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

SmithGroup continues its work on the design of the shoreline revetment, access path, and landscaping at Langdon Beach. They attended the November 27 Committee of the Whole (COW) meeting to update the Board and public on plan developments including a project timeline, proposed lifeguard hut location, entrance improvements, and planting philosophy and design. View their November 27 presentation here

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

-Learn more about the Langdon project here

COMPLETION PHASE

West Park Platform Tennis Club Enhancements

On November 11, members of the Board of Park Commissioners and Park District staff cut the ribbon to officially re-open the updated Platform Tennis Club and celebrate the project's completion. Two new courts have been built; the club's six original platform tennis courts were resurfaced; all courts received a lighting upgrade with shields to better contain light; and, the expanded paddle hut is finished and open for players to enjoy.

COMPLETION PHASE

Community Playfields Pickleball Courts are Open for Play!

During the first week in November, new pickleball courts opened at Community Playfields, next to the tennis courts. The nets will be up as long as pickleball can be played. Color coating on the court surface will be completed in the spring.

A D D I T I O N A L

U P D A T E S

• On October 27, the Illinois Historic Sites Advisory Council voted to recommend the nomination for Gillson Park and Wilmette Harbor for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. The next step is for the State Historic Preservation Office to forward the nomination to the Keeper of the National Register in Washington. The Keeper will make a final determination in December.

Landmarks Illinois has been instrumental in this process. On November 2, they presented a virtual lecture about the history of our treasured Gillson Park, and the Wilmette Harbor. To view the presentation, click here

• On November 8, the Wilmette Park District and Upland Design held a community open house at the Mallinckrodt Center to share the near-complete landscape plan for Gillson. To view the presentation, go here

• At the November 13 Regular Meeting, the Board approved an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) to allow for Cook County to release $40,000 in funds allocated through the Invest in Cook program to conduct a bike trail feasibility study. The Park District will develop the study in conjunction with the Village of Wilmette, the City of Evanston, and two community-based nonprofit groups. The study, slated to take place in 2024, will explore a connective bike trail from Sheridan Road to McCormick Avenue along the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District canal.

• As part of the Project Parks and Play comprehensive and strategic planning process, consultants from BerryDunn attended the November 27 COW meeting to facilitate continued discussion among the Board as they work toward defining the Wilmette Park District’s mission, vision, guiding principles and strategic priorities. The Board achieved consensus on several concepts, and anticipate completion of this component of the Plan by the end of the year. To learn more about Project Parks and Play, go here

• Budget Planning Continues: Park District staff have been very busy working on budgets for 2024. Over the past three years, District operations have evolved tremendously through the pandemic and significant staff changes. Moving forward into 2024, District staff and the Board of Park Commissioners are carefully examining how District programs and facilities can run more efficiently in light of a significant rise in costs due to inflation, and the desire to hold pricing for programs and facilities as low as possible. There will be an additional Committee of the Whole "Budget Workshop" meeting on Monday, December 4 at 5:30 pm at the Mallinckrodt Center. The 2024 budget will be approved in January.

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, December 11 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 December meeting:

• Monday, December 4 at 5:30 p.m. at the Mallinckrodt Center, 1041A Ridge Road (side entrance), Wilmette
• Monday, December 18 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.