Glencoe Park District 2010 Bond Sale to Benefit Taxpayers
Release Date: July 20, 2010

The Glencoe Park District recently refunded a 2000 series of outstanding general obligation bonds at a current, lower interest rate, an action that will save its taxpayers approximately $153,650 over the next ten years.

On July 14, 2010 the Park District issued $1,080,000 in General Obligation Park Refunding Bonds, Series 2010. The 2010 Bonds were issued to advance refund the District’s outstanding General Obligation Park Bonds, Series 2000, which were issued in 2000 upon the successful Watts referendum. Now, a lower average interest rate on the new bonds (3.27% vs. 6.06%) will save the District approximately $153,650 in interest costs over a next ten-year period. On a present value basis this is $131,275, which is 12.3% of the principal amount outstanding.

“While the bond sale will not result in a dramatic reduction in taxes for each Glencoe resident, every small percentage helps, and it is just one way in which the Glencoe Park District can assist residents during these tough economic times,” says Don Van Arsdale, Executive Director. “We are constantly searching for ways to reduce costs for our residents, and refinancing the bonds was an obvious way to save our taxpayers money.” For clarification, the bond sale does not put money back into the Park District’s budget. Rather, it saves residents money that would have been spent in interest expense.

New Dance Program & Instructors this Fall
Release Date: July 14, 2010

Helen's Fitness and Yoga, Inc. and the Glencoe Park District are pleased to announce a new partnership with Inaside Chicago Dance Company for lyrical, ballet, and jazz dance classes, and Design for hip hop classes. Under the guidance of professional dancers from each company, we are now able to offer a more comprehensive youth dance program than we have ever had at the Glencoe Park District. Your children will learn various forms of dance with teachers who represent the best artistry in the Chicagoland area! New classes include: Fantasy Dance (Ages 2-3), Tiny Dancers (Ages 2-3), Pre-Ballet & Ballet (Preschool - Grade 4), Jazz (Grades 3-12), Lyrical Dance (Grades 3-12), and Hip Hop (Preschool - Grade 8).

Our new instructors have a wide range of professional dance experience, having performed with and studied under the most highly respected choreographers in Chicago. Each teacher has unique, creative ideas to bring to their classes. They are all very excited to further develop the Glencoe Park District's Dance program!

Park District Collects Community Input for Strategic Plan 
Release Date: May 25, 2010

The Glencoe Park District is beginning the process of a strategic plan that will chart a direction for the next several years. Over the next few months town hall meetings and focus groups will be conducted to collect community input about the Park District's services, programs, and facilities.The time invested in the meetings will help shape future outcomes. Information generated will be used to create possible survey questions, help shape goals and objectives, as well as provide an understanding of what direction the Park District should take with future projects.

In addition, each Glencoe household will receive a community survey which will ask residents to comment on areas such as non-resident fees, facility usage, and program ideas. We encourage all residents to return their survey, as this is the best way to understand the overall needs of our community.

The Naperville, IL based consulting firm of Public Research Group, LLC is leading the strategic planning project, with a primary goal of soliciting public input from different sectors of the community.

If you have questions regarding the strategic plan process or would like to share your ideas about service and facility improvements, please contact Executive Director Don Van Arsdale at dvanarsdale@glencoeparkdistrict.com or (847) 835-7530.