Over many years, this page has been enthusiastic in its support of the Park District of Oak Park board. We start from a period a decade back when this board was deeply politicized and hopelessly divided in ways that now seem comical — this being, after all, just the park district of a medium-sized suburb. There was a point when the distrust was so pervasive and the split board so fractured, it could not even appoint a replacement for a colleague who had resigned, so worried were the factions that one side would gain an advantage.
A key election brought to the board a roster of folks who were easy-going, focused on common sense, determined to be inclusive, yet still passionately ambitious about improving a decaying park system. We have seen a decade of progress. We have seen a community rally to support its parks with added funding and active participation.
Now, in a moment when the park district is making a raft of critical and costly decisions, we also see the emergence on the park board of a sometimes dissenting, more fiscally cautious voice in the recently elected Commissioner Paul Aeschleman.
Last week, Aeschleman was the sole vote against an agreement with an architectural firm to start work on the design of a new gymnastics center on Lake Street. His concern is that even before the detailed work begins, the project is already budgeted at the maximum of $6.7 million allocated for the gymnastics project and the expansion of the park’s building and grounds department in existing space on Madison Street. He makes the further point that the initial plan does not allow for the full amount of outdoor storage space the district has indicated it needs for the maintenance department. He also opposed the suggestion of a colleague that additional district funds intended to update other park facilities might be tapped to cover any shortfall.
We are confident that with prudent oversight, these projects can be completed within budget. But it is a worthy message to send to vendors at the start that staying within budget is a priority. It is not helpful to start a $30 million project like this — gymnastics, building and grounds, the remaking of Ridgeland Common — by saying the district could root about for added funds to cover overruns.
So Aeschleman is a welcome voice and the rest of the park board would do well to listen.