'No' Vote For Bike Niles Event In Oak Park: Commissioner

Submitted by Christopher Zalinski

I have given much thought in regards to the possibility of the Niles Park District Board of Commissioners allowing the Village of Niles to use Oak Park to host their Bike Niles Event on July 26th, 2018.

Much has happened at the Niles Park District's Oak Park facility in the past year since we allowed the Village of Niles to host their maiden Bike Niles Event at Oak Park. Most importantly the Park District learned that the Park District had signed a lease with the Village of Niles in 1994 that limited the Park District's use of the Village's portion of Oak Park.

In June 2017, the Park District constructed a much needed new youth T-ball & softball field at the NE corner of Oak Park. The Mayor informed the Park District leaders in a meeting that the lease for the Village's land only allows "passive recreation" to happen. Shortly after the Mayor informed the Park District about the "passive recreation " clause the Park leaders asked to have another meeting with the Village. The Mayor agreed to the meeting and at that meeting the Park leaders asked the Mayor if the Village and Park District could work together and have the lease amended to allow "active recreation" on the Village's property. That would mean the new T-Ball and softball field could remain. The Mayor denied the Park's request. The Mayor then stated that because the Park District's new T-Ball and softball field are "active recreation" activities the Park District would have to remove the newly constructed ball diamond from Oak Park. The much needed field was taken down by the Park District in November 2017 to avoid costly litigation as warned by the Village of Niles officials.

Now the Niles Park District Board of Commissioners know too well the details of this lease the Park District has with the Village of Niles at Oak Park. Bicycle riding is "active recreation"; therefore, I cannot knowingly violate our present lease with the Village of Niles. I vote NO.

But I would be open to discussions with the Village of Niles concerning the allowance of "active recreation" at Oak Park.

Christopher Zalinski
Commissioner, Niles Park District