BoardBrief

Updates from the Wilmette Park District

Board of Park Commissioners

August, 2024


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

Park District Prepares Application

for Grant to Fund Hibbard Upgrades

The Wilmette Park District’s Parks and Planning department, along with park designers from Upland Design, worked with park users this summer to identify an amenity “dream list” and create a plan to submit for an OSLAD grant to fund the dream.


OSLAD (Open Space Land Acquisition and Development) is a matching grant program that provides for the development of land for public parks and outdoor recreation areas. If awarded, the grant could fund up to 50 percent of the project.


At the August 26 Committee of the Whole (COW) meeting, the Board agreed on which amenities to include in the application. The proposed amenities include a new tot lot, picnic pavilion, north baseball field/fence updates, ADA- accessible water fountain, pollinator garden and conversion of current tennis courts to pickleball. Work is underway to submit the application by OSLAD's September 13 deadline.


PLANNING PHASE

Gillson Park Infrastructure Improvement Project Set to Begin

At the August 26 Committee of the Whole (COW) meeting, Commissioners reviewed plans for the pedestrian/auto/bicycle path along Harbor Drive. Preliminary work is set to begin on Tuesday, September 3. This project will continue throughout September and into 2025. Click here to learn all about the Gillson project; click here for the Gillson FAQ document.


PLANNING PHASE

Langdon Shoreline Protection

Project set to begin; Arborist review; Landscape Plan Approved

District staff and consultants from SmithGroup have secured final permits and maintenance begins Tuesday, September 3. The park and playground will remain open, but beach access will be restricted during construction. Additionally, a landscape plan for Langdon created by the District’s internal parks planner was approved on August 12. The plan will complement landscaping included in SmithGroup's Shoreline Protection and Beach Access Project. Click here to view the Langdon Park landscape plan. Click here to learn more about the Langdon Shoreline Protection and Beach Access project.


PLANNING PHASE

Park District Purchase

of Beth Hillel Property Final on August 28

The due diligence period the 4.8-acre property at 3220 Big Tree Lane, also known as Beth Hillel, is now complete. During this time, both the property and buildings were thoroughly evaluated. A lease agreement has been finalized with the synagogue, allowing them to continue using the building as they have in the past. Additionally, the District will take over two existing leases on the property: the first with a day school that has been operating there for decades, and the second for a Mikvah, shared by multiple synagogues. The closing date for sale of the property was completed on August 28. Discussion about specific plans for this property will begin in 2025.

A D D I T I O N A L

U P D A T E S

SOUTH BEACH : The fence at South Beach will be removed shortly after the conclusion of the 2024 swim season. This information along with much more can be found on the Wilmette Park District’s website in the FAQ document. Between the end of the 2024 swim season and the start of the 2025 season, operational suggestions made by the public, staff input, and board direction and guidance will all be considered when determining how South Beach is managed in 2025. The Wilmette Park District continues to welcome public input regarding South Beach. Please continue to share your ideas and suggestions with Steve Wilson at swilson@wilpark.org.


Langdon Park : Starting Tuesday, September 3 Langdon Beach will be closed during construction. The park and playground will remain open during this time. The overall goal of the Langdon Shoreline Protection and Access Project is to preserve Langdon beach for future generations and provide safe access to the beach while preserving and enhancing its original natural character.

Click here to learn more about the Langdon Shoreline Protection and Beach Access project.

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.


Please Note:

In September, October, November and December, the Board will hold a special Committee of the Whole Meeting to discuss the 2025 budget at 6:30 pm prior to the regular board meeting at the Council Chambers of the Village Hall at 1200 Wilmette Avenue, Wilmette.


Next Regular Monthly board meeting: Monday, September 9 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, September 23 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.

_________________


Wilmette Board of Park Commissioners:



Kara Kosloskus

President

email


Patrick Duffy

Vice President

email


Cecilia Clarke

Commissioner

email


Allison Frazier

Commissioner

email


Julia Goebel

Commissioner

email


Patrick Lahey

Commissioner

email


Mike Murdock

Commissioner

email


Send correspondence to the entire Board of Park Commissioners at:

publiccomment@wilpark.org


View our Written Correspondence and Communications Policy here


_______________


Get the Details


View Agenda Packets for the August 12 and 26 Board Meetings



Watch the August 12 Regular Board Meeting on YouTube



Read Meeting Minutes

(Minutes are posted after Board approval, approximately one month after each meeting)

Wilmette Park District Administration Office:

1200 Wilmette Ave. 

Wilmette, IL 60091

847/256-6100

www.wilmettepark.org


_______


See what's happening on our social sites

Facebook  Instagram