A three-year park renovation program includes upgrading equipment, increasing open space and tearing down a damaged observation deck, according to Steve Gulden, recreation director.
Under the renovation program begun in 1996, older parks are being redesigned to meet current recreational standards of 70 percent open space and 30 percent equipment for outdoor activities and to provide accessibility for the disabled, Gulden said.
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Meadow Walk, Atchley and Jaycee Parks were upgraded in 1997, he said.
The final project for 1997 was the demolition of the overlook at O’Hara Woods.
“We want to eliminate eyesores,” Gulden said, and the “aging, rotted wood” of the overlook, into which vandals have carved obscenities, has become just that.
The overlook would be expensive to replace and the remote location is subject to vandalism, he said.
Possible uses for the area in the future include a band shell or a sledding hill, he said.
In 1998, park officials want to develop the 12.5 acres of Century Park for athletic fields and are seeking a grant to help finance the work.
In other recent business, Finance Director Mary Britton is recommending raising the coming tax levy between 8 percent and 9.75 percent “because we have such a phenomenal growth rate this year.”
The growth, which is expected to result in an assessed valuation of $216 million, will enable the village to raise more revenue without raising homeowners’ taxes.
The tax rate would remain at about $1.52 for each $100 of assessed valuation.