BoardBrief

Updates from the Wilmette Park District

Board of Park Commissioners


P R O J E C T

P A R K S

& P L A Y

Project Parks and Play: Explore the Possibilities

SURVEY RESULTS ARE IN!

The consulting team working on Project Parks and Play has put together a summary of all the information heard through the first phase of public input, including an analysis of the 1,201 responses to the statistically valid, village-wide survey conducted by aQity Research and Insights. In April (and at tonight's Regular Board Meeting), they presented the results and analysis to Park District staff, project advisory panel, Board of Park Commissioners and the public. The consultants will seek input internally, and then re-engage the public at large for more input and direction. See the presentation here


This work is part of the Park District’s 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 about Project Parks and Play, please visit https://berrydunn.mysocialpinpoint.com/wilmetteparkdistrict

S U S T A I N A B I L I T Y


SUSTAINABILITY COORDINATOR REPORTS ON WILMETTE PARK DISTRICT PRACTICES

At the April 24 Committee-of-the-Whole meeting, Lucy Mellen, sustainability coordinator for Wilmette, presented a report about the Park District’s current practices in regard to sustainability. See a list of all Wilmette Park District sustainability practices to date here. During her first few months working in Wilmette, she has been gathering information and preparing to create a Sustainability Plan for the Board to consider later this year. See Mellen's full presentation here

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 April 24 Committee-of-the-Whole meeting, Andy Tinucci of Woodhouse Tinucci Architects presented his team’s initial findings regarding the structural integrity, masonry, landscaping and audio/visual components of Wallace Bowl. Tinucci also shared estimated costs to complete the work that would address all identified structural, masonry and landscaping issues, along with options to improve audio/visual components to enhance the audience experience while also better containing light and sound to reduce bleedover to nearby resident’s homes. The Ouilmette Foundation is committed to raising funds to pay for the work, and are discussing their approach to fundraising.


Following the presentation, the Committee agreed that Tinucci and Park District Staff should move forward with the planning process and refine details, scope, and cost estimates.


See Woodhouse Tinucci's Wallace Bowl presentation here

PLANNING PHASE

Consideration of Pickleball Courts

In April, the Board has received verbal and written communications from neighbors near Community Playfields, along with members of the pickleball playing community, expressing support for adding pickleball to the existing courts at the Playfields without building brand new courts north of the existing bank of northern courts.


Based on this input, the Board directed Park District staff to continue evaluating that concept exclusively. They asked questions about creating six pickleball courts on two tennis courts instead of four; adding acoustic material to mitigate noise; whether Village special use/zoning permits will be required; and reviewed estimated costs, closely looking for possible savings.


District staff confirmed with the Village of Wilmette that special use/zoning permits will not be necessary, as the footprint for the project will not change. Staff also presented a concept drawing to illustrate how six pickleball courts would fit on two tennis courts, noting that to get six courts to fit, the spacing around the courts will not meet USA Pickleball's minimum requirements, which means no official USA Pickleball tournaments could be held on those courts. Non-official tournament play is possible, however; and all expressed comfort with that limitation, and with the spacing of the courts as drawn. 


Sound specialist Dr. Tom Thunder has been engaged to perform a sound study in the court location, to help assess the value of the sound mitigation material, so a final decision related to that cost can be made with all the relevant information in hand.


The goal: finalize the plan and bids in time to complete construction in 2023. This would allow the District to utilize funds available as a result of their intergovernmental agreement with the Village of Wilmette for their recently completed stormwater project.


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

Engineers from Gewalt Hamilton and Associates have been busy working on the development of plans that add a sidewalk along Harbor Drive and reduce Middle Road to a non-vehicular path. This work includes survey work, sewer examination, and meeting with District staff. The plan: have bid documents ready this summer so construction can begin in September.

EXECUTION PHASE

West Park and Platform Tennis Club Enhancements

Construction began last week and has been progressing quickly. Demolition, excavation and site work is underway.


EXECUTION PHASE

Langdon Shoreline Protection Project

Consultants from SmithGroup presented their progress at the April Committee-of-the-Whole meeting on both a temporary access solution for the start of this summer, as well as the long-range plans. 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. View the presentation here


EXECUTION PHASE

Lakeview Center Renovation Project

The work is progressing at Lakeview: construction of the deck has begun, drywall is up, and work on windows, flooring, ceilings and other items continue. The anticipated date of occupancy for the building is mid to late May, allowing staff to get into the space and prepare for the summer operations.

COMPLETE!

Keay Nature Center Project

On April 22 at 10 am, the Park Board cut the ribbon to officially open Keay Nature Center's new path and natural play areas at our new Earth Day event. The project is complete!


COMPLETE!

Community Playfields Restroom Project

The new restrooms are now open to the public! Grounds around the structure will be landscaped.

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, May 8 at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Village Hall at 1200 Wilmette Avenue, Wilmette. NOTICE: There will be a Special Meeting at 7:30 immediately prior to the Regular Meeting, and the Annual Meeting will be held immediately after that.


Next Committee-of-the-Whole meeting: Monday, May 22 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.

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Wilmette Board of Park Commissioners:



Mike Murdock

President

email


Kara Kosloskus

Vice President

email


Lindsay Anderson

Commissioner

email


Cecilia Clarke

Commissioner

email


Patrick Duffy

Commissioner

email


Allison Frazier

Commissioner

email


Julia Goebel

Commissioner

email



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Get the Details


View Agenda Packets for the April 10 and 24 Meetings



Watch the April 10 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


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