 |
Home | Search | Browse | About IPO | Staff | Links |
|
Home | Search | Browse | About IPO | Staff | Links |
|
Cooperative Efforts Create
by Intergovernmental cooperation is not a new concept, but the economy and taxpayer concerns about public spending made it an important one. It is time for municipal bodies to think creatively about ways to work together. Park districts have been at the forefront of these activities as these efforts can result in considerable cost savings for all concerned, creating a "win-win-win" situation. The opportunities for cooperation are almost unlimited and depend upon the strong working relationship among the agencies involved. Over the years, the Naperville Park District has carefully nurtured relationships with the City of Naperville, Forest Preserve District of DuPage County, two local school districts, and local service organizations. These relationships have been the key to exciting cooperative ventures and have allowed the Park District to keep pace with a rapidly growing community. Gymnasium agreements With the passage of Title IX in 1972, and with dramatic increases in population throughout the last two decades, the Park District has experienced a severe shortage of indoor recreational facilities. Knowing that it would be very expensive to build these facilities independently, and preferring to spend limited dollars on land acquisition, the Park District looked to the schools. Through the cooperative agreements with the two school districts, the Park District enlarged three elementary school multipurpose rooms into gymnasiums. The Park District funded the additional construction costs and agreed to fund the utility costs of the additional space. In return, the Park District receives priority use of the gymnasiums any time they aren't being used by the schools. Auditorium agreement When one of the local school districts recently passed a referendum to add an auditorium to one of its high schools, the Park District agreed to contribute funds to add a community room and several minor upgrades. The addition of this room will encourage community arts organizations to use the facility, and the Park District will get priority use of the auditorium when the schools are not using it. The auditorium is an important part of the Park District's cultural arts program. Tennis court agreement Another unusual example of intergovernmental cooperation involves the City's need for an underground water reservoir, and the Park District's need for tennis courts. Three years ago, the City identified the need to expand the capacity of an existing underground water storage facility, but required additional land from the adjacent neighborhood park to achieve this expansion. In return for the Park District's agreement to give land to the City for this purpose, the City agreed to design and construct the top of the underground facility in a manner that permitted six tennis courts to be constructed above it. The resulting courts cost the Park District $3,000 rather than the normal $15,000-$20,000 per court. The City saved money by not having to relocate its reservoir, and the local residents gained six new tennis courts — a win-win-win situation. Leases of land Throughout the years, the Park District has aggressively pursued the acquisition of park land through leases with diverse governing bodies. In addition to the Park District's cooperative partners mentioned earlier, the local cemetery association and a
local church has worked with the Park District on joint projects. In the Park District's agreements with the City, the Park District agrees to maintain the land in exchange for its use as a park. Because of these agreements, the Park District has been able to offer the public the beautiful DuPage River Park (268 acres), Veterans Park (12 acres), a Sportsman's Club and Garden Plots (60 acres), the Riverwalk (25 acres), and other recreational areas. Park District agreements with the school districts are somewhat different. One school district typically offers the Park District five- to 20-year leases involving land the schools currently do not need. The Park District can use the land until it is needed as a site for a new school. To date, the Park District has entered into one land lease with one school district, an agreement that involves two sites and 22 acres of land. Because the school district does not anticipate a future need for the land, it is trading the property to the Park District in exchange for construction of 12 tennis courts at one of their high schools. The Forest Preserve District has also been a strong ally in preserving and leasing land throughout a rapid period of growth. Park District agreements have resulted in the leasing of 86 acres for three of its parks. The Forest Preserve District also helped the Park District purchase a 7 acre wooded parcel on the western edge of the Riverwalk, a beautiful linear park along the river in the center of town. In addition, the Park District has joined with the Forest Preserve District and the City in a program to acquire many of the remaining parcels of land along the west branch of the DuPage River throughout Naperville. The goal is to create a continuous greenway along the river, not only to preserve this local treasure, but also to provide future recreational opportunities with a pathway. DuPage County will purchase the land. The Park District will develop and manage most of the land, and the City will patrol the area, clean up easements and demolish several buildings that are located on the property. In 1992, the Park District expects to purchase an area called Shady Nook, also along the planned greenbelt. The Will County Forest Preserve District will fund $100,000 of the purchase, and the City and Park District will share the remainder of the acquisition costs. Building leases On September 15, 1991, Park District and City officials formally dedicated the Riverwalk Community Center, an exciting new Park District facility that resulted from close intergovernmental and interagency cooperation. Formerly home to the Naperville Electric Department, the building is owned by the City. When the Electric Department decided to move into a new, larger building, the Park District Planning Department contacted the City about purchasing or leasing the old facility. As a result, the City agreed to lease the building for $10 per year for 30 years. In exchange, the Park District is responsible for funding and construction of major renovations. The Park District completed phase one of the project at a cost of $1.257 million. This involved extensive renovation of the upper level and included the creation of 13,600-square feet of program space and a 49-space parking lot. Phase two, scheduled to begin in 1993, involves renovation of the lower level and building exterior. Those changes will add another 9,000-square feet of program space to the building. Because of this cooperation, the Park District now has a facility that houses its New Horizons program for adults 55 years old and older. This program offers classes, recreation and travel, as well as a comfortable game room for playing pool and a lounge. The large Community Hall, adjoining kitchen and spacious classrooms are open to all program participants. Meetings, painting, ceramics and cooking classes are held in this facility. Ecumenical Adult Care of Naperville, a privately-sponsored program, occupies a section of the upper floor, offering day care for the elderly. DuPage Senior Citizens Council operates its hot meals program here in what it calls the "Naperville Dining Center." When phase two of the reconstruction is completed, the lower level will provide additional classroom space for preschool and youth programs. Playgrounds The youthful heart of any park district is its playgrounds. The Park District has participated in numerous cooperative playground agreements with school districts, home and school associations, fraternal organizations and homeowner groups. The Park District works closely with these groups, and provides design and construction expertise while all partners share in the actual construction costs. As a result of this cooperation, playground facilities for the community are bigger and better than what could have been provided otherwise. Water well As the Chicago suburbs waited for the arrival of Lake Michigan water to reach their communities, the City experienced frequent water shortages and needed to build a new well. In an unusual cooperative agreement, the Park District allowed the City to build a well and pumping station on park property. In return, the City agreed to include public restrooms in that building and turn the building over to the Park District when Lake Michigan water reaches Naperville, because the City will not need the building when that happens. This agreement has saved the Park District approximately $100,000 in construction costs, has created a future storage building for Park District equipment, and has provided the public with restroom facilities. It seems clear to leaders of the community that intergovernmental cooperation is an exciting and necessary goal. While individuals nurture the ties throughout the year, the groups meet annually at an Intergovernmental Dinner to survey the past and outline the future. The team's efforts provide a clear message to the community that their tax dollars are being wisely spent. It truly is a win-win-win opportunity. About the Authors Jini Clare is Director of Communications for the Naperville Park District. Glenn Kost is the Director of Planning for the Park District. He has played a major role in drafting intergovernmental agreements for the Park District during the past 10 years. EDITOR'S NOTE: NAPERVILLE PARK DISTRICT IS TO BE CONGRATULATED FOR SETTING AN OUTSTANDING EXAMPLE OF WHAT CAN BE ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH COOPERATION BY PUBLIC AGENCIES THROUGHOUT ILLINOIS.
|
|
|