Voters approved a $13.86 million referendum for the Park District of La Grange on Tuesday, with 74 percent voting in favor.

With 10 of 12 precincts reporting, 5,340 yes votes were recorded, compared to 1,898 no votes, according to the Cook County Clerk’s website.

“We’re very excited,” said Jenny Bechtold, executive director of the Park District of La Grange, at 9:10 p.m. Tuesday.

“The passing of the referendum shows our community has support for enhancing the recreational phases in parks, creating opportunities for all residents to connect, play and thrive,” she said.

Park district officials expressed gratitude that “residents put their trust and commitment in investing in our shared future,” Bechtold added.

The outcome was not unexpected. A summer survey sent to 6,274 households showed strong support for the referendum among La Grange residents. Tuesday’s results closely mirrored the survey’s findings. Seventy-three percent of respondents indicated they were likely to vote in favor of the referendum, while only 19 percent said they would probably or definitely vote against it.

“We wouldn’t put it on the ballot if we didn’t feel it wasn’t going to pass,” Bechtold said in September.

According to the park district, the $13.86 million bond measure will result in an annual tax increase of $63 for a home valued at $500,000, or about $5 per month.

The impressive margin of victory—roughly three out of four votes—was achieved by focusing on the plan’s multi-generational aspects, Bechtold said.

“It touched all residents. It wasn’t narrowly focused. It focused on everybody, which enhanced the vote,” she said. “We did a tremendous amount of community engagement because we did want their support and involvement.”

There were numerous in-person and online meetings where residents provided feedback, which the district used to shape the final plan. “Three of four (votes), everybody was in favor of it,” Bechtold said.

The park board will discuss the next steps when it meets on Nov. 11. “We’ll figure out when we want to issue the bonds. We’ll come up with a game plan,” Bechtold said.

Some of the key projects included in the referendum are:

  • Gordon Park Improvements: The park district’s first dog park will be added, along with an irrigation system, new backstops, additional shade trees, and a bandshell for events, rentals, concerts, and recitals. “Four-legged friends are important to people these days,” Bechtold said.
  • Denning Park Additions: Plans include a nine-hole disc golf course and a new soccer field.
  • Sedgwick Park Enhancements: Four pickleball courts will be built, as the district currently has none.
  • Spring Park and Community Center: New playground equipment will be installed at Spring Park, and the community center at Washington and Lincoln will gain a new door providing direct access to the park.
  • Environmental Initiatives: The plan includes planting 42 shade trees and six ornamental trees. “We’re not planning on removing any trees, which was of great importance to our community,” Bechtold said.