FUNd the Future!
Who We Are
History
Founded in 1957, the Northfield Park District has continually grown to meet the recreational needs of the community by delivering the highest quality parks, facilities and programs. The Park District is a separate taxing body from the Village of Northfield and is governed by a 7 member Park Board of Commissioners.
What's Next for the Northfield Park District
To remain connected to the wants and needs of the community, the Park District regularly updates its Comprehensive Master Plan, most recently in early 2023. It was developed through extensive community feedback and serves as the road map for the next 5 years. Additional funding is needed to execute approximately $10MM in capital projects derived from the plan.
2025 Property Tax Referendum Results
The Park District placed a limiting rate increase referendum on the ballot for the April 1st, 2025 Consolidated Election, which did not pass by a very slim margin. Had this referendum passed, it would have resulted in a tax increase of $300 per year for a $1MM home, and generated an estimated $600k in additional tax revenue per year. This would have provided the sustainable revenue needed to execute the Comprehensive Master Plan and future growth of the Park District.
Where Do We Go From Here?
Our goal to fund the projects identified in the Comprehensive Master Plan has not changed, and shortly after the referendum results were certified, the FUNd the Future Committee was formed. In conjunction with the Northfield Parks Foundation, the committee will be out and about this summer engaging the community at Park District events discussing ways to bring the future vision of our parks to life! Possible paths forward include...
Stay the Course
We are well positioned to maintain and replace our current parks, facilities, and assets. The Northfield Parks Foundation has always risen to the occasion when there are funding gaps, which has allowed us to bring the community a wonderful variety of amenities for all ages.
Fund the Comprehensive Master Plan Projects
The 2023 update of the Comprehensive Master Plan focused on expansion outside of our current footprint. Any expansion must be taken on responsibly with consideration of increased future operating and capital expenses.
Northfield Parks Foundation Fundraising
This has been our primary method to fill any funding gaps in previous projects. Park District reserves and grants can only cover so much, and relying solely on that will limit our ability to expand. With the current need estimated to be $10MM, fundraising is more important than ever to help us achieve our goals. The Northfield Parks Foundation is actively fundraising for the development of a new pocket park located on Happ Road just south of Temple Jeremiah. The Park District and Village of Northfield entered into a lease agreement in 2024 that has paved the way for this park, but an estimated $500k is needed to get this project off the ground. If you're interested in donating or getting involved with the Northfield Parks Foundation, you can visit their website, mynfld.org, to learn more.
Future Referendum
With the results of the April 2025 referendum being so close, we are strongly considering bringing this option to the voters again in the future. The limiting rate referendum would allow us to move forward on the projects that have stemmed from the Comprehensive Master Plan. The additional annual tax revenue could be used to fund these projects directly over time, while also giving us the ability to take on more debt if needed. If you're interested in more details on the tax impact, visit our Referendum page to learn all about it.
Future Projects
Willow Park Phase II (coming 2025): $800K - $900K
New North Side Pocket Park & Playground: $500K - $600K
Community Center Expansion: $2MM - $3MM
Willow Park Outdoor Restrooms & Maintenance Facility: $2.5MM - $3.5MM
Future Land Acquisition: $2MM - $5MM
Fox Meadow Park & Playground Improvements: $500K - $600K
How Have Past Projects Been Funded?
Park District projects typically involve a combination of fund balance reserves, State and/or Federal grant support, donations secured through the Northfield Parks Foundation, and taking on debt when necessary. The Park District currently has approximately $1.7MM in outstanding debt that carries an average interest rate of 2%. This debt is scheduled to be retired in 2031, after which considerations can be made to take on new debt to fund future projects.
The Park District has always been committed to long-term financial sustainability. Our long-range capital replacement plan is updated annually to account for the replacement of aging assets. We are well positioned to operate, maintain and eventually replace all current assets; and we've done this with one of the lowest property tax rates in the area.
