Voters support Northfield Park District’s expansion plans

The second time was the charm for the Northfield Park District.

The park district’s referendum — where it asked voters to allow the district to raise its limiting tax rate by 0.1 of a percentage point, or 50% more than the current number — passed on Tuesday according to unofficial results from Cook County. With all precincts reporting, 739 voters, or almost 58%, supported the referendum with 543 voting against.

As previously reported by The Record, the district is projecting that increase will bring in an additional $600,000, which will be used to fund the 2023 master plan, a document that was informed by resident feedback and focused on expansion and amenities.

“We are thrilled,” Park Board President Bridget Kennedy said following the results. “The residents have spoken, and we can get working on the comprehensive  master plan.”

This was the second time the Northfield Park District had gone to voters with the referendum. In April 2025, the measure failed by just 32 votes. But park district officials said at the time that the narrow margin led them to decide to try again.

Kennedy said much of the past year was spent reaching out to residents and informing them about the referendum and what it would mean for the parks.

“Starting in June, starting at Market & Music (a community event), we were out every week,” she said. “We had a booth which talked to residents about the comprehensive master plan, what we would like to do, what residents wanted, how can we achieve this.”

It was decided that a referendum was the most fiscally responsible way of funding the plan.

“And I think residents understood that,” Kennedy said. “I think this time around, we were able to get out more, talk with residents, make connections.”

Some projects the referendum is expected to fund include a rec center expansion, a pocket park, and outdoor restrooms at Willow Park.

Kennedy thanked the voters for coming out to support the referendum.

“I’d like to say thank you to the Northfield residents for putting their trust in us that this is the responsible financial move forward,” she said. “We appreciate their confidence in us to execute the plan and to do what’s right by the residents. And we just are glad that everybody came out and made their voice heard tonight.”

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