The New Lenox Park District has voted to ask a Joliet developer for land rather than cash.
Park director Bill McCollum said it is the first action to fall under a recent ordinance approved by Joliet allowing park districts to request contributions in new developments.
The ordinance allows the Park District to recommend a preference to city officials. McCollum said he expects a land contribution in the Thunder Ridge development of 2 to 3 acres, depending on whether flood plains are added.
Involved is a planned residential development featuring 7,770-square-foot lots. The unincorporated land east of Gougar Road and south of the Coventry Heights subdivision lies within Park District boundaries but is earmarked for annexation and residential development by Joliet.
The area falls within Joliet’s sphere of influence under the terms of a boundary agreement arrived at by Joliet and New Lenox officials last year.
Residents in the area have indicated that they preferred to receive land that could be turned into a park rather than taking cash.