Darien Park District Objects To City Portrayal
DARIEN, IL – Darien Park District officials on Monday objected to the city government’s portrayal of its offerings and finances.
They were referring to a part of the city’s recently completed long-term plan that included a consultant’s interviews with city leaders and key staff.
In those interviews, the park district was mentioned among the community’s weaknesses. The plan states, “Lack of amenities offered by Park District to families (program offerings, poor financial situation, and facilities in poor shape).”
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At Monday’s City Council meeting, the park board’s president, Ray Jablonski, and vice president, Luanne Spiros, took exception to the criticism. They said the district sent a letter to the city about the issue last week.
Upon request, the park district provided the letter Tuesday to Patch. The document detailed the district’s defense.
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About its finances, the district said it balances its budget every year and that it has a stable bond rating. That rating is “due to our strong fund balances, audit results and policies,” the district said.
The district also said it continues to cover Sportsplex’s expenses and debt with the facility’s income, with no taxes levied.
The district also disagreed that its facilities are in poor shape. It said it maintains 160 acres of parkland, with four new picnic pavilions, 15 playgrounds and multiple volleyball, basketball, tennis and pickleball courts and baseball and soccer fields. All of these are in the district’s plan for renovations or replacements.
The district listed its improvements over the last few years.
Despite the contrary assessment, the park district said its program offerings are not lacking.
In fall 2023, the district offered 172 unique programs, consisting of more than 1,900 participants. During the summer that year, 183 unique programs were on the roster, with 2,700 participants, the district said.
“The Darien Park District Board and staff have worked hard over the last 20+ years to ensure the Darien Park District is fiscally responsible and environmentally friendly, all while providing the best programs and amenities which meet and exceed the needs of our Darien residents,” the district said in the letter.
Later in Monday’s council meeting, Alderwoman Mary Sullivan said she appreciated the park district reading the plan and offering its feedback.
Over the years, the relationship between the city and the park district has suffered its share of hiccups.
But their ties seem to have improved in recent times. Just last month, Mayor Joseph Marchese issued a proclamation in honor of the district, noting its 50th anniversary.
At a City Council meeting in June, Darien officials expressed their frustration with the park district in the city’s effort to move events such as Darien Fest to the parks.
They contended the district was placing unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles in the way of an agreement.
In 2020, the park district stopped letting the Darien Chamber of Commerce hold Darien Fest at Community Park. It resulted from a dispute over damage from the previous year’s fest.
The tide had turned in August, with Darien Fest held at the district’s Westwood Park.
The city and the park district are separate public bodies, with their own elected boards.
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