With No Cash to Back Budget, Gordon Park Renovation Tabled

A $2.2 million budget for renovations of Gordon Park was tabled by Park District of La Grange commissioners on Aug. 13, after a nearly two-hour debate on whether approving the funds meant the Park District would be locked into spending that amount in full.

The money—to be used for additions including a splash pad, football field, walking path, skate park, community performance area and a butterfly park to the 17-acre public green space at the end of Locust Avenue—is to be addressed again at the board's next meeting.

Commissioner Bob Ashby—one of the five commissioners, who are elected by residents to four-year terms—said he could not support the $2.2 million proposal when the Park District does not have enough free capital to use on the project.

Approving the budget would not hold the Park District to spending that entire number, said Dean Bissias, executive director of the Park District.

"When the bids for the project come in, many of them will be for less than the budget we approve," he said.

The Board could meet the monetary obligation, contingent on some grant proposals, he said.

"It will stretch some funds, no doubt," he said.

Commissioner Mary Ellen Penicook and Board President Tim Kelpsas agreed with Bissias; Commissioner Brad Belcaster joined Ashby in dissent.

But after conferring with project developers Jeffrey Braun and David Olson, the Board opted to wait on approving a figure until hard numbers could be obtained via bids, which are to go out within the next few weeks.

The Park District had expected to have renovation funds—proceeds from the planned sale of 2.82 acres of land adjacent to Gordon Park. Residents supported a referendum approving of the proposed sale.

Earlier this year, LaGrange Friends of the Park, represented by attorney Thomas Paul Beyer, formally objected to the transfer and sale of a portion of the acreage. This came after two previous lawsuits by an individual that contested the legality of the sale and transfer.

Kelpsas said he had hoped the litigation would be settled by the Aug. 12 meeting. However, the Park District remains in court with LaGrange Friends of the Park.

"Don't think we don't want to do this project, we really do. We just need to find the money," Kelpsas said during the meeting.

Former Park District commissioner and member of LaGrange Friends of the Park Kevin Shields, present at the Board's Aug. 12 meeting, said he opposes the commissioners' proposed sale of the land parcel.

Gordon Park currently includes handball courts, basketball courts, softball fields and soccer fields, among other facilities.

He said there are "perfectly good trees" the planned sale of the Gordon Park parcel of land would destroy. He pointed out the Park District's brochure highlights the benefit of trees.

The mission statement of the Park District, according to its Web site, is, "To provide quality recreation programs, facilities, and parks that enhance the health, happiness and quality of life of Park District residents."

Proponents of the renovations cited a strategic planning survey conducted by Public Research Group, which found 27 percent of La Grange residents polled by telephone and mail at random chose "Renovate Gordon Park" as a priority for the Park District's upcoming capital project options. It was second to "Nothing," which received 43 percent.

The remaining three priorities chosen by those surveyed were "Expand the Recreation Center," at 27 percent, and 15 percent each to "Renovate Denning Park" and "Renovate Sedgwick Park."

A PDF of the results of the entire survey is available to download near the photos attached to this article.