A recent survey shows a slim majority of Skokie residents support a $53 million, 20-year bond referendum. This bond aims to develop a new park and improve an existing one. On July 21, the Skokie Park District officials unanimously voted to place this measure on the Nov. 3 election ballot. The project plans to transform a former asphalt site on Oakton Street into Channelside Park South.
Currently, the Skokie Park District manages 45 active parks or facilities. Although some are small neighborhood parks, the new initiative will expand recreational options. If approved, the referendum will fund improvements at Skokie Sports Park and Sports Park East. Proposed changes include a recreation center, multi-sport courts, walking and biking paths, and a bridge to the North Shore Channel Trail.
The Skokie Park District Board reports that 54% of respondents indicated they would vote in favor of the referendum. Public information sessions in June allowed residents to understand the project’s impact on property taxes. Homeowners with a $500,000 home could see a $183 increase in annual taxes, whereas $1 million homeowners might pay an extra $379 annually. A tax estimator helps voters calculate their potential tax increase.
The Park District services approximately 67,000 residents in Skokie, with parts extending into Evanston, Morton Grove, and Chicago. The District operates independently from the Village of Skokie with its own authority to levy taxes.
Plans for Channelside Park South include a renovation of existing facilities, adding a band shell, stage, event lawn, outdoor fitness gear, children’s maze, and splash pad. Sports Park East might gain a new recreation center, golf simulators, and expanded amenities. There is consideration for baseball fields, contingent on community feedback. Should the referendum pass, construction could commence in spring 2027, finishing in around 18 to 24 months.
This proposal follows years of community input requesting more walking, biking, and jogging paths, along with better sports facilities. Although Skokie already possesses numerous recreation areas, the community desires expanded options.
Sheldon Wernikoff, a Skokie resident, expressed concern about the cost to taxpayers. “Most voters do not fully understand how a bond referendum is paid for,” he mentioned. He advocates for ballot clarity, stating it should clearly indicate a property tax increase. “I am insisting on clear language for the November bond referendum ballot,” he added.
Wernikoff noted the abundance of parks in Skokie and suggested the land in question could be used for affordable housing, which is in short supply. “That would be a far more worthy project,” he concluded.