Glendale Hts. agrees to share programs with Countryside.(News)

Children in Glendale Heights and Glen Ellyn Countryside attend the same schools. Now they can share park programs at the same price.
An agreement between the village of Glendale Heights and the Glen Ellyn Countryside Park District allows residents of unincorporated Glen Ellyn Countryside to pay village resident rates for village park programs.In return, Glendale Heights residents can use a meeting room in the Glen Ellyn Countryside Park District building for some activities.

The biggest motivation for the agreement was so that children who already share school activities such as sports can play together in park programs, said Cecelia Sullivan, director of parks and recreation in Glendale Heights. About 400 Glen Ellyn Countryside residents participate in Glendale Heights park programs. Sullivan said she hopes that number will double.

Savings for nonresidents will vary, including about $10 for some programs and to up to 50 percent off other programs. For example, nonresidents will save $52 on the fall preschool program that would have cost them $322 before the agreement, Sullivan said.

Meeting room availability benefits the village by freeing up space in the Glendale Heights Sports Hub, said Larry Giampa, village trustee and chair of the parks and recreation committee. The new location also is an advantage for senior groups because they can park close to the building and will not have to walk up stairs.
The agreement does not give the village use of the meeting room at all times, said Anne Safko, Glen Ellyn Countryside park board president.

Residents still will be allowed to sign up for program a week before nonresidents.
Giampa said he hopes this partnership will lead to more cooperation between the village and Glen Ellyn Countryside with activities such as senior bus trips and youth athletics consolidating.

After working under the agreement for one year, board members will decide whether it will continue.
Wong, Wailin