Park District: July 2008 Archives

An item on the City Council's Monday agenda says members plan to discuss the Naperville Park District Board. Councilman Doug Krause championed the idea of the city taking over for the district during his 2007 mayoral run. He also said the city could do away with current Executive Director Daniel Betts' position, a job that pays $145,000 annually. Betts is on a leave of absence less than just four months into the job. The district has not given any indication when or whether he will return.

In 12 years, the district has tried eight different executive directors, several leaving not because they necessarily wanted to. If the council did decide to take over responsibility for the board, voters most likely would have a say in a referendum.

With all the turmoil on the Park Board, what could the city offer in the way of leadership that board members can't seem to find on their own? Would the city being doing more than saving money? What are the pros and cons to this kind of decision?

One good thing you can say about the Naperville Park District--it's actively promoting public participation in plans to overhaul the venerable Centennial Beach. (Now, if only it could keep an executive director around, but that's another story.)

Architects want to know what you think, and park staff will conduct guided tours Wednesday between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. and from 6 to 7 p.m. The changing rooms and main park building need mechanical upgrades, but the historic integrity of the 1931 building must be preserved, park officials say.

The district will also accept comments about the project via phone calls, e-mail and snail mail.

What improvements would you like to see made to Centennial Beach? What do you think of the park district's approach to the project?

Here we go again! Less than four months on the job, Naperville Park District Executive Director Daniel Betts is taking a leave of absence. It's been a revolving door of leaders over at the park district, with one controversy following another. The rest of the administration seem to be adept, but there's something about the director post lately.

Why do you think the park district is having such trouble keeping an executive director lately? Is it because the park board is factional and/or dysfunctional? Poor planning and policies? Just bad luck?