build a senior center with hep from them(sem from other towns)here."
g
usually filled with seniors actuallyts
He said that
figureare
eout whet
ka dthey ant
first
to build arld
private partner or with fees from Prochaska agreed."It serves the people per entage of recreation contributions how soon. "We need to figure what wedevelopers, but, for the lime being, of YoTkyille_If other people come,okay_ might then be used fora senior center_ need to build in,say,three years.Then,Senior programs arc likely to have. a
Our Parks and Recreation Department Alderman Valerie Burd said if what does k lake to build it?What doeshomeinthecity's Rueter Cenkr, people don't have to hire people to developers announce a project as senior it take to get there?,"he said,Mayor
in
Att Pi°chaska said at Tuesday's provide these services,'he said. targeted they aren't likely to argue aboutCouncilCommitteeoftheWholeAlderrnanWandaOharesuggestedthatcontributionsbeingusedforthose fmeetingthathehashaddiscussionswithSeniorServicesshouldsetasidepartofresidents, Halt Clubat!i ast.two people"who were interested us i"came for a building but Prochaska She also pointed out that some multi-in a public/private partnership to builds fa
d the income the agency gets is needed family or townhomes developments-senior center.
onHdidn'
t provide any Ohare also
arguedwhile not advertised as age targeted-still open housefurtherinformationonthoseoffers. that the Council attracted a large percentage of seniors.The Council also'discussed setting didn't get updates from the senior ad hoc with none of their park contributions set is Saturdayasidelaudcashcontributionsfromcommitteeuntilfateintheprocessandasideforseniors.developers• especially those planning aldermen were getting pushed on thedevelopmentsforseniors- to fund a
ecu Wyeth noted that parks are open to all The Hall Club will hold shaper.house
senior center. Alderman Rose Spears said shehoped
ages while a"senior center by tide alone from noon to 6 p.m,Saturday Se r. 16
the Council would cerate a senior renter,
i s designed for one age group." at their location at 3t)I E. Van Em monMovetoBeecherTheseniorsherecreatedthis
Since them is an age targeted area in in the publicUntilapermanentseniorcenteriscommunity. They made it desirable. he Grande Reserve subdivision,Spears The public is
aniza o
to attend andfunded, Senior Services will likely be Thatswh}'developenartheie,'shesaid. —
asked if any of that development's see what the organization,which deals
moving into the large Perkins Room at Prochaska noted that Senior agencies
centerecrer
money can b:used for a senior wi•th addictions, is about-Refreshments
rhe Beecher Center on Game Farm Road. ta`'e been operating out of the Bea her center, and food will be served.
The Council yore next week on a Building since it opened in the early p
Laura Brown,executive director of the For more information. call 630-553-
the
will
with Senior
week
S1984'x. Parks end Recreation Department,said l D
The agency has to move from its hecitywouldneedmrceewagrtroved. current loeation at Countryside Center, Land cash for seniors Which have already been approved.
which is being demolished. Later ir, the Tuesday's meeting, the
Grande Reserve developers gave a large iInexchangelertheuseoftheBeecher •Council discussed using park and part of their land cash contribution in thespaceforSeniorServices,Harold Oliver recreation land cash funds contributed by
form of land,she said,while some other Cross/FIRE. •
of HRM Properties, the owner of developersfor asenior Center.developers, at (
oresa.
Creek and
Countryside Center,has offered the city '
It seems we've got quite a bit for Rainey Vill/te,for example,provided IIF,e')p, i:.,.
span in[he former Castle Bank building Parks," Alderman Rose Spears the use it
with the agreement that h r`3 h t ,next to Countryside Center which he also commented, the city use it to develop parks in those tr_.icy.... c
owns.Recreation programs now offered Prochaska noted that land cash
solidi
Brown suggested
9! d. ? `
at Beecher could then be offered at the donations must be used to offset the suggested changing the formates ur. °.
new location. impart of the neighborhood and provide
the city uses in seeking land cash f' ed m•VCL•rte•I
Seniors Services will pa}' a fee to services for the arra.Using funds fee'int
foaysbations,
setting aside a percentage ro..
cover maintenance and utility costs tt
one age group might bring Challenges to
for a senior center. Wyeth agreed that i^ 'E'ecoverBeecherandthecityexpectstopaythethecontributions,he said.could be included In annexation
same costs for the space in the former Alderman Martin Manns asked how agreements which are negotiatedearssuggestedwithbankbuilding.That agreement is ant yet
That would relate to age restricted ora individualointhat developers_Spears 3
ready to approve, the Council learned targeted communities and CityAttorneydoing from now on.
Tutsdat John Wyeth said conUibuhns froProchaska also suggested using ASrdgu
a
While some aldermen haw expressed those areas would be"more defensible-' recreation funds forzcammunit}center.YOR'tvrLLC NAPAAUTO PARTSaboutthecityprovidingspaceOnlyseniorc.can live in age restricted parts of which could then be used by aA sawn enAea v°rk te,Itfarconcernanagencythatservesmorethan'use developments while age targeted projects cantors and
get s ace for that might be a vro„e-{sw;ssatvc4 •Fad:(6331553.2164Yorkville,Prochaska said that the
just
are designed to attract seniors with
faster way to getspaccforscniors. sslN0aR0 ee"rs'sw*Naa antnrcam
inn be getting too and a half times the features like one story homes.and little Burd said neighboring communities V!E KEEP AMERICA RUNNING.space it now has for recreation by °rnOa'tdoOrmainlenaneC. relight be interested in working with
swapping for space at the former bank.
Alderman Valerie Burd said the cityneedstobroadenourhorizons. If the
senior renter was in Plano_ Yorkville
CONS£
ad pm ENERGWaitingiiing forth eCleanandpiolaedysendcadhealirioand000ling
equipment will keep costs at a minimum.._
erfCt opportunity?r
P'''::Ti:E:;::;'1',::;'-;:,,...',
OURT OWNS iza
The BeaconNews • SUNDAY,.SEPTEMBER 18,2005 •A3 DA
10 aids fight against terrorism YMCA makes
tools they can use,"Bondi said" can look for.cerned citizens to. Aurora's
If citizens are just more aware "We designed the scenes Stevens Cleaners,which ap-
ofwhat's going on around them around things thathave already pears in the video as the site of
whether it be terrorism or a occurred,"he said. a police uniform theft. i a for tvvoburglarbreakingintoahouseForinstance,residents are Now,Bondi's task is to make
we're raising awareness." asked to be aware of people who surepeople haves chance to see
Six months ago,Bondi saw a do"dry runs"of their planned the video.
State produced
and immediately byterthe
h as
who blew
done "Themosed. get outThat's
the
ur- buildingset-
State Police and immediately the people who blew up the ter;"Bondi said."That's the pur-
thought Illinois needed the Murrah Federal Building in pose.
same thing.Oklahoma City" ,
I looked at it and thought, Other signs residents are FYI
Wow,we've totally missed the given practical instruction on By Allecia Vermillion he said.
boat on this one,'"Bondi said. include how to spot and report The 10-minute video is avail- STAFF WRITER In Yorkville,the YMCA will
With a$10,000 grantfrom the people who acquire supplies, able at www.illinoishomeland- construct a new building.The
Chicago First banking comps- test security or engage inout-of- securityorg/ittf.Groups that PLANO—Elizabeth liar- 15,000-square-footeastbranchfa-
ny,IMSAstaff member Bill Mc- place behavior. wouldlikescopy'otthe DVD graves stoppeddrivnghere from ruttyisplannedforlate2008.The
Grail and l:MSAalumnae Wendy Local residents will recog- or video can call(800)943- Somonaukseveral years ago. organization is finalizing a loco-
Gable helped Bondi produce the nizeseveral ofthe"stars"of the 2690.English,Spanish and She used to visit the FoxValley toninthenortheasternportonof
video,which outlines the seven video,from IMSA staff mem-. closed-caption versions are FamilyYMCAto swimandusethe the city,"within eyesight"ofBris-
signs of
of
terrorism that people hers who volunteered as con- available, workout room.These days,she tel,Oswego,Montgomery and .
frequents the YMCAs off-site ex- Sugar Grove.The architecture
ercise course for seniors held in.a ff-*mbehindAurora'snewVaughan
dance studio in Sandwich.The in-.Athletic Center donated the de-
structorkeepsHargravesand her signs.
r,•t. s r:t{ r,
i
42
ra e r
1,
J R as
I4 ng'"1liesdaysandThursdays.
rk
F • • Pool in Yorkville
k
r-''''''''
4'=„7".'-
y4'--
Pl If Sandwich would hurry up The Yorkville plans call for
t
ro
T and open,we could have class workout facilities similar to the
i three times a week,"she said. Sandwich space,as well as to fain
ti1e a'+j
5'.•::,.M1 ,,'
o .
461 TheYMCAislaunchingalarge- ilya recreational pool with zero-
ka mi , o scale expansion,opening a new depth entry and a three-court
aF;t'facility this winter in Sandwich gymnasium.These two amenities
and building another in Yor- are planned for later phases,but
T kville. Bobbittsaidthatstrongfund-rais
i F t The newprojects arearesponse ingcouldbringthepoolandeven
P,, the asiumintotheinitialcon-
t to the area's explosive growth, gY
a*' which leaves the organization's struction.
te
r
r ''''.:::•,
4477,4,---re
k,.
mac, 63,000-square-footPlanobuild ng Bobbitt said the YMCA will
Z
4 - ,Q- y, s.,: consta
ency'
smrrungwp
an
panic.launch a$4.5 million capital cam-
o K
R.'* r ` 5 The agency's growth planca]led PaigntopayforYorkvilleand
r Tr .x , xoR„° ''''za.auc, ,, fornewfitnessandactivitycenters roundoutexpensesattheSand-
n s„ 8 miles to the east and 8 miles to 'Nick facility.. ,r r:
g` ' -- ." ' -+' '
i On top of construction and reti'W.e r',1
teewexe'
utiverDirecorhe
Andrew modeling cogsts;"tructimachine-
rt w, -,,',14•'''';---..;;;71,'..
pter'
s Executive Director
r:j " i , rr l,p Bobbitt
ty extensivex
e
ns ve pr
ce
tagdei
h saidi''o'
a fr 0 r1j .. Initsformerlife,theSandwich
Alsotensivepricetag;'
beopen5::',.;,--..-----,1',..„,..-
r.-
k k x
r
n
to
discussinghe
YMCaming
rightsd
be open
at
er r, i builerMot7nSkate ink.
Dwas
bbed, to naming with
3.4-,. ' a rr y t .% ,RolleMotonSkateRnk.Dubbed donors and other supporters."
I:Vi•n'{,7 7 i* " t, 44 i'',,,,i-s%.,-',,,...,'• - the YMCAwestoranch,e in De-14 * + • "* be completed some time in De- The YMCA's eureehtn2building
0
c N, te
a. °- ezz" ' "f- r"`'
s'
a
f
Cemneattensiveremodelin
i
people from
seromves
farawayas
lburnofthepeopleeromasfarawayasElburn
a II3 „ tiN ° . *a Jnr.
g and Sheridan.
a • ^-r",y- -X
u , K -' ,a i 1996 buildingwillincludeinstalls- ylariaContreractsa. sinfrom
tv/''
t ' "
ru?''''
t
rite h '''' ,tion of afitness center,group exer- Oswego"every day,sometimes
t 4k Rk ,uv' else room,locker roomsand child twice a day."Her 6-year-old son
t.;'4.! a
S
a A C a
I. care.Alarge multi-purpose room and3=year-olddaughterhavebeen
trN^;,dr^.:. Z will house dances,lessons and swimming,
the sliceHEATHEREIDSON/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER special events. ports at the YMCA-ever' since
ily Gonzalez,9,search for trash to pick up along the railroad tracks near Mahoney Creek during a cleanup Planscalledforabuildbuilding they met each,acttetfy's"age re-
on't pick that garbage up now,it's going to go into the creek,"shouted head volunteer Brenda Organ as she eralyearsdown the road,"Bobbittquirements.
s.The cleanup was organized by Batavians for a Healthy River.The,creek's.entire length is in Batavia"said.Butthechance to acquirethe "I've talked to families that
14,000 square foot building for comefromBristol,fromBastay.aor
r 1 ,,,LL,,..„,„:rp w, Ii $3451090 was too good to Bass` from Sugar Grove,','she said."It
u I' f;' 1'seems Mice ever one travels ats1, h ,- a,;i u<rp a 1 P r`, , t J l s F Y_
Y i Ifwewere to wazta number of least 25 to 30 minutes in a radius
yers;(th cost}couldhavebeen
frost
t, ,
Sirit€' ers au tr double Bobbitt sad
He also praised the one-time
rink's central locatiomThe open i,i;interior means r
carving out spacecostlessthancarvingoutspace A preview of the Fox Valley
from abuildingfull ofwalls"and Family YMCA's new Westn.. a 011e< re e cubicles Branch in 707 S.Sandwich,
oldRepresentativesfromtheMainSt.;will be held from 11
YMCA and the Sandwich Park a.m.to 1 p,m:Oct.15.r4 c ry -'
2.
3s •l's' •7t-4;,,'"'4L''' Distrstarediscu.sugtheirdas .Complimentaryfoodandrk1* y,:t6yx , ousProgramofferirigsanlneeds,NEwR• s « ..'f, <i, a ;ail drink,guest passes.and a
i,. lar ma i , all y a2 v - i
t rsthtscomple entsnup dsupple-e'dsmail butwith
t Fy t=P3 it 1
r y tersthat"complementandsupple drawing
be
fora
aila
member-
eod'n into a hill of
i, • : -y- g 'r 4,-4-.4 >c ,•vs:, -e- 'i ment"each other.' ship will be available.Visi-
et* `
M.'-.7i,":y ;
r .4.4..-z-•.,!;• !;-- > a a `w 4 "Obviously,it:wouldn't make tors can also take a hard-hat
paler mud coo
1 =
5 11
V & sense duplicate,services," tour of the facility.
6roaf therJiunk of, r
7_,..,,,„..t,_,..,..„,jds,addtng.itte the ,
R
z IEYour',,fhe rrtoyndGof Ilifr , , err ''
brokenbicycles a, , t x.
ccer net and many 2 i_.
rte!.y Displaced family
n Saturday morning w 15.-:,,',Y.`
r+
f,
scores a home
i.•
risi01 J
Up to
ti. 4.,41,4•L9-1 KYLE0 BEARS OPEN SWEET HOME " OmON
l,'Yx lv i 1v HOMESLATE n:.
1110 D, WITH NOON 7
C '%.------p TILT TODAY es a v 3
huoNsCiiiea‘
epO Coupon savings , SPORTS,Dl yv`
y
so-
2,IL.? I
I• for home-delivery customers y?sy.
The SundayBeac
IGH 83
SUNDAYr ;SEPTEMBER 18;2005
THE VOICE OF THE FOX VALLEY SINCE 1846 • WWW.5UBURBANCHICAGONEWS.COM • AURORA,ILLINOIS 1.50
Friendlydevelopers an influenceorag
Community involvement:From cheons and tours,fund referendum campaigns, engineers and others paddled canoes bikedand
paddle canoes,shoot arrows and even assemble ran in the Yorkville-sponsored'ever t They also
golf outings to personalized puzzles blindfolded. participated in surprise events including a scv-
Municipally sponsored golf outings have long enger hunt,archery,assembling a puzzle whileuptours,home btulderS get t0 been an opportunity for private companies to blindfoldedandevenwalk ngtogether asateana
know communities'leaders build relationships and channel sponsorship on twogiantwoodenskis
money into the towns they work with.But in Jeremy Meek,a plannerwlth Schoppe Design
ri By Allecia Vermillion
booming towns like Yorkville,developers and Associates,participated m all these,eventp with,
other growth-related companies takeavarieryof his compyorkvany's team.
t
s'AFFwh ER approaches to wooing city officials. Oswego-based Sch000ehasaformalizedstatus
YORKVILLE—Developers aren't quite will- On a recent Saturday,s x of the 30 teams par- as
Oswego-based
lle's
sed S
ngcoernh
to
nts:Meek saidthe
ing to jump through hoops to impress the city. ticipating in the city's Amazing Adventure Chal-
s
But they are willing to provide personal lun- lenge race were corporate groups.Developers, Turn to DEVELOPERS,A8
mr
sthewaterrecedesinNew CHANCEANSC®
allmpactofHurncaneKa-
to surface
to
surface'.
hathundreds yOP,xst' y
ould be' eal.L y- 3 ne •3`!1 fd",.
commu- Y ter r
rweeko£
insider
r.:S ;^ S
Displaced
ao came family will
yin.
41,,,c,,,,-;.'
tJi.L
fo ca e
amuse: y ' lt- a a L Fdeabout
of Naper i z t ;,r 4 r1.r--e?"z'>we comer 1 s * 4
Y.includ we home a e
sa
m: `
c.ii, ,
I ,e trans page A3. I 5 r ..r i'
T. r ) g. a };
in last 1ii.I. i
P.' .t,,--,, '-.1' 3+•-"
businesses1
f
le,.-;. ? x
Federal weigh chant-t 1
agement es of reopen- l
I that no ing.Page A9. j Gk u . • t
ae tom- 9fi1 a4 ,1 w m
Ylental Health Center,ac- 1 At
a r ,
rF`
1 +
r L,3s
II Catching, who has
wt;
it t sE > 1.,-$7.;7:4:F
ir'
t0 I I l
a ' -
ara's relief efforts.
8
a s5
mat the old Aurora Chris- Di. 2
t 1. s*x tfr s `
Iuestooverflowwithdona-s r r
i ,
r t,p
stop center,which brought it3 bks a< ",
a
ervice organizations in an 44-441,firtut., v 1-
sharing of resources,will b +r r
c.
of many of the donors,the
a
4,,L sr .a k Y
be distributed to survivors tt i i v r
thing said. r 'r•. 'i +r
t the operation was nota yq rt ' r1
s,as the schoolexpecteda
t•a }sr_ sn
nithas assisted 37 families
Turn to NATRINA;-A2
a trainran y,k y, HEATHER EIDSON/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
1LL
l i l b
Ponchos Restaurant manager Frank Sal eral takesla phone call during a lunch hour.At HUD loan helped fund the costs of opening the establish-
15,• t T ment in Aurora He had thejneighborhood people in mind when he opened up and set the prices;'said.Saitijeral of his hrother,John,who owns
thesuccessful eatery at 700E New York St.,t., '.7 vrF
1, 82 hurt ' MILLIO.LION DOLLARS IN FEDERAL LOANS THAT HAVEf
GONE UNUSED MAYYET GWE'DOWNTOWN, EAST SIDE A BOOST
PRESS
BY HeatherGillersAcommutert' -derailed 4-, rSTAFFWRTTER
ucagosSouthSlde kalhngat err ,
a c
ri , leand inljuuring 82 some,of,C w,IIRO,ZA.,,
a,
Citgo aals.and busmessleaders are prepay a
a 7,..t//'Jing toshelplo r.,..a;epreneursjufil>?r$6 5 ffour.nears
bey
eckeclvietratranfwastav "s ,loanstthat`have;gonemostlyuntappedfozfoury ears be setekeftietratfieatlieloco-,'t•: , rausrcandilfar lacke mformation.andtrainng accordrngto 3 ,P-gam . —„ .five cars`jumped theAracks' some offfio`se]eadefsand,`offinals,<
southof,'downtown author x 3 i-- r: W.henAurora.Wassel`ectec)<foraDepai I`entbfHousing and ; c;
7
AS Sunday,September 18,2005 The Beacon News DA N—.--News
munities'streets,dining rooms emergency teams,said Fire commuter.rail.system duDEVELOPERSandotheramenities.She also ap- ME'('RA Department spokesman Larry,serves the Chicago area.Th
predated the chance to get to Langford. train had a routine inspectio.
From page Al know the company'srepresenta- From page Al After the accident,there this week,she said.
tives in person. was a 30-foot gap between two ,The speed limit is15nip]
companymakes an effortto par- to the track to reach the of the cars,one of which had in the area,Pardonnet said
ticipate in'fun stuff"like races Honestefforts to impress scene, severe damage at the front She did not know howfastdi,
and golf events but also to sup- Past and current city officials Julie Arredondo,who was end.The other cars remained train was going]'
port other city-related causes,are quick to point out that such sitting on the upper deck of upright but'had left the " The engineer has been opliketheChamberofCom- efforts are common in desirable the train,.said the accident tracks. erating Metra trains for 4]
merce. towns and have no inappropri- happened with no warning. All track signals were work- 'days,after six months of train
It keeps relationships built; ate influence on people who "Everyone was flying every- lug when the derailment oe- . ing thatincluded trial runs oi
especially for guys who are inmake decisions. where,"she said. curred,said Judy Pardonnet, the same Joliet-to'Clticagl
the office all day,it's a chance to "These guys are in business, ' Paul Sterk,a commodities a spokeswoman for Metra,the route and more than five year;
getyourface out there,"hesaid.'and their goal is to get their plan broker at the Chicago Board
So many times,we're(known of Trade,was sitting in theapproved,'said former alder-
only by)phone or e-mails:' man Richard Sticks former upper level of the third car.6,
Wheaton-based developer head of the city's economic de-
I've been riding the train tWiseman-Hughes Enterprises velopment committee,which
for 20 years-You get used to i H a,C;l-e, c
sponsored the event and fielded the sound and the motion.I a k
athree-person team.
works extensivelywithdevelop- just felt it shift and in a second r VfI a
i I R
We're a prominent builder in
era.
Igrabbedholdofsomething i 1eJ%.%e f"f 1 ;`
theYorkvillemarket,"said Wise- Like any sales person, he said.'I knew we were off
man-Hughes marketing director they re going to sell what the tracks." 7 .T t [v
Gail Payonk."The more you they ve got to sell.They're not Dozens of emergency ye- r"OLL oA7 AA7AD O8 .
give,you get back tenfold in re-
Just going to stand there and hides and two medical heli
turn with the community look_ look atyou:' copters were.called to the ' t
CHAR;r D T n T1 (v
ing out for us and helping us and
Sticka said the public nature scene.Workers erected three ...(...,":," 71l f--Lj.ly, BROILEDOJLIiU tJ
promoting our own c'smmuni-
of these sponsorships and ac- red triage tents to treat people •E '`*
tit-
tiv;ties is more honest than se- near the tracks.City officials uu((('tI 7cret,back-room dealings. ,sought help from suburban irk TOR,TAS AllOITAID.Private tours offered Underhanded is when they 4)14 "
Companies also employ more call up and offer you money,"he' TACOS Y MAB:
traditional methods of outreach said.
1. Gott ICflO1NS4) .to city officials. Developer dollars are begin-
TORTI r ACDeveloperDelWebbhasningtocreepintolocalpoliticaldailyinTheBeaconNews.r ;`
4` '^' TOR AS TACOS'taken the mayor and interested campaigns as well.The parent
aldermen on a private tour of committee that supported p MORE'homes in their Huntley andEl in April's unsuccessful school ref-1
y g real estate transactions•mortgages E
active adult developments.The erendum was largely funded by p
neighborhoods•real•feature home w
companyisseekingapprovalfor developers.The$27,000 budget lames dulley •estate•home how 630=898-5070a585-acre,1,300-home develop- paid for signs,newspaper adver- to egeecyprotiles'•properties
ment for people age 55 and over tisements and mass mailings.
open houses•resource guide•lames `t 907 UNION ST., AURORA
northwest of Route 47 and Ga- One developer whose com-
woodward•pamela reeves•agency s: #lena Road, pany contributed to the fund,
Reties•home how-to •transactions Autentico Sabor'Mexicano
TheJulyvisitswerelimitedto said$149 contributions to City The Aui-i', tic Mexican Flavortwopublicofficialsatatimebe- Council candidates are common Sundays in BeacorINeWS
ra
cause three or more would have in nearby towns.State election
violated state open-meeting re- law requires candidates to re-
quirements.Developers also port contributions of$150 or i<Rainbow •Tile & Carpet, Ltd. c ° ° a
provided a luncheon at the up- more.to Fa it
scale Walleye Grill restaurant "If it's not happening there 1ygSHOWROOM—SALES—INSTALLATION t F
their Huntley Sun City develop- yet,it will be,"he said of Yor- Special,
ment. kville.
11tVi.,
Pediatrics W
The city offered an August However,most of the city's 12 John St.,North Aurora T ' and Intern
dinner and group tour of the fa- recent aldermanic races have Iyer
630)897-3335 iF „...-'••-.Speaks,Enggsh s:ci]ities that would have consti- been uncontested.Judging by C •S 1 ..w
tuted a public meeting,but itwas the barrage of questions and re- , - 1
cancelled because ofpoor atten- quests the City Council D1. C 1lstinaa
dance. ally has for proposed 1300 N HIheend..9:,
Alderman WandaOhare,who developments;allYorkyilleproj- Open Until 8:00 p.m.Thursdays!' 4-,:t.-4.9t, tr i..
went on one of the lunch,trips.:ects go through a lengthy vet-,,:,,
s1, 6 •
saidDelWebbprovidedthefood ting process:regardless
of1 r J c'y >'E
and transportation because the whether•the cor9pany spoil n"r A trnkr ip- e
r-y,,..:w -
la n+r{r ,rrs t t
two sites theyvrsited wereso far hssored dinner at.14o outi'i or 5 a w a r.C
away "If„it w,as something intocanoe lin a cityp(e
i. I r' 9 +if r.
a i4 es vl e•a 13- t • r - •
Plano they;wouldn t bother 's;T,hlt:N'yd?heir4.4, Vis,
throwing that in(she said .4, v?eyt .y i #
l'W.,it>x'
t 9”tt 'Some diiihes v v lnirec drop,, l Idtumt..•
rse r' rt s" N 3 ! n
Oharesaidthitrim'vaseduca Atheyi. dO er,, ecq rc j s rx ' i..,"+ . •"" '-
it ..••• ••
do•• It helped to see the com ty i-Le4
r;04.,,,,,,,
r)
r 3 sr, I Yloreen'pmkusin mill be present"g do edam a •Sm47` `"'x 0
i „
s ;i ,it A A `,t ots rc s s
muluiicc and labor=muconceptions add Benc its
t
I ct
t
t Wednesday,October 5,2005,at"2 ash-Coplcy Medical Center
rt 7-8:30 p.m.
w-- :To register,call 866-0ee027LFY(I-866-426-7539)
An Affordable Assisted Living
Community for the Older Adult TJetrsonaliaeci, Holistic Health cage for (Tod
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ftwho pr`avtde r mart'he?:thcare to womenfrom,,dolescence through menopa
4 wiNQ oCustom Made
for ore"
f-. i
WELL--I FIBERGLASS 2 orMo rs,r r i.•.v;,i. zoaoos,r,,,..,,,,.',5o,,r i o,.,.,,,eto,n,,,A.,,,nnD,...t..c.0 Plrom:e 0-97R-0RIX • F.,.,:a,av,.e-
BE"WELL'PROTECTED COVERS HO"'
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r , s
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KEEPS WIND&RAIN
1 I 1 1 It ,/ f."-- S-.- d .. ._ r .»n3 r.r.-tem.r`
t::is._
r p will attemptL1EIitIe:S.i
to continuer
itli,sii.',Iii1.,
iia rb i r r
4„...,.„.... .
Y = nTil
7-.4
lunch
1ii z ti» i = g
El;s ' i° 4 F
wrong,”Spears said,although she
y r i f +_
STAFF
Allecia Vermillion
said someelderly residents had ex-f e WRITER
FF.. y - -s- t g. ., + _ pressed disappointment about small
t f a i- - ' YORKVILLE—Apopular senior portions and a recent decision to stop
W i` t .".,?' 1,1„,14„
IS: I' a .....11,1!...,1!!„.: meal program will soon have a new serving dessert.
i provider,but the old one plans on However Golden Diners,who has
z."
i $ . mr` r' °.r,m...,
sticking around. held the Kendall County job a quar-
Z$I z f s S On Oct.1,Chicago-based Corn- ter-century,will continue offering thei'1',S^,
k jx ,, T « 3 Y i munity Nutrition Network will as- sociable lunch service,"and were
a'''4 : z. VASrr,gj some the elderly meal delivery doing it on our own,"said Cecelia
4ue."..
i > a ,
aFp?r"+*
e,,„x + 1 ,`+ d] , • services long performed bythe Sal- Sanders,the program's community
u
iw n f vation Army's Golden Diners pro- liaison.
5 J
g gram.The group will also take over According to Sanders,the Salva-
x the funding for the communal tion Army agreed to"help us with
f lunches currently served at the funding or help us find funding"tofBeecherCommunityCenter. cover the costs of the lunch pro-
n2i.--..,.... :-.,-.7-iir The programs are largely funded gram.
under the federal Older Americans Historically,approximately40per-
ne rur twcam,;asaKaaa Act,which calls for home-delivery cent of their clients have been con-
and congregate meals forseniorciti- gregatelunchersrather than delivery
r zens.The Northeastern IllinoisArea Seniors who come into Beecher for
i AgencyonAgingawardsthemoney, lunch are asked to contribute$2.75,
tli' .$rz° `"` ' k
s$,i$_i f s:
r_ and requires meal providers to sub- but everyoneisservedwhetherornot
irT +]
r ,-,4,--4;41,—.."'144;41, «n I mit bids every three years.theycanpay.
r c ref a s Executive director Lucia West On Tuesday the City Council willMit '
4, y cks
1 Jones said CommunityNutrition Net vote on whether to allow the Golden '
r f 'h
1 t }. work won the contract because her Diners to remain in the Beecher Cen-
5*ie,e ' # a•s:i 1, agency"needed to improve services ter,or oust them to make room for
Axl'' p:. in GrundyCounty."The two groups Community Nutrition.Both groups5wrs1, 1 1 identical
g P
a
g .
t i i t received evaluation scores have filedarequesttousethesite.r
j
i r. a J 1 4 pj ti in Kendall County,including a 30- As an additionalwrinlde,aportion
ria y
ss;1. pointlongevitybonus for the Golden of the kitchen equipmentinBeecher
I" 'esil 11 I' e`Diners,buttheCommunityNutrition was purchased withfederalfundsfor
mss l Network also won the contract for the senior meals program,so if Gold-
t it
t-..".v 5-# :- rta@" Grundy County.en Diners stays,the equipmentmust4.`,S+i 3- '`" '' -1 Since the neighboring counties follow the Community Nutrition Net-
r {.- I...` a a, c_ i y --- are the agency's two smallest,West work.
4s*, u-`k
sadhergroupdecidedtoawardthem Meanwhile,aldermen azealso de-
s . '''o ,a
i 9`'
1$.,tooputo eep onsNts
twor Sbe
icesAsherto sintooptheBefitnonprofitSenior
fr '
i1, ss S.r CommunityNutrition Network ServicesAssociatesintotheBeecher
i
flit" runs CookCoun sMeals onWheels s acewhentheir Coun Center
program and 22 group meal sites in home is demolished this fall.
n °T
suburbanServices, rsces
i 'em a chance,"said Alder- counselingaoganizwhicheso al
man Rose Spears,who works closely events,owns the kitchen equipment
DONNELL COLLINS/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER with the senior community.While used for Golden Diners.
son plans to publish a 400-page history of her family,which is from Sweden.The photograph on she saidknowslitfleabouttheincom- If the group leaves Beecher,"we
ter is of family members who came to.the United States in the late 1800s. ing organization,Spears said people would have to find another site in the
familiar with it praise the"excellent, county as well as equipment,"Sand-
excellent nutrition program.'The ers said.She said the group would not
meals are required to meet certain be committed to staying in Yorkville,
Cnutrition
standards. butwould go"whereverwe couldfind"
Golden Diners has done nothing a place."
y:Maple my grandmother and boxes of pictures:' They traced the family to 1770. Yorkville mayor citesButNelson's research didn't stop there. Father's Da reunionworkingShegleanedinformationfromfamilyy
Swedish Bibles and hospital records.She On Father's Day,at Johnson's Mound inbooktofoundamajorsourceofherinformationatElburn,approximately200relativesfromall senior center options
s wish the Gustafson Research Center,located in over the U.S.and Sweden attended afamily
the Batavia DepotMuseum. reunion,representing eight generations. By Allecia Vennillion Developer Harold Oliver of
Herfamily's ancestors immigrated to the "Itwas abig revelation knowing she(An- STAFF WRITER HRM Properties also confirmed,
United States in 1870 and settled in Batavia. gela)was doing the sameworkinthe United I've been in discussions with the
I NEWS Theykept cominguntil1906. States,"saidAndersson,who startedhis re- YORKVILLE—Mayor Art Pro- mayor to build a communityfacil-
kngelaNelson made ThroughherresearchinBatavia,Nelson search on the family's roots 20 years ago. chaska hashinted atseveral immi- ity."Hesaid the pair"explored the
discovered that a distant cousin was work- Andersson said his research began be- nent options for a new seniors idea,"but he has no specific prop-
scouring mily re- ingonthe familygenealogyinSweden. cause he was intrigued to learn if there was
center here.erty in mind.
family's Swedish an- Nelson sa d Gustafson Research volun- any family connection to a 1660-70 war be- I had one developer say,'What Oliver is redeveloping the cur-
well as discovering teer Marilyn Wenberg was friends with a tween Sweden and Denmark.Andersson if we build City Hall for you,'"Pro- rent Countryside Center mall,and
ne,Nelson isnowful- family member living in North Aurora she
said today approximately 300 relatives live chaska told the City Council last helping pay to relocate the Senior
Iesbypublishingthe didn't know in Sweden,andanother500re]ativeslivein
week. ServicesAssociatestoanotherlo-
Nelson said the researcher also had a let- Long-term development plans cation.Later this month,the City10-page book written the U.S.
terfromher cousin in Sweden,written to the call for a new City Hall to belocat- Council will vote on whether to
family member living inNorthAurora: Nelson said all of their ancestors that ed downtown.Prochaska said a move the non-profit into Beecher.knowing very little She looked at my research one day and
caetothe U.S.settled inBatavia.T'hefirst new government center would free Another option Prochaska float-
came from in Swe-
recognzed(afamlaznameofadescendant
to.arrivewasher great-greatgrandmother's up the existing City Hall for senior ed was purchasing the post officedhewasgoingtoputthatwasdeceased)and thought maybe we
sister. use.building at 201 W.Hydraulic St.atbody,"Nelson said. nererelated,"Nelson said."Wecheckedthe eycame hereforabetter life,"Nelson His comments were in response "disposable property"rates when
wasdiagnosed with birth and death dates ofthe nameandfound said."It tookfourweeksbyboattogettothe to some aldermen's concern that the new facility opens next year onkedhisdaughtertoout(the deceased descendantwasinfactthe United States.SupposedlyBatavia was alot moving local senior programs into East Countryside Parkway.Down-
ted.Nelson died in same person)." like(their homeland)" the Beecher Community Center town plans call for aseniors center
Thefustcorrespondencewithherdistant Nelson said the book details information would cost Yorkville momentum to in that general area.
sefinishhisproject," cousinwasthrough e-mail.Aftersixmonths on hundreds of familymembers,from their build a new seniors or community Alderman JoeBescosaidheop-'
e,I said yes.At that of correspondence,Nelsonsaidshedecided place of birth to stories of their lives.The building, posed a Beecher move because it
anything.(Myfam- last sununertospend amonthw thhercous- book will. ll be printed in English,and on the Prochaska supports the move, did not provide sufficient motiva-
interestme:' in andhisfam ly nSweden,mak ngherthe backside page n Swed sh. and said the issue"won't sit stag- tion to secure anewbuilding in the
atherhadbeenwork- first relative since 1927 to visit the family's. `"It's the history,names and dates,butts nant on a shelf." future.
as long as she could birthplace.more than that—it's sharing.memories He mentioned several possibili- With the mayor and half the al-
With Nelson's research in the United about everybody and their stories,"Nelson', 'ties for.anew senior facility. dermen up for re-election in 2007,
otransferallofher States andthe research ofcousinSven-Arne said.In a previous meeting,Prochas- Bescoworried,"What-if(a future
id information to her Andersson in Sweden,the two were able to "My dad wanted to finish thefamilyiree. ka alluded to"at least two groups" council)didn't pursue a senior cen-
complete the family's story.Together they Obviously,it's neverfinished,butit'stogeth- that had approached him about a ter?"
esaid.'Therewere researched archives in church records,li- er.Ithink hewould bevery happy with the public-private partnership to build "It's nothing against the se-
ndinformationfrom braries and castles. outcome." a seniors or community center. niors,"he said.
ERA
Economics Research Associates
Final Report
Real Estate Impact Review of Parks
and Recreation
Submitted to:
Illinois Association of Park Districts
Submitted by:
Economics Research Associates
March 25,2005
ERA Project Number: 15543
20 E. Jackson Boulevard Suite 1200
Chicago IL 60604
312.427.3855 FAX 312.427.3660 www.econres.com
Los Angeles San Francisco San Diego New York
Chicago Washington DC London
ERA
Table of Contents
Executive Summary 1
Real Estate Impact 2
Greenbelts and Boulevards 2
Neighborhood Parks 2
Community Parks 5
State and National Parks 6
Golf Courses as Open Space 6
General Park Effects 6
Implications 7
References 8
General Limiting Conditions 9
Economics Research Associates
ERA
Executive Summary
Economics Research Associates (ERA) was engaged by the Illinois Association of Park Districts (IAPD)
to highlight current research literature relating to the real estate impacts generated by proximity to parks
and recreation in Illinois.
The literature review found that neighborhood and community parks have a potentially positive impact on
surrounding residential communities. Based on studies reviewed by ERA, the following benchmarks
were noted:
Neighborhood parks can provide up to a 20% increase in housing values for those homes facing
the park. Benefits from a neighborhood park can extend to approximately 600 feet, with houses
nearer to the park receiving the majority of the benefit.
Community parks may provide benefits up to 33% of the residential real estate value. Homes
within 1,000 feet of a large community park may receive a 9% increase in home value. Positive
externalities of a community park may extend up to 2,000 feet.
ERA's approach also looked at value enhancements generated by other park/open space formats,
including greenways,which are noted in the body of this report.
Economics Research Associates Page 1
ERA
Real Estate Impact
While parks are generally accepted as beneficial, it can be challenging for communities to determine the
specific economic and fiscal benefits generated by parks and recreational facilities and open space. Parks
can affect a community's financial well being, environmental quality, social atmosphere, and health; as
well,on-going maintenance requirements generate costs to be covered.
For the purpose of this analysis, literature on how parks affect real estate values will be reviewed. From
these papers, ERA will draw general conclusions on the economic effects of parks on residential real
estate. Economic literature has widely defined parks and open space, because of the variety of
classifications it is appropriate to divide the research into types of open space. A few of the studies have
not specifically defined open space and therefore have been discussed in the general section.
Greenbelts and Boulevards
Greenbelts and Boulevards are long narrow green spaces provided to enhance the natural beauty of an
area. Many greenbelts were created from former railroad lines that had fallen into disrepair. Park
planners took these difficult spaces and created useable space that frequently includes hiking or biking
paths. An older concept is the green areas that surround large streets leading to the name parkway or
boulevard. As with all forms of parks, communities want the benefits to outweigh the cost of building
and maintaining park land. In response, scholars have studied the effect of greenbelts with numerous
analysis techniques. Many areas have taken a simple survey approach to determine the value of a
greenbelt to nearby home owners. Unfortunately this analytical method does not provide clear and
quantifiable benefits. The following studies used statistical analysis of real estate appraisal and sales
values to provide a quantifiable benefit.
Greg Lindsey, Seth Payton, and Ray Irvin, with the Center for Urban Policy and Environment at
Indiana University, are doing current work on the impact on land values based on proximity to green
ways in the Indianapolis market. Their research, not yet finalized, highlights a complicated relationship
between land value and proximity to greenways. Their research, based on MLS real estate sales data
analyzed in a GIS format, points to a number of initial conclusions. Research suggests that proximity can
generate a premium of 11% in value over the average price for homes across Indianapolis.
John Nolen found in 1913 a 31% premium for houses in Kansas City along the boulevard and 16%
average premium for the neighborhood surrounding Cambridge field. Nolen used his information to
determine the impact of parks on tax rolls.
Correll Lillydahl and Singell found that when compared to houses 1,300 feet away from a greenbelt in
Boulder, those houses that are adjacent to the greenbelt experience a 25% premium. Homes next to the
greenbelt have market values that are 32% higher than similar properties 3,200 feet away. The same
study found that housing prices(in 1978 dollars)declined by an average of$4.20 for each foot of distance
from a greenbelt up to 3,200 feet.
Neighborhood Parks
Moorehouse and Smith 1993—This team studied rowhouses in 19th century Boston. The advantage of
this study is the homes were remarkably similar allowing the team to use econometric methods to
determine the effects of location and architecture on property values. Homes abutting Victorian parks sold
for 11.5%premium,while houses surrounding federal style parks experienced 59%premiums. While this
Economics Research Associates Page 2
ERA
study does show that neighborhood parks affected property values historically, it does not provide a good
guideline on how much contemporary values are enhanced.
John Weicher and Robert H. Zerbst in 1973 conducted a study on the externalities created by
neighborhood parks. They hypothesized that if there are a fixed number of parks in and area and people
value parks then there will be an indication of the value of the park visible in the price differences for'
homes. Their research found a 7 to 23%premium for houses facing a neighborhood park when compared
to similar houses one block from the park. Homes that back up on the park have a similar value as those
one block from the park. This indicates that distance is not the sole factor in the value of a park.
Orientation of homes around the park is crucial in valuing properties. This finding has been replicated in
Miller's later work on Dallas suburbs.
Andrew Miller's regression analysis focused on single-family homes in a suburban environment in a
warm climate. Therefore the results of his analysis will best pertain to areas with similar characteristics.
Homes that were immediately adjacent to parks had a 22%price premium over homes that are 2600 feet
away from a park. The majority of the park premium, about 75%, is found within a travel distance of 600
feet to the park.
Impact of Proximity to Park
s
E 20%
E 15%
a.
imid 10°,6
VV
b 5°6
0%
O
pQ Q] 8 8 N o 8 S $ $
n
O
o
c`.1 fV N
Travel Distance to Park, in feet
He also found that large parks are more valuable to residents than small parks, but it is a less important
variable than proximity in his findings. Homes on small lots value parks more in the form of premiums
than homes on larger lots.
Economics Research Associates Page 3
ERA
Impact of lot size on park preferences
a 15%
is
10% I ....SrmIIut SQ percent of
A.loa
u5% °c+s.Largest SD percent of
0%
A
I'Tr r1 I s l
O
rt
O to O uO LA O n
enLA
r' N r4
flus.3.12
Distance from park
Small lot prices also reflect a value for proximity to parks that is stronger than the homes on large lots.
Parks bordered by roads provide a higher premium to nearby real estate than those bordered by private
homes.
Value of park acreage for lots of different size
T-statistics for each quartile)
0.100
0.080
0.060 4.637
c 0.040 6.35
e 0.020
5.241
U 0.000 1.541
0.020)
2 3 4
Quartile of lot size
Crompton wrote a good overview on the role of parks in real estate values as found by researchers. He
concludes that residential properties near parks regularly attain higher property values than similar
residential units that are not within the park's vicinity. From this information, scholars conclude that
neighborhoods with parks yield high property tax income for the community than similar neighborhoods
without the benefit of parkland. Crompton found many studies suggest that the gain in property tax for
the community will pay for the costs associated with building and maintaining the park. This concept has
be name the "proximate principle" and was first suggested and empirically verified by Frederick
Olmstead, an early researcher on parks,about Central Park in New York.
A resurgence of research in the 1960s led to 20 out of 25 studies showing a positive net economic impact
of parks. Several of the studies looked at the impact of property value of parks with different types of
uses. These studies found that the noise, congestion, and other externalities related to active recreation
park reduces but does not eliminate the positive effect on property values by neighborhood parks. Parks
with a passive recreation focus seem to provide the highest positive effect on property values.
Economics Research Associates Page 4
ERA
There are some instances where studies found that parks did not have a positive impact on property
values. These instances include poorly maintained parks, parks that are not easily visible from the street
and therefore become a haven for undesirable activity, and when parks reduce the privacy of nearby
residences. While these studies found the effects to be primarily positive, quantifying the positive
influence of parks hinges on a wide variety of variables.
Crompton summarizes his findings as"a positive impact of 20% on property values abutting or fronting a
passive park area is a reasonable starting point guideline. If the park is large (say over 25 acres) well
maintained, attractive, and its use is mainly passive,then this figure is likely to be low. If it is small and
embraces some active use, then this guideline is likely to be high. If it is a heavily used park
incorporating such recreation facilities as athletic fields or a swimming pool then the proximate value
increment may be minimal on abutting properties but may reach 10% on properties two or three blocks
away." While quantifying the economic impact is useful, for successful application a general guideline
for the distance over which the proximate impact of parkland extends. Evidence suggests that " it is
likely to have substantial impact up to 500 feet".
Bolitzer and Netusil focused on Portland, Oregon real estate values near open space. They estimate that
homes located within 1,500 feet of a public park sell for $2,262 (in 1990 dollars) more than homes
located more than 1,500 feet from any open space
An earlier study than the previously mentioned, conducted by More, Stevens, and Allen, of property
surrounding four parks in Worcester,Massachusetts, demonstrated a similar trend. This identified houses
within 20 feet of a park selling at $2,675 (in 1982 dollars)more than a similar house located 2,000 feet or
more away.
Community Parks
Thomas Hammer, Robert Coughlin, and Edward T. Horn in 1974 studied property values in a
Philadelphia neighborhood. This study focused on the 1,300-acre Pennypack Park. Approximately a third
of the property value was attributed to proximity to the park when the plot was located within 40 feet of
the park. With increased distance the percentage of property value affected by park proximity was
reduced. Residences 1,000 feet from the park experience 9%increase in value. At 2,500 feet it is further
reduces to 4.5%of property value.
Andrew Miller discussed a wide range of parks and externalities. Community parks (20 to 35 acres), or
those designed to serve the area of 3 to 5 neighborhood parks (10 to 15 acres) combined, can create
negative externalities including traffic, delinquency, and noise. Therefore to protect nearby residential
real estate values, community parks should be buffered. The park does provide amenities that are
valuable to those within the service radius and therefore can provide an increase in market value if
negative externalities are dealt with effectively. Those homes not immediately surrounding the park but
still within walking distance can still receive positive benefit.
Larger recreational parks are best suited for large neighborhoods. Large neighborhoods can support the
costs of a large park and have sufficient demand for the facility. Sufficient demand is important because
it limits the number of people coming from outside the neighborhood to use the park, which will
positively affect values.
Crompton found the case of community sized parks positive externalities are likely to extend out to 2000
feet. While it is suggested that parks have a larger catchment area than 2000 feet, it becomes difficult to
quantify positive effects because of the additional variables involved at farther distances.
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State and National Parks
Crompton in his overview of park studies found that the benefits of parks are not limited to smaller
neighborhood and community parks. Several studies in the 1960s were groundbreaking because the
changed the understanding of large national and state parks. Previously, large state and national parks
were thought to decrease the property tax base of surrounding communities. These studies showed that
even rural parks have a positive economic impact.
Golf Courses as Open Space
Andrew Miller notes an interesting comparison to parks and real estate is the golf course community
phenomenon. People that live near golf courses generally pay 25% more than those living in a similar
home not abutting a golf course. This is particularly interesting because 80% of the people living in golf
course communities do not participate in the sport. This indicates that people value the open space
provided by a golf course. It may also reveal a preference to open space that is restricted to use during
specific hours to a regimented activity. The perceived variability in uses of a park could actually reduce
the property value boost of being near open space.
Bolitzer and Netusil performed an economic analysis of homes in the Portland area that are near forms
of open space. Their study estimates the effect for homes within 1,500 feet of a golf course at $3,400
1990 dollars).
General Park Effects
Waddell Berry and Hoch 1993 - Their study focused on parks within each census tract. Each percent of
the land within the census tract that is reserved for parks increased home values by 0.1%.
Crompton argues in a study commissioned by the National Recreation and Park Association that there
are two basic ways to measure the economic value of a park. First, one can observe the impact on value
of property surrounding the park. Second, there are economic benefits from visitors and businesses that
create economic activity in the vicinity because of the park. The total economic impact of these two
measures will be the minimum impact. For our purposes today we are interested in the impact on
property values primarily, but it is valuable to keep in mind the other possible economic benefits of the
park. Crompton tries to reach generalized conclusions from a wide range of earlier research.
Conventional wisdom that open space creates high opportunity costs in the form of potential property
taxes from the undeveloped land has recently be exposed to challenge. Local groups have used impact
analysis to determine the "public costs associated with new residential development exceed the public
revenues that accrue from it. This is because people who reside in developments require services. In
contrast, natural parks and open space require few public services—no roads, no schools, no sewage, no
solid waste disposal, no water, and minimal fire and police protection." For benchmarking purposes it
generally costs 1.15 million in services for every 1 million received in property taxes. This suggests a
focus on parks rather than residential development could actually save communities money.
Noelwah Netusil and Margot Lutzenhiser studied 193 open spaces in the Portland area that ranged
from .2 to 567.8 acres. Their definition of open spaces included parks, cemeteries, and golf courses. As a
group these open spaces have a significant positive impact on residences within 1,500 feet. Those parks
that retained 50% or more natural vegetation led to the highest values for surrounding homes. The
positive effects of natural vegetation parks are limited,because residential values are maximized when the
natural parks covers several acres.
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Andrew Miller discusses the historical and current economic issues surrounding parks. Most of his
research centered on parks in suburban cities of North Texas. He concludes that suburban parks,
especially those created by private developers have lower population density in the capture area and
therefore maintenance costs are spread across fewer households. This, in addition to the more open
nature of suburban communities, explains why it is more difficult to fund parks in the suburban setting
than in urban areas.
New homes in suburban areas with low land values will initially have high depreciation of the physical
structure. Countering this decline is the slow increase in the value of the landscape. As trees and grass
mature the value of the property will increase. The value of the landscape asset is undervalued by the
developer frequently because the exact future benefits are difficult to measure or convey to the buyer and
therefore have little effect on the sale price of a new home. A few developers have overcome this hurdle
by holding lots for future sale (once landscape has matured). Unfortunately this strategy is difficult
unless land values are very low and thus is usually applied in semi-rural developments.
Early research on the cost structure of parks created guidelines for the size of parks. Unfortunately, these
guidelines only address park acreage rather than considering the quality of the park. Economic theory
suggests that the first acre of parkland is most valuable to the surrounding residences and each additional
acre creates a smaller positive return than the previous acre.
The value of a park hinges on whether the park is safe, a"defensible park" according to theorists, and on
whether parents must accompany children to the park. Those parks that do not require parental
supervision, because they are easily observed by neighbors and do not require parental accompaniment
will have the highest positive effect on residential areas. In areas well served by schools, the value of
additional parks is limited because the schools provide playgrounds, parking, and grass fields for
children's recreation needs.
Implications
Neighborhood parks have a potentially positive impact on surrounding residential communities. Ideally,
a neighborhood park can provide up to a 20%increase in housing values for those homes facing the park.
This 20% figure is highly dependent on factors including the park visibility, park safety and maintenance,
the extent of vehicular access, orientation of houses, park recreation type, and park size. Benefits from a
neighborhood park can extend to approximately 600 feet, with houses nearer to the park receiving the
majority of the benefit.
Community Parks also provide valuable benefits to the residential property. Those houses immediately
adjacent to the park experience the negative externalities of traffic, noise, and other nuisances. Therefore
the benefits to the community park are actually maximized for those within walking distance of the park,
but not adjacent to the park or subject to the nuisance created by active recreation. A passive recreation
style community park may provide benefits up to 33% of the residential real estate value. Homes within
1000 feet of a large community park may receive a 9%increase in home value. Positive externalities of a
community park may extend up to 2000 feet. Notably, large community parks should be placed in larger
neighborhoods that can absorb the recreation supplied by the park or negative externalities may lessen the
positive economic impact of the park.
The economic effect of a park has significant variance because of the variation in parks and consumer
tastes. While an ideal park may produce large increases in real estate value, a park that is poorly suited to
a community's needs and/or poorly maintained will not produce a large positive effect. Specific study on
local recreation needs and externalities in neighborhoods would be required to properly evaluate the
economic effect of any park system.
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References
Correll Lillydahl and Singell "The Effects of Greenbelts on Residential Property Values: Some Findings
on the Political Economy of Open Space"Land Economics 1978
Crompton, John L. " Impact of Parks and Open Space on Property Values and the Property Tax Base" A
study commissioned by the National Recreation and Park Association 2001
B. Bolitzer and N.R.Netusil. 2000. The Impact of Open Spaces on Property Values in Portland, Oregon
Journal of Environmental Management, 59:185-193.
Hammer, Thomas R., Robert E.Coughlin, and Edward T. Horn IV, "Research Report: The Effect of a
Large Park on Real Estate Value."Journal of the American Institute of Planners 1974
Lindsey, Greg, Seth Payton, and Ray Irvin. "Public Choices and Property Values, Evidence from
Greenways in Indianapolis". Center for Urban Policy and Environment, Indiana University, December
2003
Lutzenhiser, Margot and Noelwah Netusil. "The Effect of Open Space Type and Proximity on a Home's
Sale Price:Portland,Oregon." Contemporary Economic Policy, Vol 19 (2001),p.291-298.
Miller, Andrew "Valuing Open Space: Land Economics and Neighborhood Parks" Thesis. MIT Real
Estate Development 2001
More, Thomas A., Thomas Stevens and P. Geoffrey Allen. August 1982. "The Economics of Urban
Parks."Parks and Recreation.
Moorhouse, John C. and Margaret Supplee Smith. "The Market for Residential Architecture: 19th
Century Row Houses in Boston's South End."Journal of Urban Economics,Vol. 35 (1995),p.267-277
Nolen, John. "Some Examples of the Influence of Public Parks in Increasing City Land Values"
Landscape Architecture, Vol. 3,No. 4 (1913),p.166-175.
Waddell, Paul, Brian J.L. Berry, and Irving Hoch. " Residential Property Values in a Multinodal Urban
Area: New Evidence of the Implicit Price of Location" Journal of Real Estate Finance and Economics"
Vol. 7 1993 p. 117-141
Weicher, John C. and Robert H. Zerbst "The Externalities of Neighborhood Parks: An Empirical
Investigation."Land Economics February 1973
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