Dear Neighbors,

Our specific ask is for the City of Elmhurst to ENTER INTO AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT WITH THE ELMHURST PARK DISTRICT.

With only 6% of Elmhurst remaining as open space, we are disheartened to learn that the city is considering selling one of its "land assets" to a developer. 

This land was gifted to the City of Elmhurst by the Elmhurst Hospital. A covenant protecting this space expires in April 2025, so we need to act now to save it. 

This undeveloped green space is a tranquil oasis used by residents of all ages for yoga, picnics, sports, tree climbing, Easter egg hunts, sledding, dog walking, safe passage to Field Elementary School and more. Home to more than 100 trees, this space is natural stormwater management, as well as habitat for wild creatures and critical pollinator populations. 

In 2021, Elmhurst City Council began assessing its land assets. In early 2023, the City narrowed its focus to parcels with development potential — including this green space — that could be sold to pay down stormwater debt. In September 2023, Council passed a sales tax increase of half a percentage point, expected to raise $4 million a year, to pay for past and upcoming stormwater projects.

With stormwater debt accounted for, the City of Elmhurst is now looking for funds to pay for a new police station (estimated at $48M), a new Metra station (in addition to grant funding, another $48M needed) and a new/expanded Public Works garage. There will always be something within the City that needs funding.

The City estimates the land and potential tax revenue from 10-12 buildable lots is $5M-$6M, but we believe both those numbers are highly inflated. Once Avon Road is expanded to meet Fire Codes, the sale could result in a financial loss for the City. https://www.facebook.com/groups/keepelmhurstgreen/files/files

Community feedback overwhelmingly supports saving this space. Additionally, residents suggest it is disingenuous for the City to attempt to profit from the sale of land which was gifted, especially considering it may at best have a minimal financial impact, and at worst be fiscally irresponsible. The value of this green space is immeasurable.

The Elmhurst Park District has expressed interest in entering into an intergovernmental agreement for the green space, to ensure it remains open space, requiring no additional financial commitment beyond routine maintenance.

Please take immediate action and sign this petition:

City of Elmhurst: ENTER INTO AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT WITH THE ELMHURST PARK DISTRICT to save this green space.  

WHY SAVE THIS SPACE?
According to the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy’s Open Space Conservation: Investing in Your Community’s Economic Health, open space:

--  Is crucial to a community’s economic health
--  Provides multiple environmental benefits
--  Increases quality of life
--  Mitigates flooding
--  Protects natural habitats and biodiversity
--  Increases energy efficiency for surrounding homes
--  Increases carbon capture
--  Improves air quality
--  Reduces noise pollution
--  Reduces the heat island
--  Increases property values in adjacent neighbors, bringing higher tax revenue
--  Prevents rising costs of public infrastructure and services associated with growth, including schools, police and fire protection, roads and sewers.

Here are further steps you can take if you live in Elmhurst:

--  Join the KEEP ELMHURST GREEN Facebook and/or Instagram pages, and scroll through to learn more about our advocacy efforts. 
--  Email your Elmhurst aldermen to advocate for this space: https://elmhurst.org/government/city_council__elected_officials/council_members.php  Don’t know which ward you live in? See this ward map: https://elmhurst-il.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/basic/index.html?appid=9c9cb26ef0684bbd877543354e4896bb  Please bcc: keepelmhurstgreen@gmail.com
--  Speak at upcoming City Council meetings.
--  Spread the word to your friends and neighbors.
--  Purchase a Keep Elmhurst Green yard sign: https://keep-elmhurst-green.spiritsale.com/
--  Subscribe to email updates, or send questions/comments: keepelmhurstgreen@gmail.com.

THANK YOU for your advocacy to Keep Elmhurst Green!