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Friends of the Park eye Roos
building
Forest Park Park District places referendum on ballot to expand
services.
MARY O’CONNOR
Forest Park, Reporter
January 7, 2010
FOREST PARK | Friends of the Park 2010 are urging voters to help in
the effort to expand the Park Districts services to residents and the
village.
Friends of the Park are holding a pancake fundraiser to raise money
and awareness that will facilitates the group in their plan to support the
Park District’s Referendum to purchase the Roos building. The goal of
the Park District is to create a team of residents, commissioners and
staff to develop a “regional park” that stays within the means of the
community and services all ages.
The group has been eyeing the property, one of the only pieces of land
available in Forest Park, to accommodate the Park District expansion.
Roos is a landmark building located at the corner of Harrison Street and
Circle Avenue and sits directly to the east of the Park’s location. With
the passing of the referendum the Park District will buy the building and
make a multi-purpose facility for people of all ages.
At present, the blighted property has been vacant for more than five
years. There has been dumping on the property, “tagging” and
vandalism to the inside and outside of the building, Rachel Entler,
Friends of the Park member, said. The group, established a couple of
years ago, “reinstated” in the fall of 2009 to place the referendum on
the ballot, Entler said.
“With the input of residents of the village, the Park District plans to turn
the property and building into a multi-use facility that serves people of
all ages. These plans are an initial proposal for use of the space”
“I would like to see the property used,” Entler added. “The proximity to
the park district is ideal. I grew up in Forest Park and my kids take
advantage of the Park District. It’s a rare and good opportunity for the
Park District to expand their services to the village and the residents of
Forest Park.”
Entler, whose husband is a Park District Commissioner, says the
initiative has been smooth going. “I haven’t heard anyone say I don’t
want to have a better Park District.” “If anyone is not for this it is
because they don’t want an increase in taxes.”
The 2009 tax levy increase for the Roos purchase and development is
based on the home owner’s property tax value and will be no more than
$12 per every $100,000 of the fair market value of their home. The
referendums overall tax implication is approximately 1.5 percent
increase on residents tax bills.
According to the groups proposed plan, the land acquisition will
dramatically increase the opportunity for outdoor recreation in the
village. “We currently have 101 acres of open space per 1,000
residents, whereas the national standard is 6.5-10 acres per 1,000
residents,” Entler said.
Proposed for the outdoor area are a playground for children aged 2-6,
garden plots, amphitheater for outdoor concerts and performances,
gazebo and picnic area, plaza with fountain and benches and parking
areas for cyclists and CTA riders in addition to walking paths.
Proposed uses of the space include a teen program center, senior
meeting area, classrooms, fitness room, before and after school care
facility, party room and headquarters for the West Suburban Special
Recreations Association.
The fundraiser will take place in Forest Park at Harrison Street Café
Saturday, Jan. 9 beginning at 8am. Cost for the breakfast is $7 for
adults and $4.50 for children. Those unable to attend can contribute
donations to Friends of the Park, 7501 W. Harrison, Forest Park IL
60130.
The next informational meeting will be January 21, 2010 in the
Administration Building of the Park District. For more information please
check the group’s website http://friendsofthepark2010.org and also join
the Facebook group for Friends of the Park.
building
Forest Park Park District places referendum on ballot to expand
services.
MARY O’CONNOR
Forest Park, Reporter
January 7, 2010
FOREST PARK | Friends of the Park 2010 are urging voters to help in
the effort to expand the Park Districts services to residents and the
village.
Friends of the Park are holding a pancake fundraiser to raise money
and awareness that will facilitates the group in their plan to support the
Park District’s Referendum to purchase the Roos building. The goal of
the Park District is to create a team of residents, commissioners and
staff to develop a “regional park” that stays within the means of the
community and services all ages.
The group has been eyeing the property, one of the only pieces of land
available in Forest Park, to accommodate the Park District expansion.
Roos is a landmark building located at the corner of Harrison Street and
Circle Avenue and sits directly to the east of the Park’s location. With
the passing of the referendum the Park District will buy the building and
make a multi-purpose facility for people of all ages.
At present, the blighted property has been vacant for more than five
years. There has been dumping on the property, “tagging” and
vandalism to the inside and outside of the building, Rachel Entler,
Friends of the Park member, said. The group, established a couple of
years ago, “reinstated” in the fall of 2009 to place the referendum on
the ballot, Entler said.
“With the input of residents of the village, the Park District plans to turn
the property and building into a multi-use facility that serves people of
all ages. These plans are an initial proposal for use of the space”
“I would like to see the property used,” Entler added. “The proximity to
the park district is ideal. I grew up in Forest Park and my kids take
advantage of the Park District. It’s a rare and good opportunity for the
Park District to expand their services to the village and the residents of
Forest Park.”
Entler, whose husband is a Park District Commissioner, says the
initiative has been smooth going. “I haven’t heard anyone say I don’t
want to have a better Park District.” “If anyone is not for this it is
because they don’t want an increase in taxes.”
The 2009 tax levy increase for the Roos purchase and development is
based on the home owner’s property tax value and will be no more than
$12 per every $100,000 of the fair market value of their home. The
referendums overall tax implication is approximately 1.5 percent
increase on residents tax bills.
According to the groups proposed plan, the land acquisition will
dramatically increase the opportunity for outdoor recreation in the
village. “We currently have 101 acres of open space per 1,000
residents, whereas the national standard is 6.5-10 acres per 1,000
residents,” Entler said.
Proposed for the outdoor area are a playground for children aged 2-6,
garden plots, amphitheater for outdoor concerts and performances,
gazebo and picnic area, plaza with fountain and benches and parking
areas for cyclists and CTA riders in addition to walking paths.
Proposed uses of the space include a teen program center, senior
meeting area, classrooms, fitness room, before and after school care
facility, party room and headquarters for the West Suburban Special
Recreations Association.
The fundraiser will take place in Forest Park at Harrison Street Café
Saturday, Jan. 9 beginning at 8am. Cost for the breakfast is $7 for
adults and $4.50 for children. Those unable to attend can contribute
donations to Friends of the Park, 7501 W. Harrison, Forest Park IL
60130.
The next informational meeting will be January 21, 2010 in the
Administration Building of the Park District. For more information please
check the group’s website http://friendsofthepark2010.org and also join
the Facebook group for Friends of the Park.