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Macomb, IL – A Macomb Park Commissioner says there is a simple reason why the relationship between the park district and the city improved this year.
Jim Bloom said the change came about when Mick Wisslead left the mayor's office.
Bloom said new Mayor Mike Inman made a concerted effort to build bridges instead of walls.
"The working relationship with the city is 180-degrees out of phase from where it was," Bloom said during the park board's December meeting.
"It's a good working relationship. Trust has been demonstrated on both sides."
The latest example of that newfound trust is the new two-year agreement on Spring Lake Park. Both the city council and the park board unanimously approved it this week.
The city will pay the park district $75,000 per year to maintain Spring Lake. It's the same amount the city has been paying the park district, but Bloom is confident the two sides can now work through any unforseen issues that might change the cost of operating the park.
The city owns Spring Lake and adjoining land. The park district maintains the site and owns nearby property.
Park Board President John Hemingway said the two sides held some very good meetings throughout the entire negotiation process.
"Although what we're doing here is extending an existing agreement, think of it as the springboard for further conversations and what we hope will be further improvements in facilities and programs at Spring Lake," Hemingway said.
The park district and city are also working together to keep Glenwood Pool open while they determine a variety of issues regarding whether a new pool and recreation center should be built.