BoardBrief

Updates from the Wilmette Park District

Board of Park Commissioners

June 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

Gillson Park Infrastructure Improvements

At their June 10 regular meeting, the Board of Park Commissioners approved the low bid for Gillson infrastructure work from Abbey Construction Company. The work is scheduled to begin right after Labor Day. Through the summer, project engineers and Park District staff will continue to finalize required permitting.


PLANNING PHASE

Langdon Shoreline Protection Project

Also at the June 10 meeting, the low bid for the Langdon project was approved and awarded to John Keno & Company. Similar to Gillson, this project is scheduled to start right after Labor Day, and the project engineers and District staff are working to secure the necessary permits.


PLANNING PHASE

Solar Panel Project at the

Community Recreation Center

Since their onsite meeting with District staff in April, the energy company has been working to develop engineering drawings. Once those are developed, another meeting will be held at the CRC to review the plans.


PLANNING PHASE

Hibbard Park Court Update

At their June 24 Committee of the Whole meeting, commissioners discussed recent input from the Wilmette Pickleball Association and agreed to delay current plans to construct hybrid tennis/pickleball courts at Hibbard Park. In light of interest in building dedicated pickleball-only courts at that location, and an opportunity to receive Open Space Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) grant funds for the project, the Board elected to push court construction work into 2025. Work was originally scheduled to begin in late July or early August of this year.


The courts are only part of improvements under consideration for Hibbard Park: on June 24, approximately 25 residents attended a public meeting in the park to discuss a list of update options, such as native plantings, an outdoor fitness station, baseball field improvements and much more. Attendees helped District staff narrow down the list. Another public meeting focusing on favorite updates is scheduled for July 22.

A D D I T I O N A L

U P D A T E S

PROJECT PARKS AND PLAY: At the June 24 Committee of the Whole meeting, consultants from BerryDunn presented a final "design draft" of the District's 5-year Strategic and 10-year Comprehensive Plans. The Board will review these documents and provide input, and could adopt the final plans as early as July 8, at the Board's regular meeting. View the draft plans here.

REGISTRATION PROCESS REPORT: Also at the June 24 meeting, a consultant from Public Communications, Inc. (PCI) presented results from two recent discussion groups and a community survey regarding the District's program registration process. PCI identified several points throughout the registration process where improvements will make an impact. Park District staff has already begun work on some improvements, such as updates to the District's Registration Portal interface. In the coming weeks, District staff will share a report on planned and completed improvements.

SOUTH BEACH UPDATE: The Wilmette Park District Board of Park Commissioners and District staff thank those who have shared their thoughts about South Beach through calls, emails, or Board meetings. The District has updated the South Beach FAQ document with answers to recent questions they have received.


The Park District will continue to evaluate the plan throughout the summer; they are listening to feedback and making adjustments where they can. At several Board meetings, many residents offered to work with District staff to find a fresh solution to keep visitors and staff safe while increasing access to the Beach. Please continue to share your ideas and suggestions with Steve Wilson at swilson@wilpark.org. Click here to read the updated South Beach FAQ

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, July 8 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, July 22 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.

Mallinckrodt Park

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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


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Get the Details


View Agenda Packets for the June 10 and 24 Board Meetings



Watch the June 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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