Shall the Huntley Park District, McHenry and Kane Counties, Illinois, improve, equip and maintain parks and facilities, including (a) renovating, updating, and adding new amenities and playgrounds at numerous parks throughout said Park District including at the Deicke Discovery Zone 

Shall the Huntley Park District, McHenry and Kane Counties, Illinois, improve, equip and maintain parks and facilities, including (b) purchasing land and developing open space 

Shall the Huntley Park District, McHenry and Kane Counties, Illinois, improve, equip and maintain parks and facilities, including (c) increasing accessibility by paving trails, updating and adding pedestrian bridges, replacing pavement in parking areas, and replacing two elevators;

Shall the Huntley Park District, McHenry and Kane Counties, Illinois, improve, equip and maintain parks and facilities, including (d) adding pickleball courts, tennis courts, a basketball court, batting cages, and a golf entertainment facility;

Shall the Huntley Park District, McHenry and Kane Counties, Illinois, improve, equip and maintain parks and facilities, including (e) updating athletic fields

Shall the Huntley Park District, McHenry and Kane Counties, Illinois, improve, equip and maintain parks and facilities, including (f) updating equipment and amenities at the REC Center and Deicke Park Building

Shall the Huntley Park District, McHenry and Kane Counties, Illinois, improve, equip and maintain parks and facilities, including (g) updating amenitites at Stingray Bay Family Aquatic Center.

In tandem with the list of projects, the Park District has committed to obtaining $1,175,000 (preliminary estimate, subject to change) in grant money to reduce the overall costs to the taxpayers associated with the referendum.
 

In 2022 and 2023, the Huntley Plan to Play Strategic Master Plan process emphasized resident engagement with a community survey, workshops, focus groups, interviews and other feedback opportunities.  This activity also involved taking assessments of the conditions and inventory of our parks, facilities and amenities as compared to national standards for communities our size.

As part of its Huntley Plan to Play Strategic Master Plan process, the Huntley Park District engaged residents through surveys, workshops, focus groups and interviews throughout 2022 and 2023. Through this process, residents identified priorities for the Park District.

In 2024, the Park District commissioned independent firms to conduct a survey, additional interviews and a community discussion group and confirm the Park District heard and understood correctly what residents identified as priorities.

Residents reaffirmed some of their top priorities, including:

• Updating and adding amenities at playgrounds such as Deicke Discovery Zone and others throughout the District
• Purchasing land for future development and programming
• Increasing accessibility by updating and paving trails
• Installing pickleball, tennis and basketball courts and batting cages
• Adding shade trees
• Installing artificial turf to athletic fields

While the Park District completes updates and repairs every year, current available funds will not cover these projects in full.

Among other needs for parks, facilities and amenities, the following Priority Investments were identified by residents. Priority Investments weighs (1) the importance that residents place on the amenities/facilities and (2) how many residents have unmet needs for that facility/amenity. The following are the priority investments identified in the Strategic Master Plan that are associated with this referendum:

• Multi-use paved trails
• Open Space and Conservation Areas
• Outdoor multi-use courts (pickleball, tennis, basketball)
• Indoor courts for tennis or pickleball (enhancement to current Rec Center Gym to add air conditioning)
• Off-leash dog park (additional amenities to forthcoming dog park in 2025)
• Splash pad

In addition to priority investments for parks, facilities and amenities, programmatic needs were also identified. Among other programmatic needs identified, these are the priority investments identified in the Strategic Master Plan that will be addressed through this referendum:

• Adult and senior fitness and wellness programs (indoor and outdoor fitness equipment, air conditioning in gym)
• Cultural enrichment programs/events (theater updates, renovated outdoor spaces to host events)
• Community special events (updated paving, security features and other infrastructure to provide better space for events)
• Outdoor environmental/nature camps and programs (renovated parks will include more native planting and pollinator gardens with educational areas)
• Adult sports leagues (enhanced athletic fields at Tomaso with artificial turf)
• Tennis lessons and leagues (building new tennis courts)
• Youth and adult theater programs (updates to Cosman Theater amenities)
• Golf programs (golf entertainment will allow for more regular and year-round opportunities for golf instructional programs and leagues)

In early 2024, the Park District commissioned an independent communications firm to conduct interviews and a community discussion group. The discussion group was representative of the Huntley community. Insights helped identify not only community needs but also questions that may be asked and information residents may need to provide informed feedback.

The Park District also commissioned an independent research firm to send out a survey to randomly selected residents. Responses to the survey helped the Park District leadership determine future plans, and confirm that the community was interested in these projects to enhance the community.

During these activities in 2024, residents were presented with a list of amenities which are included with this referendum.  The amenities that were most supported by residents in the survey are listed below in order of priority to residents.  All items would be addressed in the referendum:

1. Add paved and connected trails throughout the District
2. Updating playgrounds/amenities at neighborhood parks
3. Acquire and develop open space for future park development
4. Add pickleball courts
5. Add Top Golf-style amenity (Golf Entertainment)
6. Improve accessibility by updating elevators, parking/pavement, and other surfacing

The Huntley Park District undertakes replacements and updates annually; however, the priorities identified by the community in surveys will require significantly more funding. The Huntley Park District operates and manages over 300 acres of land in 14 parks and offers over 1,000 recreational and seasonal programs annually. The District provides a full range of activities and services year-round. Major recreation programs include special events, athletics, aquatics, before and after school care, summer day camp, fitness, performing arts, and preschool.

The resources and amenities – especially our more popular existing ones like Deicke Discovery Zone, Neighborhood Playgrounds, sport courts, and athletic field amenities – periodically require replacement and repair due to their ages, wear and tear from daily use and constant exposure to hot summers and freezing winters. Our parks, playgrounds and facilities are gathering places for families and neighbors and it’s important that we restore and maintain them to ensure enjoyment now and for future generations to come. Priority projects identified by residents will have a positive impact on quality of life and contribute to a vibrant and thriving Huntley community.

Yes, the Huntley Park District does have a capital fund to complete updates and repairs and generally complete repairs or replacements to parks and playgrounds on a regular basis. However, current available funds will not cover all the priorities identified by residents.  Many of the projects identified, notably neighborhood park replacements were originally purchased with one-time developer donations.

It is important to note that the Park District continues to apply for grants and other funds to leverage tax dollars. Such funding allows the Park District to provide additional programming and updated facilities or parks at no additional cost to residents.

The Huntley Park District receives a very small amount of your property taxes. In fact, only $.02 of every tax dollar supports Park District operations. With the tax revenue, combined with user fees, memberships, and rentals, the Park District operates over 300 acres of land in 14 parks, five facilities, and offers over 1,000 recreational and seasonal programs annually. The District provides a full range of activities and services year-round. Major recreation programs include special events, athletics, aquatics, before- and after-school care, summer day camp, fitness, performing arts and preschool.

Here is a breakdown of the distribution of residential property taxes Huntley Park District residents currently pay.  Percentages may vary slightly depending upon which precinct or township you reside in.

Should the referendum pass, $.03 of every tax dollar would go toward Park District operations, which would then represent 3.4% of your tax bill.

Here is a breakdown of the distribution of residential property taxes Huntley Park District residents would pay if the referendum is successful.  Percentages may vary slightly depending upon which precinct or township you reside in.

The following charts have been provided as a reference based on the market value of your home. Market value of your home for tax calculation purposes can be determined by looking your current tax bill.  The amounts shown below indicate the annual amount your property taxes would increase as a result of a successful referendum.  For example, a home in McHenry County with a market value of $299,900 would see an estimated tax increase the following year of $71, or approximately $6 per month.

Included in the Village of Huntley are several park districts, including Huntley Park District. You can check your property tax bill to determine which park district serves you. You can also check out the map of our boundaries.

If you live within the Huntley Park District boundaries, you will see the Huntley Park District bond question on your ballot.

The projects funded by an approved referendum would begin in 2025 and be completed in phases over multiple years. As the projects are prioritized, details on timing will be shared on the Huntley Park District website.

Without funding from the proposed referendum, we will have to delay updating existing parks and playgrounds, knowing we could face challenges securing parts for repairs. This would lead to only minor improvements or closures.

Additionally, new amenities such as paved trails, pickleball courts, tennis courts, a splash pad and athletic field updates would not be installed or done gradually if funding allows.

You can find more information on our website or on our social media channels. You can also visit us at our open houses or information booths throughout the community.  

The first few engagement opportunities are as follows:

Onsite Events to Engage Staff

• Saturday, August 24 at the Huntley Farmer's Market from 8:00a-1:00p
• Saturday, September 14 at Tomaso Sports Park Pavilion from 8:00a-Noon (during sports activities)
• Visit the Huntley Park District Booth at Huntley Fall Fest September 27-29

Public Information Meeting

• Thursday, September 29 at the Cosman Theater, 12015 Mill Street, Huntley, IL from 6:30-7:30p

​If you belong to a group that would like to learn more about this referendum we can setup a presentation for you as well.  This might be sports groups, HOA's, scout groups, faith-based groups, service organizations, and any other groups.  Please contact us to discuss your needs and to setup an informational meeting.

Huntley Park District residents will be able to vote on the bond referendum on the November 5, 2024, general election ballot. Early in-person voting begins September 26, 2024. To register to vote, find your polling place or get more information, visit McHenry County or Kane County.