DeKALB – Park district leaders haven’t determined how much they might pay for Kiwanis Park or how any payments might be structured, but a property tax increase referendum is not likely.

“That’s a drawn out process, and I’m very sensitive to how the community feels about a referendum,” park district Executive Director Cindy Capek said. “... I’m not sure that would be something that would be supported by the community.”

Kiwanis Park, a 41-acre parcel owned by DeKalb School District 428 and maintained by the DeKalb Park District, has been at the heart of a controversial land swap proposal that would transfer ownership of the property to Geneva-based developer ShoDeen, in exchange for 33.46 acres of property near the new DeKalb High School. Kiwanis Park is the site of 14 youth soccer fields that primarily serve the AYSO league.