Established

On June 9, 1925, the Arlington Heights Park District was formed with Commissioners Nathaniel Banta, Henry Klehm, Eugene Berbecker, Albert Volz, and Julius Flentie.

Governed

By a five member volunteer Board of Commissioners, each of whom serves four years. Current Board consists of Maryfran Leno, President; Andrew Bennett, Vice-President; Robert E. Smith, Robert L. Whisler, and Robert J. Nesvacil.

Boundaries

The 16.2 square mile District is located in northern Cook County and southern Lake County, 27 miles northwest of downtown Chicago. It lies in Elk Grove and Wheeling Townships and is bordered by Buffalo Grove and Wheeling to the north; Elk Grove Village on the south; on the west by Rolling Meadows and Palatine; on the east by Mt. Prospect. The District serves most of Arlington Heights and small portions of Palatine, Mt. Prospect, Prospect Heights, Rolling Meadows, and Lake County.

Population

The Park District's population is approximately 76,031. It's the third largest suburb in Cook County, the eight largest in the Chicago Metropolitan area and the twelfth largest community in the State.

Real Estate

The equalized assessed value of real estate for 2003 is $ 2,123,649,052.

Tax Rate

The tax rate for 2004 is .515 per $100 of assessed value.

Fiscal Year Budget

The proposed operating budget for 2005/06 is $21,055,344. The fiscal year begins May 1 and concludes on April 30.

Bond Rating

The District issues General Obligation Bonds periodically for capital improvements and has obtained an Aa3 rating from by Moody's Investor Service.

Park Resources

The District owns 453.77 acres, leases 260.40 acres of land and has 58 parks comprised of community parks, neighborhood parks, play lots, passive parks and linear parks. Recreational facilities include five outdoor and one indoor swimming pool, five community centers (each with gymnasium and meeting rooms), a cultural arts center, historical museum, senior center, Forest View Racquet and Fitness Club, Heritage Tennis Club, Arlington Lakes Golf Club, Olympic Indoor Swim Center, Nickol Knoll Golf Club, Melas Park Softball Complex, Lake Arlington's 1.8 mile walk/bike path and 50 acre boating lake, a driving range, 45 softball diamonds, 3 football fields and 17 soccer fields, 38 playgrounds, 53 outdoor tennis courts, 12 outdoor ice skating rinks and 39 picnic areas.

Programs and Services

The District provides a full range of activities and services year 'round. Major recreation programs include athletics, fitness, music, arts and crafts, performing arts, preschools, museum programs, swimming, tennis, senior programs, day camps, special events, trips, and, in cooperation with School District 25 and the Village of Arlington Heights, a before and after school program called Children At Play (CAP). The District is affiliated with the Northwest Special Recreation Association and cosponsors the Community Band and many other special interest groups.

Staff

The District has an appointed Executive Director responsible for administration of the District and a full-time staff of one hundred three (103). The District also employs over a thousand part-time, seasonal, and temporary workers, and volunteers.

Affiliations

The District is affiliated with the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), the Illinois Association of Park Districts (IAPD), and the Illinois Park and Recreation Association (IPRA).

Contact

Arlington Heights Park District: 847-577-3000, FAX 847-577-3050; E-mail: comments@ahpd.org

Web Site

http://www.ahpd.org

Updated 06/03/05