Park Board votes to hold off any decisions involving Villa Kathrine, Parker Heights Park

QUINCY — The Quincy Park District Board of Commissioners opted Wednesday night to hold off on any decisions regarding a pair of items involving the Villa Kathrine and Parker Heights Park.

The board voted to table any recommendations tied to an upgrade of the walkway and overlook design near the Villa Kathrine. Board president John Frankenhoff said Tax Increment Financing (TIF) assistance help is no longer available for the project, which is expected to carry a $170,000 price tag, up from an original estimate of $125,000, due largely to recent inflation. 

The commissioners said they would examine the possibility of scaling back the project to make it “more palatable”. Doing the project “in phases” may also be a suggestion moving forward.”

“There is only so much money for capital projects,” commissioner Roger Leenerts said.

The Park District staff has been working with Klingner and Associates to gather potential designs and cost estimates. Design and engineering costs are listed at $11,950 and will be covered through corporate reserves.

The possibility of selling 1.17 acres of Parker Heights Park property is also on hold, pending more conversation and gathering of additional information. Four years ago, district officials had staff begun to identify property that no longer meets the needs of the district. Once identified, that property was to be disposed of, using proper protocol, according to Rome Frericks, executive director of the Park District, and this portion of Parker Heights Park fell within those parameters. 

“Mowable land is not included in this (1.17-acre) area,” Frankenhoff said.

The estimated price of the 1.17 acres would be about $20,000. The property in question has not been utilized “in a century,” according to the board. Frankenhoff said there will be discussion in the near future with Knapheide Manufacturing, who had previously expressed interest in a larger, little-used portion of the park.

In other action:

• In closed session after the regularly scheduled meeting, board members met to begin discussion about the process of replacing commissioner David Gilbert, who is moving to North Carolina in the near future. Ideally, Frankenhoff said a replacement would be selected by the second week of July. More information, including the necessary forms to apply for the position, will soon be posted on the Park District website at www.quincyparkdistrict.com.
• Leenerts reported information is still being gathered regarding a new irrigation system for Westview Golf Course.
• Director of Golf David Morgan said the outside patio area at Westview is now finished. Morgan also reported overall rounds played at Westview are slightly behind 2021, blaming inclement weather for the difference.
• Director of Program Services Mike Bruns said the first five days of operation at Indian Mounds Pool averaged 205 customers, compared to 213 over the same period a year ago. Bruns also said maintenance staff has been dealing with a series of mechanical issues. Bruns said such problems are typical in any area where a pool like Indian Mounds is “only open for about 2 1/2 months” each year.