For Immediate Release
Park District Reaches Purchase Agreement for 103 Forest Avenue
At their October 12th Board Meeting, the River Forest Park District Board of Commissioners approved an agreement to purchase 103 Forest Avenue, River Forest, for $2.45 million, contingent on the approval of a February 2, 2010 referendum to finance the project. In addition, the Board of Commissioners has directed their attorney to draft a contract to be signed within the next week.
"We are glad to have reached this agreement this early in the process, stated Michael Sletten, Executive Director. This is a fair price for the property, and all parties are satisfied with the agreement. We can now focus our efforts on working with the community in designing the proposed Park District Recreation Center."
The next Community Workshop to discuss the conceptual design of the proposed Park District Recreation Center is Thursday, October 29th, 7:00 pm, at The Depot, 401 Thatcher Avenue, River Forest. The Architect will be presenting a number of conceptual designs for resident feedback and suggestions. All River Forest residents are encouraged to attend the meeting and participate in the process.
For more information, please contact Michael Sletten at 708-366-6660 xt 101 or a msletten@rfparks.com
For Immediate Release
2009 Community Bank Makin' Tracks 5K Run/Walk - September 26th,
8:00 am, Concordia University Chicago
Registration is now open for the 2009 Community Bank Makin' Tracks 5K Run/Walk on Saturday, September 26th at 8:00 am at Concordia University Chicago.
Three ways to register:
1. Drop off the form and check at The Depot, 401 Thatcher Avenue, River Forest, Illinois 60305. Please make the check payable to the River Forest Park District.
2. Mail the form and check to: River Forest Park District, 401 Thatcher Avenue, River Forest, Illinois 60305. Please make the check payable to the River Forest Park District. Mailed registration forms must be postmarked by September 19, 2009.
3. Register online at www.rfparks.com (6.5% plus $.50 service fee) or at www.signmeup.com/65968 (6.5% plus $1.00 service fee). Online registration is available until September 23, 2009, at 12:00 pm (CST).
"This is a great special event that will benefit the West Suburban Recreation Association in providing recreation services to children and adults with needs", stated Karen Scherrer, Recreation Supervisor and Race Director. "We hope our residents will come out and support their community and a worthy cause."
The end of the race is set up so the participants enter the north end of the Concordia Stadium and finish with a sprint on the track. "The highlight of the race will be when our participants get to run the length of the track in front of the bleachers with a cheering crowd to the finish line", stated Scherrer.
Race fees remain unchanged from 2008. The pre-race day fees for the event are $25.00 for adults, $20.00 for full-time students (ID required), and $15.00 for 14 years and under. Registration fees cover participation in the race, long-sleeved t-shirt, goodie bag, food and water.
The race brochure and course map are available on the Makin' Tracks page at www.rfparks.com. If you have any questions regarding the race, please call the River Forest Park District at 708-366-6660 x 105.
Constitution Park To Receive a Rubber Playground Surface
The River Forest Park District Board of Commissioners approved the conversion of the Constitution Park playground surface from a wood mulch surface to a poured-in-place rubber surface. The Board hired Fuerte Systems, Inc. to prepare the site for the new surface, and hired Surface America to install the poured-in-place surface product.
"The new rubber surface will really enhance the play experience for our younger residents and our residents with ADA accessibility needs," stated Michael Sletten, Executive Director. "The new surface will be especially great for toddlers, as the rubber surface is more stable and a better cushion when they fall down."
The 3-1/2 inch poured rubber surface is made of recycled rubber, and rubber tiles will be installed under both swing areas to provide more surface durability.
Work is scheduled to begin on September 21st, and the project will take four (4) weeks to complete. The playground will be closed during the construction period.
For more information on the Constitution Park Playground, please view the River Forest Park District website at www.rfparks.com <http://www.rfparks.com/> or contact John Beto at 708-366-6660 xt. 103 or jbeto@rfparks.com
River Forest Park District Board Selects Architect for Forest Avenue
The River Forest Park District Board of Commissioners selected FGM Architects, Oak Brook, as their architect for the proposed Recreation Center at 103 Forest Avenue. "We are excited to have FGM as our architect," stated Park District Board President, Dale Jones. "They are known as one of the leaders in recreation facility design, and they have considerable experience in designing smaller facilities as we propose at 103 Forest Avenue."
"FGM will be facilitating a number of community forums to solicit our residents' input for the design and amenities of the proposed facilitiy," stated Michael Sletten, Executive Director. "The first community forum is expected to be held in early to mid-September and then in three week increments thereafter. Out of these forums, the architect will develop the designs and plans for the proposed facility, as well as develop public information material. River Forest residents are strongly encouraged to attend and participate in these community forums."
Director Sletten continued, "Twenty-Four architect firms submitted proposals to the Park District's Request for Qualifications. The Park District Board narrowed the field down to four, and invited these firms to make a presentation at the Park District's August 17th Committee of the Whole Meeting. The Park District Board established a list of criteria to evaluate the presentations and selected FGM out of this process."
Financing for the proposed project at 103 Forest Avenue will require voter approval at the February 2, 2010 Primary Elections. The ballot question will ask residents to allow the Park District to re-issue expiring bonds at their current tax rate, resulting in no tax rate increase to the residents of River Forest.
For more information on the 103 Forest Avenue community forum meeting dates and times, please view the River Forest Park District website at www.rfparks.com or contact Michael Sletten at 708-366-6660 xt. 101 or msletten@rfparks.com
Request for Qualification
Recreation Center Design Services
The River Forest Park District is seeking specific qualifications from interested architectural firms possessing a high degree of professional skill and ability to assist the Park District in the planning and renovation of a Recreation Center located at 103 Forest Avenue, River Forest, Illinois. The property is not currently owned by the River Forest Park District. The Request for Qualification is available at the Park District office, 401 Thatcher Avenue, River Forest, Illinois, between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday.
Architects who wish to be qualified by the Park District must submit 7 copies of the required Qualification by July 30, 2009, to the following address: Michael Sletten, Executive Director, River Forest Park District, 401 Thatcher Avenue, River Forest, Illinois 60305, 708-366-6660 xt. 101/Fax 708-366-6661/msletten@rfparks.com
Request for Bid
The Depot Improvements Project
Sealed written bids for the River Forest Park District's 2009 The Depot Improvements Project in River Forest, Illinois, shall be received until 10:00 am local time, July 31, 2009, at which time all bids will be publicly opened and read aloud.
Specifications may be picked up and bids returned to the River Forest Park District office, 401 Thatcher Avenue, River Forest, Illinois, starting July 17, 2009, between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday. This is a State of Illinois/Cook County Prevailing Wage Project, with a certified payroll to be turned into the Park District.
Request for Bid
Constitution Park Playground Surface Project
Sealed written bids for the River Forest Park District's 2009 Constitution Park Rehabilitation Playground Surface Project in River Forest, Illinois, shall be received until 11:00 am local time, July 31, 2009, at which time all bids will be publicly opened and read aloud.
Specifications may be picked up and bids returned to the River Forest Park District office, 401 Thatcher Avenue, River Forest, Illinois, starting July 17, 2009, between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday. This is a State of Illinois/Cook County Prevailing Wage Project, with a certified payroll to be turned into the Park District.
Request for Proposal
Park Signs (Masonry) Project
Written proposals for the River Forest Park District's 2009 Park Signs (Masonry) Project in River Forest, Illinois, shall be received until 2:00 pm local time, August 7, 2009.
Specifications may be picked up and bids returned to the River Forest Park District office, 401 Thatcher Avenue, River Forest, Illinois, starting July 17, 2009, between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday. This is a State of Illinois/Cook County Prevailing Wage Project, with a certified payroll to be turned into the Park District.
Request for Proposal
Asphalt Paving Project
Written proposals for the River Forest Park District's 2009 Asphalt Paving Project in River Forest, Illinois, shall be received until 2:00 pm local time, August 7, 2009.
Specifications may be picked up and proposals returned to the River Forest Park District office, 401 Thatcher Avenue, River Forest, Illinois, starting July 30, 2009, between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday. This is a State of Illinois/Cook County Prevailing Wage Project, with a certified payroll to be turned into the Park District.
River Forest Park District Evaluating Purchase of Oilily Property and will Host Information Meeting
The River Forest Park District Board of Commissioners announce their interest in acquiring the Oilily property at 103 Forest Avenue, River Forest. Interest in the Oilily property is driven by rising enrollment in Park District programs and community interest in more program options. The Board directed staff to evaluate the property for future program needs and develop a timeline for the process to acquire the property. "Our indoor programs are run at eight different facilities through agreements with five different organizations, stated Dale Jones, Park District President. We are fortunate to have these cooperative arrangements, however, we are limited in use due to school hours and other user groups with priority needs. The future demand for our programs cannot be met with the current space availability, and we feel it would be best to explore the option of acquiring our own program space."
"Our 2008 Community Survey results show that there is community support for the Park District to acquire its own program space, stated Executive Director Michael Sletten. The Oilily property is currently listed for sale, and this would be an opportune time to acquire property for our community."
The purchase and renovation costs for a Park District recreation facility would require voter approval of a referendum at the February 2, 2010 Primary Elections. The referendum question will ask River Forest residents to approve a new tax bond to replace the soon to expire bonds at their 2008 levy rate to finance the project. As a result, River Forest taxpayers will not see a Park District tax rate increase versus their 2009 tax bill.
The River Forest Park District Board of Commissioners have scheduled a Special Meeting on June 15, 2009, 7:00 pm, to be held at Oilily, 103 Forest Avenue, River Forest. The purpose of the meeting is to provide information and hold discussion on the Park District's interest in acquiring the Oilily property. The general space of the building will be open for public view.
For more information, please contact Michael Sletten at 708-366-6660 xt. 101 or msletten@rfparks.com
Park Board 2009-2010 Meeting Dates
The River Forest Park District Board of Commissioners has approved a new meeting date schedule for the 2009-2010 budget year. The Board will be meeting on the second Monday of the month, with the Committee of the Whole beginning at 7:00 pm and the Regular Board Meeting beginning at 8:00 pm. Please note that the new schedule is a change from the past meeting schedule of the first and third Monday of the month.