Park Board Readies Project List After Approving Bond Issuance

The Effingham Park Board is finalizing its 2013 project list after approving the issuance of up to $500,000 in bonds. 

The revenue generated by the bond sale will pay for the projects and the bonds will be paid off over the course of the coming year.

The winning bid for the bond issuance was submitted by Midland States Bank at .079%.

The Park Board has looked at several projects to be undertaken during 2013.  They include a dog park and two additional practice fields on property received from the City located north of Evergreen Hollow Park, replacement of the lights on one of two softball fields at Hendelmeyer Park that still utilize wooden poles, and more road and parking area resurfacing at Community Park.

Park District Director Jeff Althoff said 2013 projects will also include installation of new playground equipment at Community Park near where the two Effingham Rotary Clubs plan to construct a new pavilion to replace the aging pavilion along Temple Avenue on the park's east side.  Althoff said there could also be more roadway surfacing.  Some on the Board favor work at Hendelmeyer Park, others support surfacing the road in the bottoms at Community Park used when driving through to look at the Wonderland in Lights display.  Althoff said the roadway at Community would likely be closed to vehicular traffic and left to walkers and runners and disc golf players except during Christmastime.

Althoff was also asked about the first base grandstand at Paul Smith Field at Community Park that was blown down late last year and the status of repairing or replacing the structure?  He said he's still waiting to hear from the Park District's insurance company on how to proceed.  The debris has been cleared away.  Althoff said the remaining usable bleachers will be used in other locations throughout the Park District.  He said the metal could be used to construct additional pavilions or to help with construction of bridges in District parks.