Park Ridge Youth Campus Transformation Set to Begin

The space will be converted into a park by the Park Ridge Park District.

  Park Ridge Park District officials are getting to work on creating a park at the former Park Ridge Youth Campus site, the Chicago Tribune reports. Voters approved the purchase of the site during the April 9 election, allowing the Park District to buy the 11-acre site and turn it into a park. Park District Executive Director Gayle Mountcastle told the Tribune that bonds in the amount of $13.2 million will be issued first to buy the space, then they will get to work on requesting a zoning change to the property. 

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Summer Camp Guide 2013 for Niles and Morton Grove

Start planning now. There are lots of options for your kids, from day camps to overnight camps, specialty camps, sports camps, ice skating camps and more.

  With the choice and variety of summer camps available in the Niles, Morton Grove and Park Ridge area in 2013, boredom won't be an option for local children. Organizations from the YMCA, school districts and local parks and recreation departments offer dozens of camp choices focused around science, reading, sports, music and more. Whether you're looking for an all-around experience or a more focused camp, this list features a few in the area and nearby. Niles Park District offers myriad summer camps, including recreation camps, sports camps and Ice Land camps, both half-day and full-day, to fit a variety of schedules. We can't list them all, but here is a sampling. Visit the Niles Park District summer camp website to access a full list …

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Discounted Pool Pass Sales Begin Monday

Get a deal on your Park Ridge Park District pool pass starting April 1.

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Learn What Parks Referendum Would Cost You

At an afternoon and an evening meeting Wednesday, the Park Ridge Park District will tell you what it would cost if you bring the tax bill you paid in summer 2012.

  The Park Ridge Park District, which includes a portion of Niles, is sponsoring two meetings Wednesday, March 20, to explain the referendum voters will encounter on the April 9 ballot. The public information meetings will be held at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the Park Ridge Senior Center, 100 S. Western, Park Ridge.  The referendum asks voters whether they want the district to acquire the Park Ridge Youth Campus for use as a park.  Earlier: Park Ridge Parks develops plan for Youth Campus See the attached poster for instructions on how to bring a property tax bill to have the district calculate what approving the referendum would cost you.

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Park Ridge Senior Center to Keep Proceeds From Member's Estate

An ongoing dispute between the Park Ridge Park District and Senior Services, Inc. has finally been settled, the Niles Herald-Spectator reports.

  Senior Services, Inc. will have control over the funds in late Niles resident Betty Kemnitz' estate, the Niles Herald-Spectator reports.  The legal agreement was made last week by the Park Ridge Recreation and Park District Board of Commissioners. The dispute over whether the Park District or Senior Services, Inc. controlled Kemnitz' estate sparked in December of 2010 when a license agreement between the two expired. Kemnitz had left 60 percent of her estate to the Senior Center. However, Park District officials said they should control the funds because they also had ownership of approximately $300,000 of the funds in the trust, the newspaper reports. 

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Rock n' Dodge Tournament Draws Big Crowds

The sixth annual event was held at the Park Ridge Park District Community Center on Feb. 2, The Park Ridge Herald-Advocate reports.

  More than 100 kids participated in the Park Ridge Youth Commission’s Rock n’ Dodge Dodgeball tournament last weekend at the Park Ridge Park District Community Center, the Park Ridge Herald-Advocate reports. Winners of the high school and middle school brackets took on Police and fire department officials and District 64 superintendent Philip Bender, the newspaper reports. Proceeds benefitted the Maine Township Food Pantry. 

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Centennial Park Pool Layout Approved

The Park Board Commission approved the layout at a meeting last week, The Park Ridge Herald-Advocate reports.

  The Park Ridge Park District approved the new Centennial Park pool layout, the Park Ridge Herald-Advocate reports. The newspaper reports the Park Board Commission approved the layout under the condition that about two-dozen trees be planted to block the water slide from nearby homes. The $7.1 million project will replace the two approximately 60-year-old pools at the Centennial Pool complex in Centennial Park, at Touhy and Western in Park Ridge.  Related Articles:  Parks to Get New Centennial Pool Complex Breakdown of Costs for $7.1 Million Pool Complex Residents React to $7.1 Million Pool Plan

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Parks Ask For $13.2 Million To Buy Land

The park district board voted Thursday to place on the April 9 ballot a question asking voters if it should purchase 11.35 acres being vacated by the Youth Campus and develop it into a usable park. It would cause a tax increase.

  Park Ridge and some Niles voters will face a choice on the April 9 ballot: spend $13.2 million in a one-time-only chance to acquire valuable historical open space and turn it into a park, or heed the advice of those who feel the spend is too great and turn it down to avoid a tax increase. The Park Ridge Park District board voted 5-1, with one absence, at its regular monthly meeting Thursday to place a referendum question on the ballot.  Both supporters and critics of the measure have emerged. Supporters say district needs more open space to meet standards A group which favors a "yes" vote for the referendum has assembled a website, OurParksLegacy.com, to advocate for the idea.  They suggest it would enable the park district to have more …

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Parks To Get New Centennial Pool Complex

The Park Ridge Park District, which includes part of Niles, voted to approve the $7.1 million plan after holding public hearings and getting input.

  Park Ridge and Niles residents who live in the Park Ridge Park District will be getting a new pool complex. The $7.1 million project will replace the two approximately 60-year-old pools at the Centennial Pool complex in Centennial Park, at Touhy and Western in Park Ridge.  The board passed the vote on Dec. 20, according to the Journal & Topics.  The park district board gathered information and made plans for the pools throughout the summer and fall, and held public hearings in December.   Patch put together a breakdown of the costs.  Stay on top of what's happening. Like Niles-Morton Grove Patch or Park Ridge Patch on Facebook.

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Residents React to $7.1 Million Pool Plan

Some felt the Park Ridge Park District (which includes part of Niles) board should go ahead; others voiced concerns about the district's $7.1 million renovation project for Centennial Pool. It's set for a vote Dec. 20.

Nearly 100 residents packed a meeting room at the Park Ridge Park District's senior center Thursday, addressing the district's Board of Commissioners on a proposed $7.1 million pool renovation project at the Centennial Pool complex. In a second public hearing, residents expressed support and concerns, and were given the opportunity to ask the board, staff and project managers questions about the proposed renovations. Residents against losing the pool as an asset to the city A number of residents highlighted the district's facilities as draws to living in Park Ridge. Many highlighted their experiences at park district pools and supported plans to improve the complex.  “It was invigorating to hear their support,” the district’s Executive …

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