§ 6-624 Acquisition of lands for parks, squares, athletic fields and
playgrounds. The board of trustees may, on behalf of the village, accept
by grant or devise a gift of land for a public park, square, athletic
field or playground, within the village or wholly within five miles of
the boundaries thereof, or may, if such land is outside of the village
and wholly within three miles of the boundaries thereof, upon the
adoption of a resolution by unanimous vote purchase such land
accordingly. If unable to agree with the owners for the purchase
thereof, the board of trustees on behalf of the village may acquire
title thereto by condemnation. If such land is within the village, the
board of trustees on behalf of the village may upon the adoption of a
resolution, purchase such land accordingly, or if unable to agree with
the owners for the purchase thereof, may acquire title thereto by
condemnation. The board of trustees may lease in the name of the
village, lands within the village or outside of such village and wholly
within three miles of the boundaries thereof for a public park, athletic
field or playground and may equip the same with suitable buildings,
structures and apparatus and may thereafter maintain and improve the
same at the expense of the village. The amount of such rent shall be
paid in annual installments commencing with the date of the lease. Upon
the acquition of land for the purposes of this section, either by gift,
purchase or lease, the board may establish and maintain the same for its
intended purposes and shall have the power to perform all the duties of
a separate board of park commissioners as provided for in this chapter.