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With escalating land values and limited financial resources,
cooperation is the key to new acquisitions.
Recognizing the positive value of parks and open space, the
Village of Bolingbrook has adopted a land/cash donation ordinance.
This ordinance requires residential developers to donate land
or cash to both the school and park districts. Most neighborhood
parks have been acquired in this manner.
The Park District continuously works diligently with the Village,
Plan Commission, and both public and private agencies to acquire
additional open space.
Local realtors and developers point to progressive leadership,
land values, quality education and expansive recreational opportunities
as qualities that attract people to Bolingbrook. Real estate
agents are proud to distribute Park District brochures to potential
buyers.
The property taxes paid to the Park District are but a small
portion of your tax bill. These taxes are based on assessed
value of the property. The Township Assessor is responsible
for determining a value on all property within the Township.
The assessed value is one-third of the market value of the property.
Taxes paid are computed on the assessed value at the tax rate
extended by all taxing bodies.
Park districts like villages, school districts and townships
are separate municipal entities and, therefore, have different
corporate boundaries. The Bolingbrook Park District's boundaries
are similar, but not exactly the same as the Village of Bolingbrook.
The most noticeable difference is for the people who live in
the DuPage County section of Bolingbrook. These people are taxpayers
in the Woodridge Park District even though they are residents
of Bolingbrook.
The Park District is governed by a Board
of Commissioners elected by the community. Board members
do not receive any compensation and serve four-year terms. The
Park Board meets on the third Thursday of the month at the Annerino
Community Center. The public is encouraged to attend.
In order to continue to provide the wide range of activities
and recreation programs, fees are necessary.
By use of tax money alone the District could not afford to serve
all the recreational needs of the community.
Tax revenues represent only about half the District's total
budget. Much of that pays for the acquisition, development and
improvement of parks and facilities.
The participant or user generally covers the direct cost of
a program; salaries, supplies, building use, rental fees, contractual
obligation and publicity. Often this means better service, instructors,
facilities and equipment.
We also find participants appreciate and attend some activities
more when they have to pay for them. User fees are what enable
the Bolingbrook Park District to provide over 2100 programs,
fitness
centers, indoor
and outdoor aquatic parks, and a golf
course.
Unfortunately, watercraft of any kind is prohibited on ponds
and lakes in Bolingbrook. There are no docks or supervision
making boating a potential safety hazard. The Park District
has two canoe launches at the DuPage River: one north of the
parking lot at Royce Road and a second at Hidden Lakes. |
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