NaperGardens

NEW OPTION ANNOUNCED, OPTION 1A



Dear Naperville Gardener,

After conducting three Community Engagement Meetings, reviewing the feedback
given in a survey of 2008 Garden Plots program participants, and seeing the
comments submitted on the four options that address additional athletic field
space needs, the Naperville Park District and School District 203 are
introducing a fifth option for consideration.

Labeled "Option 1A," it proposes the creation of fields in the southern portion
of the current Garden Plots site as opposed to in the north in Option 1.  It
also provides for an estimated 146 more garden plots to remain at the West
Street location than Option 1, potentially resulting in a total of 478 plots.
This could mean that 81% of the total plots currently available would remain at
West Street.

Based on results from the recent Garden Plots survey this option would seem to
satisfy a majority of the respondents with 89% of those who responded indicating
that they would continue participating in the gardening program if their plot
was relocated to another plot within the West Street location.   Additional
survey feedback showed that a minimum of 304 plots would need to remain at the
West Street location in order to provide one plot for each household that said
they would not relocate to another Garden Plots location other than West Street.

If selected, Option 1A would reduce the number of athletic fields proposed at
the site from two-and-a-half to two, and the garden plots located in the
northern section of West Street would not be impacted. Of the 216 plots
currently in the southern location, 115 would be relocated to the northern area
of the property, while the remaining displaced plots would be relocated to
either DuPage River Park or Southwest Community Park.  Additional plots would be
added to this new location to accommodate the interest indicated by potential
gardeners who live in south Naperville, as indicated in the recent Garden Plots
survey and through community feedback.

This new option will be presented to the School District 203 Board and the Park
District Board for review in addition to the other options, survey results, and
other community feedback.  To view a copy of the Option 1A concept plan please
visit the Park District website at www.napervilleparks.org or use the following
internet address: http://www.napervilleparks.org/docs/82e7468b-8294-445b-a11a-c24e656a6aae.pdf  
An updated copy of the Option 1 concept plan, which utilizes information from
the recent Wetland Delineation Study conducted at the site, is also available on
the Park District website at the following address: http://www.napervilleparks.org/docs/a320f9ac-a625-4d69-9399-a8d1d69e30ef.pdf  

If you have comments regarding the garden plots please email the Park District
at info@napervilleparks.org or School District 203 at athleticfields@naperville203.org;
please type "Garden Plots" in the subject line.

Naperville Park District 630/848-5000
dshomper@napervilleparks.org>

October 22, 2008

Dear Naperville Gardener,

The Naperville Park District and Naperville School District 203 have placed additional information regarding the garden plots and athletic field space issues on our websites.  The information includes the following documents and may be accessed at the corresponding web links.

- Community Report on Naperville Central High School and Athletic Field Space Issues
http://www.napervilleparks.org/docs/GardenPlots-CommunityReport_FieldSpace-Final.pdf

- An Informational Brochure on NCHS and Athletic Field Space
http://www.napervilleparks.org/docs/athleticfieldsbrochurefinal.pdf

- Community Garden Plots FAQ's
http://www.napervilleparks.org/docs/10-17-08GardenPlotFAQ's.pdf

Each of the above items will also be mailed to gardeners to provide information to those who are not part of the email database.  Community Engagement Meeting information will also be included in the mailing to gardeners.  The Community Engagement meetings are scheduled to be held from 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. on:

Wednesday, October 29
District 203 Administrative Center
203 W. Hillside Avenue

Monday, November 10
Alfred Rubin Riverwalk Community Center
305 W. Jackson Avenue

Wednesday, November 12
District 203 Administrative Center
203 W. Hillside Avenue

Those who are unable to attend any of the meetings are encouraged to provide their comments
via e-mail to School District 203 at athleticfields@naperville203.org or to the Naperville Park
District at info@napervilleparks.org; please type "Garden Plots" in the subject line. 

Next Steps in the process
- Following the community engagement meetings, School District 203 and the Naperville Park
District will work cooperatively to compile community feedback
- The Naperville Park District will conduct a survey of Garden Plots participants and
subsequently analyze the data received.  Surveys are scheduled to be distributed to gardeners within the next week.
- Both School District 203 and the Park District will engage their respective boards to come to a
decision of what course of action to take. These boards will make the determination whether
or not any recommendations will be made to City Council for their consideration and action

Please visit www.napervilleparks.org or www.naperville203.org for more information.


Naperville Park District 630/848-5000




NOTICE FROM PARK DISTRICT. MEETINGS ON GARDEN PLOTS TO BE RUN BY SCHOOL DISTRICT 203 W/PARK DISTRICT. GARDEN PLOT USERS ARE NOT INCLUDED EXCEPT AS MEMBERS OF THE AUDIENCE.

Dear {EMAIL},
 
Community Engagement Meetings regarding Garden Plots property on West Street
Naperville Community Unit School District 203 and the Naperville Park District will be hosting three community engagement meetings to gather public feedback on site concepts for the proposed future use of the Garden Plots property along West Street. As we realize these discussions involve several different community stakeholders including Park District participants, Garden Plots users, high school athletes, and many others, we encourage the involvement of as many people as possible.

Each of the three meetings will be identical in format, with staff from both School District 203 and the Naperville Park District in attendance. Attendees can expect an open house format beginning with a brief overview presentation to outline the issues, concept drawings displayed, options outlined, and participant feedback taken for further consideration.

Please join us for one of the following Community Engagement Meetings. Each will be held from 7:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m.:

Wednesday, October 29
District 203 Administrative Center
203 W. Hillside Avenue

Monday, November 10
Alfred Rubin Riverwalk Community Center
305 W. Jackson Avenue

Wednesday, November 12
District 203 Administrative Center
203 W. Hillside Avenue

Those who are unable to attend any of these meetings are encouraged to provide their comments via e-mail to School District 203 at athleticfields@naperville203.org or to the Naperville Park District at info@napervilleparks.org; please type “Garden Plots” in the subject line. Additionally, the Park District invites all interested individuals to learn more about the Garden Plots on West Street at www.napervilleparks.org. Additional information will be available on both the Park District website and the School District 203 website beginning late in the week of Oct. 20 at www.naperville203.org. Information will include:

• A whitepaper outlining options
• An Informational brochure
• FAQ’s