August Board Brief

Board Brief

Highlights from the July 25 Committee of the Whole Meeting and the August 8 Regular Monthly Meeting of the Wilmette Park District Board of Park Commissioners

Project Phase Categories:

Our project work moves through a process that's broken into four phases: Defining, Planning, Execution and Completion. To read detailed descriptions of each project phase, view page 8 of the June 27 Committee of the Whole meeting agenda here

Status Updates

Projects in the Defining Phase:

Consideration of Pickleball Courts

At the July 25 Committee of the Whole (COW) Meeting, the Park Board discussed our community's enthusiasm for pickleball, and committed to moving forward with exploring how to bring pickleball to Wilmette as soon as possible. In upcoming meetings, Park District staff will present research and information to help the Board define the next steps.

Consideration of Wallace Bowl Restoration

Also at the July 25 Committee of the Whole Meeting, Woodhouse Tinucci Architects presented a Wallace Bowl Conditions Report, identifying areas in need of repair or upgrade. The presentation is on page 27 of the July 25 Committee of the Whole Meeting packet, here.

Projects in the Planning Phase:

Langdon Shoreline Protection Project

After listening to feedback from residents in recent weeks about this project, the Board requested that engineers from SmithGroup walk the Board through an updated presentation at the August 8 Regular Board Meeting. SmithGroup recapped the history of the project, current plans, and additional options for proceeding with the project. Following an extensive conversation about bluff stabilization, safety, access, and how to preserve the natural character of the park and bluff, the Board requested that SmithGroup prepare modified concepts more sensitive to preservation of the park's naturescape.

View SmithGroup's presentation on page 59 of the August 8 Board Meeting agenda here.

Gillson Park Comprehensive Plan

A survey regarding Gillson's roadways was sent to 21,737 e-mail addresses in our database and posted to our social media outlets, the Park District’s homepage and two other pages within the website that relate to projects and to Gillson specifically. The survey is open through Friday, August 26. Take the survey here. We anticipate receiving results to share at the next Regular Monthly Board Meeting in September.

Keay Nature Center Renovation

Engineers are completing the necessary documents to facilitate the public bid process for the project. The bid documents will be issued in August, and presented for Board approval at the September Regular Monthly Board Meeting. The estimated project start date is late September, with an estimated completion date of late October. Learn more about the Keay Nature Center project in July's Board Brief, here.

West Park and Platform Tennis Club Enhancements

Work is continuing to facilitate the installation of two paddle courts. Specifications for lighting controls and landscaping are complete, and the details of moving utilities to make room for the courts, and permitting, is ongoing. We anticipate that bid documents will be issued in August, and we will recommend a bid for Board approval at the September Regular Monthly Board Meeting. In addition, Park District staff are actively working to satisfy special-use permit conditions from the Village of Wilmette: a letter was mailed to residences surrounding West Park last week, with an update on our progress. Currently, we are in the process of creating additional signage throughout the Platform Tennis Club facility with consistent language; creating a second wave of communication to players; and waiting for the fall league schedule to submit to the village of Wilmette.

Projects in the Execution Phase:

Lakeview Center Renovation Project

A detailed construction schedule is being prepared, and construction is slated to begin in September.

Community Playfields Bathroom Project/Water Fountains

The Community Playfields bathroom sewer line and plumbing inspection are complete, and construction is moving forward. Our Building Team has installed a new water fountain on the outside of Wilmette Junior High School.

Golf Club Grille Room Renovation

Construction teams are making great progress: the bar has been installed, our staff installed the wood flooring and six pendant lights over the bar, and The Lawn restaurant is preparing to open in the coming weeks.

Projects in the Completion Phase:

Maple Park Playground

The playground is open! On Monday, August 8, the community gathered to celebrate with a fun ribbon-cutting event, complete with maple-themed crafts and treats. See the Chicago Tribune article about the event here.

Around the Park District

Our Parks Crew completed ballfield maintenance at Howard Park, cleanup work at Maple Park, turf maintenance and routine tree pruning.

Our Building Crew converted 40 lights from fluorescent to LED within the Community Recreation Center. The Park District's power consumption of 5,120 watts has been reduced to 1,440 watts, for a savings of 3,680 watts.

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

Next Committee of the Whole meeting: Monday, August 22 at 6:30 p.m. at the Mallinckrodt Center, 1041a Ridge Road in Wilmette (side entrance)

Next Regular Monthly Board meeting: Monday, September 12 at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Village Hall at 1200 Wilmette Avenue, Wilmette.

All meetings are open to the public. Details are posted on the Park Board page on our website.

Meetings will be available on Channel 6 locally for Comcast subscribers. View a live meeting online here, or view previous meeting recordings here. Please check our website often for updates.