Residents, committee press for accounting as Kennedy Park renovation advances with village dollars

Residents and Parks Committee members pressed village officials on Sept. 22 about stalled private fundraising for the Kennedy Park renovation, asking for a clearer accounting of outside donations after the village advanced construction with public funds.

The issue matters because the renovation was presented as largely privately funded: the committee and the board approved a memorandum of understanding that said a community fundraising group, the Friends of Kennedy Park, would spearhead construction and maintenance funding. Committee members and commenters said that outside fundraising has not met expectations and that most money spent to date has come from village sources, including $766,000 in ARPA funds.

Public commenter Jim Pinsonal said the fundraising effort had not produced the results promised and asked the village to clarify exactly how much the Friends of Kennedy Park had raised. “Taxpayer money should not be called raised money,” Pinsonal said. He told the committee that the Friends group was formed after a state-required recreation plan and that the committee, trustees and staff agreed an outside fundraising arm would lead construction funding.

Jamie Wylund, who identified herself as a former trustee and parks chair, told the committee an “ask letter” intended to solicit donations has been prepared but not mailed despite being reported complete in prior meeting minutes. “There’s an ask letter that’s been sitting for over a year now,” Wylund said, and she expressed frustration that two hired marketing consultants disengaged before the group used their work.

Staff updates described construction progress and some private commitments. Staff member Michael said the recently completed turf installation on two fields had passed final inspection and that “they’re installed, not complete, but there’s 4 lights installed” on the first diamond. He reported irrigation work is scheduled and that the village has a pay request pending from the general contractor.

Committee and staff comments listed some fundraising activity: the Friends group is scheduling a “glow” golf tournament on Feb. 28 as a fundraiser; the Friends secured a $30,000 commitment toward field lighting; baseball reportedly pledged $25,000 and indicated additional smaller donations; softball representatives said they expect to donate at least $10,000; and the Friends’ next near-term goal is to raise about $160,000 to complete lights on Field 4. Committee members also described a substantial gift from a local family that the meeting referred to as a major private contribution.

Committee members repeatedly reminded the group that the renovation has been structured in phases and that future phases will proceed only as outside funding becomes available. A committee member said village-funded infrastructure work that would have been needed regardless — such as restroom, well and park office improvements — will continue even if private fundraising slows, but discretionary phases will wait for additional fundraising.

The Parks Committee did not take a formal vote on changing the project plan. Members asked staff to keep communicating with the Friends of Kennedy Park, to solicit the mailing of the ask letter, and to consider inviting user groups (baseball, softball, hockey) to a future meeting so committee members can hear directly about each group's fundraising plans and capacity.

The committee said it would continue oversight of the project, monitor fundraising milestones, and revisit the schedule for subsequent phases if private commitments do not materialize.

Details from the meeting: the renovation was described in committee documents as an estimated $15,000,000 project, the village provided a $766,000 ARPA allocation as an initial contribution, the Friends group was created after the locally referenced "state mandate 208 core comprehensive outdoor recreation plan," and the next major Friends fundraising event is scheduled for Feb. 28, 2026.

The Parks Committee requested a clearer accounting of funds raised by the Friends of Kennedy Park and more transparent, timely use of consultants’ marketing products before proceeding with additional construction phases.