T H A N K

Y O U

Project Parks and Play: Explore the Possibilities

THANK YOU FOR PARTICIPATING IN OUR COMMUNITY-WIDE SURVEY!

The Wilmette Park District Project Parks and Play: Explore the Possibilities survey closed on March 13, and the response was fantastic. Approximately 1,200 households from Wilmette returned the survey to the Park District’s research partner, aQity Research.

During the next few weeks, aQity Research will analyze the results and they will be presented during an upcoming Board meeting.

The public feedback and survey components are part of the Park District’s larger comprehensive and strategic planning initiative, a dynamic long-term planning process that provides a guide for future growth and development for our parks and facilities, recreation programs, and operations to help us meet future needs. 

For more information on the Project Parks and Play initiative, please visit https://berrydunn.mysocialpinpoint.com/wilmetteparkdistrict

P R O J E C T

U P D A T E S

Project Phases:

Our project work moves through a process that's broken into four phases: Defining, Planning, Execution and Completion. For detailed definitions of of each project phase, go here.

DEFINING PHASE

Consideration of Wallace Bowl Renovation

At the last Ouilmette Foundation meeting, Andy Tinucci of Woodhouse Tinucci Architects presented a first look at the findings from structural, masonry, landscape, and audio/visual experts, along with some high-level budget estimates for consideration, as the Foundation has expressed an interest in helping to fund the project. As a result of this conversation, the presentation is being augmented with additional data and will be presented to the Board of Park Commissioners at the April Regular Board meeting.

PLANNING PHASE

Consideration of Pickleball Courts

At the March 20 Committee-of-the-Whole meeting, two concepts and pricing estimates for Community Playfields were presented to the Board:

• The first concept was the same as discussed in a previous meeting, where the southern bank of existing tennis courts would be converted to pickleball courts, and a new bank of tennis courts would be built north of the existing northern bank of tennis courts.
• The second concept would convert two of the tennis courts in the southern bank of existing tennis courts, keeping one tennis court in this bank, and not building any new courts north of the existing northern bank of tennis courts. This would reduce the number of tennis courts to four, and provide six pickleball courts. See both layouts beginning on page 20 of the March 20 Committee-of-the-Whole meeting Agenda here.

After discussing the options, considering excellent resident input, and receiving staff assurance that Park District programs can adapt to fewer courts, the second concept (where no new pavement would be poured) was unanimously considered the best solution. Staff will now proceed with closer examination of parking, drainage and sound mitigation.

**While focus narrowed on Community Playfields for expediency, many more potential options to bring pickleball to Wilmette are in conversation. For much more detail about Park District research and discussion with regard to pickleball, we encourage you to read 2023 Agenda Packets and Minutes from 2003 meetings here, and past issues of Board Brief here.**

PLANNING PHASE

Gillson Park Comprehensive Plan Projects

No new updates in March.

PLANNING PHASE

West Park and Platform Tennis Club Enhancements

Permits for construction are under review with the Village of Wilmette. We are hopeful that work will begin in April.

EXECUTION PHASE

Langdon Shoreline Protection Project

Consultants from SmithGroup will attend the April Committee-of-the-Whole meeting to present their progress on both a temporary access solution for the start of this summer, as well as the long-range plans as directed by the Board previously. They are working on both plans concurrently. The temporary access concept is on track, as SmithGroup was able to create a concept that stayed above the historical high water mark, allowing for a quicker and simpler review process by regulatory agencies.

EXECUTION PHASE

Lakeview Center Renovation Project

The Lakeview Center is still on track to open in time to host summer programs and camps.

EXECUTION PHASE

Keay Nature Center Project

On April 22 at 10 am, the Park Board will cut the ribbon to officially open Keay Nature Center's new path and nature play areas. A new community Earth Day event will immediately follow.

EXECUTION PHASE

Community Playfields Restroom Project

The new restrooms will open by April 15 to coincide with the beginning of the spring soccer season. The grounds around the structure are muddy, and will be roped off to allow for seeds to grow and plantings to establish.

A D D I T I O N A L

B U S I N E S S

MEMORIAL PROGRAM RESEARCH DISCUSSED

At the March 20 Committee-of-the-Whole meeting, staff provided research regarding 16 different park district memorial programs. The research served as a catalyst for discussion about the Wilmette Park District's current program (which has been on hold), which installs physical plaques at the base of trees. The Board and District staff are examining alternate methods to honor loved ones in our parks. View the research on page 28 of the March 20 Committee-of-the-Whole meeting agenda packet here.

GILLSON PARK/NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES

View correspondence, images and documents supporting Landmark Illinois' nomination to list Gillson Park in the National Register of Historic Places beginning on page 127 of the March 13 Board Regular Meeting agenda packet here.

TREES & LANDSCAPE BEDS

This spring, Parks staff will plant 48 trees within Vattmann (8), Howard (4), Community Playfields (16), Hibbard (10), Maple (2)

and Centennial (8) parks.

The team will also work on the landscape beds at Community Playfields, West Park, Mallinckrodt, Centennial, Community Recreation Center and Lakeview Center.

OUILMETTE FOUNDATION GENEROUSLY FUNDS PARK DISTRICT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

At the March 13 Regular Board meeting, Jeff Doblin, Ouilmette Foundation treasurer, presented the Park Board with a check for $20,000 for the Wilmette Park District Scholarship Fund. The Board and staff thank the Foundation for its generosity and hard work on our behalf.

A C C E S S

To view Agendas and Minutes from past Board meetings, click here. Minutes are posted after they are approved the following month.

Next Regular Monthly Board meeting: Monday, April 10 at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Village Hall at 1200 Wilmette Avenue, Wilmette.

Next Committee-of-the-Whole meeting: Monday, April 24 at 6:30 p.m. in the Mallinckrodt Center "Big Room", 1041A Ridge Road, Wilmette.

All meetings are open to the public. Details are posted on the Upcoming Meetings page on our website.

Regular Monthly Board meetings are available to view live on Channel 6 locally for Comcast subscribers. View a live meeting online here, or view previous meeting recordings here (scroll down to "Wilmette Park District"). Please check our website often for updates.