PARTNERSHIPS
PARK DISTRICTS, FOREST PRESERVES AND RECREATION DEPARTMENTS
WORKING TOGETHER WITH CIVIC AND BUSINESS LEADERS TO BUILD OUR COMMUNITIES

Gurnee Gussies Up for a
Year 2000 Festival

The Gurnee Park District and the Village of Gurnee sign a joint agreement for
many park improvements by Gurnee Days 2000 and years thereafter

BY CHUCK BALLING, CLP, AND BRAD BURKE

"This is a landmark decision we are about to come to. We could be a leader in the country and the state." -Robert Amaden, Village of Gurnee Trustee

The Village of Gurnee and the Gurnee Park District entered into a joint agreement in January of 1999 that will allow the two taxing bodies to work together to improve the open space and recreational needs of the community over the next five years. The agreement creates a partnership with a primary objective of improving Gurnee's Village Center. The joint agreement sets August 2000 Gurnee Days festivities as the target completion date for a variety of improvements to both village and park district properties located in the Village Center.

As partners, the village and park district outlined several beautification projects to0 be achieved for Gurnee residents by August 2000. One of the village's primary responsibilities will be to dedicate $200,000 annually over a five-year period to fund improvements. The Gurnee Park District will provide nearly $1.3 million dollars in funds generated by financing annual rollover bonds to further improve parks throughout the community.

Ultimately, this cooperative effort will improve landscaping and install benches and a gazebo at Petersen Park, which is owned by the village. For two parks owned by the park district, the agreement calls for improved parking lots and adding a flower garden at Viking Park and construct an entrance drive and soccer field parking lot at Hunt Club Park.

Other proposed improvements to various parks include new or replacement playground equipment, pathways and drainage improvements and addition of a basketball court. The village and park district will design and construct a storm water detention facility at the north end of Viking Park to service the needs of both local governments.

In addition to these improvements, the proposal outlines the park district's responsibility in maintaining the village-owned Petersen Park and Mother Rudd site for the next five years. The agreement requires the park district to officially transfer ownership of Gurnee's five-acre Public Works Department site to the village upon approval of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the National Park Service. This site is currently subject to a 99-year lease by the village from the park district. The land transfer will occur when the village purchases land adjacent to an existing neighborhood park and deeds it to the park district.

Members of a joint Village of Gurnee and Gurnee Park District committee, formed in 1988, developed the agreement. The committee's discussions focused on building a partnership between the village and park district that would be the foundation of a cooperative effort to improve the quality of life for all Gurnee residents.

Why the Partnership Works

• There was a commitment by both parties to find projects of mutual interest that benefited the community.

• The two agencies have a long history of cooperation.

• Both the village and the park district are committed to a working relationship that will enhance recreational opportunities and beaurification of parks along with preserving and improving open space and parks in the village.

• People take a great deal of pride in Gurnee parks and this agreement was perfect riming for the new millennium.

CHUCK BALLING, CLP
is the director of the Gurnee Park District.

BRAD BURKE
is the public information officer for the Village of Gurnee.

10 / Illinois Parks and Recreation