Macomb park commissioners held a public hearing last week on a proposal to sell $765,000 in general obligation park bonds. Park Director Blake Severs said the money would be used for land or district operations costs. There were no district residents present to offer comments at the public hearing.
In other business, the Macomb Park Board witnessed presentation of the annual Marjorie Connor Spirit Award. McDonough County Special Recreation Association coordinator Allie Foster said the late Connor was active in the MCSRA and in Special Olympics. She said the family has funded the annual award in Connor's memory.
Foster said this year's award winner is Lynn Aten. She described Aten as 'always active and ready to go' in Special Olympics and MCSRA activities.
In reporting financial business, District Treasurer Phil Weiss said that, at the end of September, the district general fund totaled $332,935 and that there was $498,458 in the consolidated project fund. Weiss said the district has received 62 percent of its 2025 property tax distributions.
Severs announced that Stephen Druse has been hired as park support superintendent. He said a marketing firm has been chosen for a community promotion campaign.
The park director reported 'a great turnout' for the Touch-A-Truck event and softball games at Veterans Park. Severs said there were 'good vibes' as the Ball Fore Family Entertainment Center closed for the season. He said younger people have been drawn to Ball Fore, with 2,500 playing miniature golf, 1,300 using the batting cages, and 225 people playing park golf.
Severs said the Lakeview Nature Center Prairie Pumpkin Hunt continues, and that the annual Pumpkin Smash would take place November 8 at Veterans Park. He said 3,500 pounds of smashed pumpkins were recycled last year.
Park Board President Neil Armstrong said warmer weather in early October resulted in greater public participation. 'Our parks were booming with people,' he said. Armstrong said he took advantage of the good weather by doing some fishing in park ponds.
The park board voted to approve the sale of surplus property. Severs said this includes a wood chipper, a field striper, and car seats that had been removed from the district's transit van.
