Online Staff Report

Rockford Park District recently released its annual report of achievements and progress made during 2011 with regard to land for recreational use for citizens.

According to Park District Executive Director Tim Dimke, “2011 continued our progress in using property tax resources to maintain what we have, and any new growth or development would be funded primarily through grants and donations.”

The report also includes information about repair and replacement of existing assets, with 90 percent of capital projects completed during 2011, and 85.6 percent of capital funding going toward repair and replacement projects during 2011, which exceeded the Park District Board of Commissioners’ policy of a minimum of 80 percent allocated for repair and replacement.

“Our citizens have told us that they want us to take care of what already exists, and to keep parks and facilities in good condition; we continue to put major resources towards reducing deferred maintenance, but the reality is that the capital budget is not adequate to meet a majority of the district’s deferred repair and replacement needs,” Dimke said. “We continue to put repair and replacement projects off that can possibly wait yet another year.”

The district allocated $3,340,688 in the bond issue for capital repair and replacement projects.

During 2011, some major capital repair and replacement projects included the following:

­• 2011 turf equipment purchase

­• 2011 asphalt replacement projects

­• Levings Park playground renovation

­• Loves Park playground

­• Midway Village Museum Path loop pedestrian bridge replacement

­• Riverby Park pedestrian bridge replacement

­• Sinnissippi Lagoon renovation

­• Snowmobile trail groomer and tractor purchase (Illinois Department of Natural Resources grant)

Highlights of the report demonstrating achievements through grants and donations included the following:

• Nicholas Conservatory Phase I completed

• Nicholas Conservatory Phase II development is 50 percent complete

• Sinnissippi Lagoon restoration

• Alpine Hills Golf Course was donated to Rockford Park District Foundation; development contingent on grants

• Aldeen Golf Club patio addition and interior renovations

• Olson Swedish Heritage Park construction completed

Highlights of accessible projects completed in 2011 included the following:

­• Installed accessible path at Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum to the suspension bridge

­• Created accessible paths at Dahlquist Park to connect the parking lot to the basketball and tennis courts

­• Renovated the fire pit area near Linda K. White Center at Aldeen Park

­• Installed automated doors in the Webbs Norman Center

­• Installed accessible drinking fountains at four locations.

The 13-page report is available through the director’s team center by calling (815) 987-8855, and can be found on the district’s website, www.rockfordparkdistrict.org/reports ^[1].

Posted Feb. 22, 2012