ELMHURST, IL – Another group is making its views known about an Elmhurst park that may be sold to a developer – children.
At Tuesday’s City Council meeting, more than a dozen children stood in line waiting for their turn to speak during the public comment period.
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The children described the park, often referred to as green space, as a good place to play and be close to nature.
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Many identified themselves as students at the nearby Field Elementary School.
“This green space is so important because there are so many animals that have homes (there),” Field fourth grader Ceci Henry said. “I have seen bunnies, bees, foxes, coyotes, worms, birds, including a hawk, skunks and squirrels. The animals would be sad because their homes would be destroyed.”
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The park in question is between Schiller and Third streets, at the end of Second Street and Elmhurst Avenue. It is the site of the old Elmhurst Hospital, given to the city nearly a half-century ago.
Kelly Henry is Ceci’s mother and a resident of Joanne Way, which is next to the park.
She told the council the green space was what attracted her family to the neighborhood. Area children use the park’s sidewalk to get to school, she said.
“The very thought that this beautiful park could be taken away, bulldozed and sold is gut-wrenching and makes me feel sick,” said Henry, who is also an Elmhurst school board member.
Resident Jake Gasaway, who also lives next to the park, said the land was what drew his family to their house.
When looking to buy a house in town, he said he was surprised a lot would be available next to the park.
“My mind immediately flashed to this green space and what it could mean for kids growing up and playing there,” Gasaway said. “I said whatever it takes, that’s the one I want.”
Elmhurst officials said nothing at Tuesday’s meeting about the prospect of selling the land. They typically do not respond to public comments during meetings.
Along with the city’s acquisition of the green space in the 1970s was a covenant that barred development for 50 years. That period ends in April 2025.
According to the city, the property is expected to pull in $5 million to $6 million. It could be the site of up to a dozen houses, with values around $1.5 million each, the city said.
Last week, the City Council’s finance committee talked about ways to pay for a new police station, now expected to cost $48 million.
The committee’s file included a document detailing the possibilities for selling city real estate, including the park in question.
For a couple of years, neighbors have been speaking out against the property’s sale.
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