User:Rule300/Collinsville Area Recreation District (CARD)

Collinsville Area Recreation District (CARD)

The Collinsville Area Recreation District (CARD) is a special purpose district that governs recreation activity for city of Collinsville, Illinois and other surrounding communities. CARD was established on November 13, 1990 and is governed by 5 unpaid, elected officials that serve six-year terms and make up the board of commissioners. CARD offers a multitude of services such as children’s camps, seasonal special events like Daddy Daughter Date Night, Breakfast with the Bunny, Heritage Day and Hoedown, Breakfast with Santa, adult and child fitness classes, dance and karate classes, and outdoor and educational programs. CARD is a municipal corporation, a taxing body with the power to levy taxes and sell bonds, and is able to purchase, maintain and sell property with a majority vote from the board. CARD operates many properties including Glidden Park, Woodland Park, Schnuck Memorial Park, Jaycee Sports Complex and Arlington Greens Golf Course. However, CARD also owns facilities not considered to be traditional parks such as the Miner's Institute, Splash City Family Waterpark, and Willoughby Heritage Farm and Conservation Reserve.

Creation and Legal Foundation
Under Illinois Complied Statute 70 ILCS 1205, “any territory having less than 500,000 population… may be in an incorporated park district..” The requirements outlined by this statue are first that a petition and outline of the proposed park district must be reviewed by a judge. If the proposal meets the requirements set forth by the state, a referendum is then held by a ballot initiative at which time voters can vote for or against the proposed district. On November 6, 1990 the ballot initiative that put forth for the creation of CARD was approved. The number of park commissioners is outlined in 70 ILCS 1205 and is set at five, unless otherwise set via ballot initiative. These commissioners serve six year terms, but all other organizational structure is under the discretion of the district. CARD’s taxing authority extends to the boundary of the Collinsville Township as well as the City of Collinsville. It has properties located in Collinsville as well as Maryville and unincorporated Madison County (Arlington Greens). Revenue is raised through user fees and property taxes. The 2010 property tax rate is 0.592200 per $100.

Glidden Park
Glidden Park is a 30 acre park located at Branch Street and Lebanon Road in Collinsville. It is well known for its steep hills that are often used for winter sledding. The park also has three tennis courts, an inline hockey rink, a basketball court, pavilion, as well as a R/C racetrack for small remote control toy vehicles.

Jaycee Sports Complex
The Jaycee Sports Complex is located at 198 Complex Drive in Collinsville. The complex is 17 acres and consists of 12 baseball fields, a football field, as well as six soccer fields. The complex is often used for little league play as well as adult leagues.

Pleasant Ridge Park
Pleasant Ridge Park is a 50 acre property located at 1345 Pleasant Ridge Road in Maryville. CARD acquired this property in March 2007 and in December 2007 created a master plan to create the park. In October 2011, phase one of the master plan was completed and included infrastructure, and one park site with a pavilion, playground equipment and restroom facilities. Phase two of the master plan includes three additional park sites and connecting the park to the Madison County Transit Schoolhouse Bike Trail. The total cost of renovations is planned to be around $1 million.

Woodland Park
Woodland Park is a 49.5 acre park located on Pine Lake Road in Collinsville. The park is home to the Arthur Fletcher Field where the Collinsville Kahoks play their home baseball games. The park was formerly used for a landfill, but is now only used for recreation activities. The park also has a small amphitheater, a lake with fishing pier, three baseball fields, playgrounds, as well as a Frisbee golf course. The park hosts the International Horseradish Festival on the first weekend in June each year.

Arlington Greens Golf Course
Arlington Greens is an 18-hole, public golf facility located at 200 Arlington Drive in unincorporated Madison County but the property has a Granite City mailing address. The facility was purchased in 2007 and hosts golf scrambles and tournaments, as well as groups and private lessons. A small banquet room is available for social gatherings. Like with all CARD facilities and programs, residents living in the District boundaries enjoy a lower rate for lessons and golf fees.

Miner’s Institute
The Miner's Institute is a historic building located in Uptown Collinsville. It is a 65 x 148, three-story building that was funded through donations from unionized miners in the community. Each miner in the union contributed one percent of his annual income to fund the construction, and the building was opened in 1918. In August of 1985, the building was classified as a historic structure by the National Register of Historic Places. CARD acquired the building in 2008 from the non-profit group, Miner’s Institute Foundation, and is currently working to renovate the building. Phase one of the renovations was completed in May 2011 for about $754,000 and plans for phase two are currently stalled.

Splash City Family Waterpark
Splash City Family Waterpark is a one acre water park located at 10 Gateway Drive in Collinsville. The park was purchased by CARD in 1997. Splash City is the only water park in the area with a FlowRider surf simulator, which pumps 36,000 gallons of water over an inclined trampoline-like pad, creating a never-ending wave for customers to surf on. The park also has a lazy river, two 30’ water slides, a feature called Monsoon Mountain that has various water slides and waterfalls, a children's pool and traditional swimming lanes.

Willoughby Heritage Farm and Conservation Reserve
Willoughby Heritage Farm is located at 631 Willoughby Lane in Collinsville. The farm and surrounding 30+ acres of land was purchased by CARD in 2003 and has been actively renovated. The property, which is open to the public much like a traditional park, includes two historic barns, the original farm house, live animals like chickens and goats, and antique farm tools and equipment. The property includes hiking trails that extend into the wooded area. CARD hosts two major special events at Willoughby Farm each year; Heritage Day and Hoedown in May and Fall Farm Day and Rock the Barn concert in October. Various groups, including the University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners and local boy scout troops conduct a variety of projects and offer volunteer opportunities at Willoughby Farm throughout the year.