The Capital Budget is a work plan consisting of projects to be implemented in 2021. This plan may be modified throughout the year due to unforeseen conditions and the reallocation of resources. Each year, projects are re-evaluated and adjusted as conditions and demands change. The Park Board approves the plan on an annual basis.

It’s also important to note that the Naperville Park District’s mission, vision and core values all guide the operations and decision-making of the District particularly when it comes to determining and prioritizing improvement projects.

Each of these key guiding principles is considered during the decision-making process relative to capital planning. Additional factors that are considered include District finances, demonstrated community needs and key planning documents.

 

What Constitutes a Capital Project?
The Capital Plan consists of items that meet the following criteria:

• • Monetary value of at least $10,000
  • A life cycle with a minimum of three years
  • Repair/replacement of existing facilities
  • Land acquisition and/or construction of facilities through the extension of existing services and land acquisition and/or construction of facilities through the development of new services.

Capital Funds
In the early 1990s, the Park District Board dedicated a portion of the District’s annual tax levy to be used exclusively for capital projects to make improvements to the park system as well as to pay off any Park District debt. Cash-in-lieu funds are received from the City of Naperville through the Land Dedication Ordinance adopted by the Naperville City Council. This ordinance requires land developers to dedicate 8.6 acres of park land per 1,000 people in any planned development or the cash equivalent of the 8.6 acres. Alternative revenue from grants and sponsorships also contribute to project funding.

Capital Projects Virtual Open House
The Naperville Park District typically holds an annual Capital Projects Open House in the summer to receive community input on projects proposed for the following year. Due to COVID-19, in August the Park District hosted a 2021 Capital Projects Virtual Open House online. Residents were encouraged to view the projects and submit comments and questions via email to the project manager associated with each project. Park District staff considered the community input received when preparing final designs for the projects.

Shoreline Restoration
Every year Capital Funds are allocated for the restoration of shorelines including retention basins managed by the Naperville Park District and areas along the DuPage River. These projects improve native animal habitat, water quality and reduce maintenance and associated costs in the long-term. Shoreline improvement projects slated for implementation the following year are presented at the Capital Projects Open House every year.

Park Meadow Project
In 2019 and 2020 the Naperville Park District began a Park Meadow Initiative to improve its stewardship of parkland. This initiative involves converting turf grass to meadow in strategic areas in selected parks. The meadow areas will be planted with native wildflowers and low prairie grasses. The areas selected for conversion include stormwater detention sites and other areas that are frequently wet due to the topography of the site. The areas range in size from .10 acre to 1.25 acre. The Park District intends to extend the project into future years including 2021, converting additional acres into meadow each year in other parks across the District.

View a list of projects by year, site maps, photographs and Q and A below:

Park Meadow Project

As part of its annual budget process, the Naperville Park District invites the public to comment on capital improvements proposed for 2021. Due to COVID-19, in August the Park District hosted a 2021 Capital Projects Virtual Open House online. Residents were encouraged to view the projects and submit comments and questions via email to the project manager associated with each project. Public input received during the community outreach phase was considered by Park District staff when designing project plans and formulating budgets in preparation for implementation in 2021.

For Additional information on the 2021 Park and Facility Improvement Projects, visit the Naperville Park District's 2021 Fiscal Year Budget.

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Please email Eric Shutes at eshutes@napervilleparks.org