GEPD starting construction on $600k Safety Village

The Glen Ellyn Park District plans to begin construction on a $600,000 Safety Village facility at Maryknoll Park. The Park District and the Glen Ellyn Parks Foundation have been actively raising money and soliciting donations for this project for many years and the Foundation is donating $25,000 to start construction this fall. The remaining funds for construction have not yet been raised through donations or budgeted for by the Park District.

According to Director Atwell, the new facility will not change the safety village program curriculum, which is a long-running program that teaches children about safety. This is a cosmetic project that provides little value to the community at a high cost.

At the end of this phase of construction we will be left with underground utilities and pavement that will not yet be usable for the program. After further fund raising and construction children will be able to ride their bikes around 25 miniature replicas of GE buildings instead of the plastic houses currently used at Spring Avenue. The children will not be able to go into the new buildings.

This new phase of Safety Village construction was on the agenda at the last Board meeting but, according to President Hess, the Board will not be voting on whether to approve this project. President Hess stated that this project was approved by a previous Board. I asked President Hess to provide the Board with documentation about this previous approval, and we have not yet received this information.

The 2010 GEPD budget does not include any capital funds for any construction projects at Maryknoll Park this year. The park district cannot spend money that is not budgeted. If the park district wishes to construct this project this year, the Board must amend the 2010 budget. I have emailed President Hess and Director Atwell regarding this issue. President Hess responded by writing that "this phase will be completed, as presented, as soon as possible." Director Atwell has not responded.