Suburb Closes Its Parks Department

LAKE VILLA, Ill. (STMW) - Lake Villa's Parks and Recreation Department is officially closed, with a public ceremony recognizing the efforts of former Director Greta Berna and the parks and recreation committee sealing the deal.

The Village Board last week presented a plaque and trustees thanked Berna and the founding members of the committee that organized eight years ago to offer recreation programs for all ages.

"Our committee wanted to be self-sustaining without becoming a separate taxing entity," said Berna, a founding committee member who later became the only paid village parks and recreation staff member. "But because it was not a park district the classes and programs were funded entirely by participants, and during the last couple of years our fees were not covering costs."

In an attempt to save the program, Berna sacrificed her salary for the last half of 2010. She had started out as a volunteer, logging in hundreds of hours finding instructors and class locations and organizing the program brochures.

"Greta was dedicated. We had to cut her salary last April because the programs were not generating enough revenue to pay her, but she was determined to make it work and she stayed on until the end of the year as a volunteer," said Mayor Frank Loffredo.

"I would like to say operating a recreation department without tax revenue can be done, it just can't work in an economic downturn," said Berna.

Loffredo said Lake Villa's programming could not compete with large neighboring park districts, especially in Lindenhurst and the Round Lake area.

"There is a reason park districts succeed. They have the tax revenue and staff to make it work," he said. But the committee has left a lasting mark on the village.

Organized in spring 2004, the committee was able to offer 27 classes by fall at various locations in the Lake Villa area. The long-term goal was to build a recreational facility and by 2006 the committee had helped secure an OSLAD grant to develop a park adjacent to the Lehmann Mansion. A referendum to build the center on property now known as Frank Loffredo Park failed in 2008.

Loffredo said it may have been all for the best with the economic downturn.

"I look at other municipalities trying to support big recreation centers that aren't working out because of the economy and I am thankful Lake Villa does not have that financial worry," he said.

"I love Lake Villa. Even though I was not born here, it has become my hometown," Berna said.

"It was a tremendous experience for me. I have had a ton of fun doing this and I learned we have an awesome community," she said.

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