Evanston/Skokie School District 65’s closure of its lone magnet bilingual school may open opportunities for public park development. The Skokie Park District aims to acquire the closed Dr. Bessie Rhodes School of Global Studies property to expand Timber Ridge Park. This potential new parkland is located at 9040 Lawndale Avenue in Skokie, adjacent to the existing park.
The Skokie Park District plans to present a $53 million, 20-year bond referendum to voters on the upcoming Nov. 3 ballot. Funds from this could develop new Channelside Park South and enhance an existing park. The purchase and expansion of Bessie Rhodes is a separate matter, projected to cost $12.4 million. The park district is seeking grants to finance this project. If voters approve the referendum, property taxes will rise starting in 2027.
Though other buyers are interested, the Skokie Park District has received local support. Michelle Tuft, Executive Director, stated that local residents expressed interest in the park district’s involvement following the school’s closure. “When District 65 decided to close the school and sell it, we had a lot of residents in the area come forward and were interested in the Park District taking that property and doing something with it,” Tuft shared.
Even without the referendum’s approval, expansion could proceed if District 65 sells the property to the park district. To aid funding, the district’s Board voted to apply for an Open Space Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) grant on August 18. This grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources could provide up to $1.125 million, requiring a matching amount from the district.
Public presentations for the park’s preliminary design include features like a basketball court, recreation center, soccer field, playground, restrooms, walking path, and seating. Estimated project costs are around $7.7 million, not counting the $4.7 million school site purchase. Additional funding may involve contributions from state legislators and private donations.
If awarded the grant, the park district plans to apply for another $600,000 OSLAD development grant in 2027. These grants will significantly impact final design plans and budget estimates once the site goes on sale, which could take months.
The Bessie Rhodes School closure on June 5 resulted from staffing issues and budget cuts. For park district plans to proceed, District 65 must agree to sell the property. Tuft mentioned both the Skokie Park District and Evanston Township High School are interested buyers.
Community events have been held to gather public opinions on the potential park expansion. Over 800 people have signed an online petition advocating for the park district’s purchase. Petition organizer Nathan Lichtenstein emphasized the scarcity of available land for community resources, urging the preservation of this unique opportunity.