It's Budget Season

The Wilmette Board of Park Commissioners and Park District leadership will meet regularly through December to plan the 2024 budget. The first meeting was October 23 and covered the Administrative, Parks and Planning and Golf budgets. The remaining sections will be reviewed as follows:

• November meetings: Recreation and capital budgets
• December meeting: Budget workshop
• January meeting: Budget approval

*see the November special meeting schedule at the bottom of this newsletter

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 each project phase, go here

PLANNING PHASE

Langdon Shoreline Protection and Beach Access Project

At their October 9 Regular Meeting, the Board approved a contract from SmithGroup to complete work on the chosen access path* and shoreline protection work at Langdon Beach. This contract covers detailed engineering drawings; acquisition of all necessary permits; documents needed to seek bids for construction; and landscaping of all ground impacted during construction. All areas not landscaped by SmithGroup will be designed and planted by the Park District. A landscape plan for the entire park is scheduled for completion by March 2024 to align with SmithGroups’s plan.

The current path to the beach has been approved by the Village of Wilmette to remain through August 2024. Construction for the permanent path and shoreline protection work is planned to begin in September 2024.

* See the selected path design (ORA2) here (slide 4)

-Learn more about the Langdon project here

PLANNING PHASE

CRC Solar Panel Installation Project

Also at the October 9 meeting, the Board reviewed a revised Power Purchase Agreement to install solar panels on the roof of the Community Recreation Center. The 25-year agreement was approved conditionally, pending clarification of language related to licensing.

EXECUTION PHASE

West Park Platform Tennis Club Enhancements

This Platform Tennis Club project includes expansion of the paddle hut and addition of two new courts.

In early October, the club's six original platform tennis courts were resurfaced, and two new courts opened for play. All courts received a lighting upgrade with shields to better contain light. The expanded paddle hut is near completion, and will be open for players to enjoy in early November.

A D D I T I O N A L

U P D A T E S

>>> At the October 23 Committee of the Whole meeting, the consulting team working on the District’s Comprehensive and Strategic Plan, Project Parks and Play, provided a review of work done to date, answered questions, and received input and direction from the Board. To learn more about Project Parks and Play, go here

>>> Park District Sustainability Coordinator Lucy Mellen hosted two Table Talks in Wilmette this month. Residents stopped by for casual conversation about sustainability, round 2 survey results, and the Sustainability Planning Process. The first Table Talk was held October 25 at Central Station Coffee and Tea, and the second one was held on October 26 at the Park District Community Recreation Center.

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, November 13 at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Village Hall at 1200 Wilmette Avenue, Wilmette.

Next Committee of the Whole meetings: Note additional November meetings:

• Wednesday, November 1 at 6:30 p.m. at the Mallinckrodt Center, 1041a Ridge Road (side entrance), Wilmette
• Monday, November 13 at 5:30 p.m. (before Regular Board Meeting) in the Wilmette Village Hall Training Room, 2nd floor, 1200 Wilmette Avenue, Wilmette
• Monday, November 27 at 6:30 p.m. at the Mallinckrodt Center, 1041a Ridge Road (side entrance), 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.