Recap of the Freeport Park District Board Commissioners Meeting

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Entrance to Krape Park in Freeport
Entrance to Krape Park in Freeport

Pickleball Courts: The Commissioners voted to have Fehr Graham do a study on converting some of the existing tennis courts at Krape Park into pickleball courts. A pickleball court is about half the size of a tennis court. The study will include how many courts should be converted using numbers of local pickleball players and tennis players. 

Krape Park Overlook: The Commissioners voted to have Fehr Graham do beginning conceptual designs of an overlook along the Park Blvd exit to the park. There is a house, owned by the Park District, that will be vacated in the Fall. The idea of removing the house and turning the space into an overlook is in the very beginning stages of planning right now”, according to Ron Schneider, current Park Executive Director. 

Toy Museum Project: A 400K IDNR Grant has been obtained. This is an 80/20 grant and the Historical Society and the Park District will contribute $50K each to meet the guidelines of the match. $25K at the beginning and then $25K at the end of the project. Details are still being worked out between the Historical Society and the Park District but this project is moving forward. 

Electric Contract: The Park District is at the end of their 3 year contract with Direct Energy. They have been paying 7 cents per kilowatt and Direct Energy’s current cost is 6 cents per kilowatt. Sevin Utility Management Consultants is the broker that will solicit bids on the Park Districts behalf. They are being hired to find the best rate for electric costs. 

Alternate delegate for Jane Addams Trail appointed: Mr. Berin Jackson was appointed the alternate delegate for the Jane Addams Trail Commission. The Jane Addams Trail is a 12.85-mile long rail trail in Stephenson County, Illinois and is composed of representatives of the City of Freeport, Stephenson County, the City of Orangeville, and the Freeport Park District. 

A video recording of this meeting can be found here.

Jody Coss has been a registered nurse for 20 years, a small business owner and local professional photographer for 21 years and an activist for the past 12 years. She is most passionate about transforming our national health system into a system that is fair and equitable for all. She is an active member of local, state and national Medicare for All organizations. She enjoys her two rescue pitbull cross dogs and loves to decorate and garden.