November Board Brief

Board Brief

Highlights from the October 24 Committee of the Whole Meeting and the

November 14 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. For detailed definitions of of each project phase, go here.

Status Updates

Projects in the Defining Phase:

Consideration of Pickleball Courts

In March, 2021 the Parks and Recreation Committee started a conversation regarding pickleball. In August, 2022 the Committee of the Whole (COW) elected to re-engage with the project within a new phased approach to Capital Improvement Projects. At the October 24 Committee-of-the-Whole meeting, Park District staff presented a summary of the information gathered over the past year and a half to support a defining phase conversation, including a comprehensive location analysis for outdoor pickleball courts in park locations. The Committee discussed the options and received input from community attendees. The Committee provided staff with more general criteria to help with the analysis of potential locations, and asked them to bring back recommendations the next time the topic is discussed. Find details of the summary and the location analysis on pages 30-46 of the COW meeting packet here.

Playground Equipment for Toddlers at Maple Park

The Park District celebrated the completion of Maple Park’s playground renovation earlier this year. In response to feedback from the community, the Park District is exploring the addition of equipment for children under the age of five. At the October 24 COW meeting, Superintendent Kristi Solberg presented options to the Committee and answered questions. See playground equipment options on pages 68-72 of the COW meeting packet here.

Projects in the Planning Phase:

Project Parks and Play: Explore the Possibilities

On October 31, the Park District kicked off its comprehensive planning initiative, Project Parks and Play. The plans created through this project will guide the next ten years for parks and facilities, recreational activities and operations at the Wilmette Park District. At the November 14 Regular Monthly Board Meeting, Executive Director Steve Wilson outlined all the ways they are reaching out to the community, to inspire as much participation as possible. Signage, resident mailers, social media and other means of communication have been deployed to spread the word.

The Park District hopes that residents will provide feedback throughout the process, including by attending a project OPEN HOUSE on Saturday, December 10, from 10 am to Noon at the Community Recreation Center. Resident input will help create a clear vision for the Park District's future. Residents can find details, share ideas and feedback, and view updates here.

Solar Panel Project at the Community Recreation Center

Following many discussions, submissions from two solar companies, and recently updated pricing to reflect current rates, Park District staff recommended the Board consider the installation of solar panels at the Community Recreation Center under a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). At the Committee-of-the-Whole meeting on October 24, the Committee reviewed a cost analysis and agreed the use of solar power is a priority in line with the Park District's commitment to long-term sustainability initiatives. Park District staff will now prepare a vendor agreement, and bring it to the Board for formal consideration and vote at the next Regular Board Meeting. See the description of a PPA, and cost analysis on pages 4 and 5 of the October 24 COW meeting packet here.

Langdon Shoreline Protection Project

Also at the October 24 COW meeting, Mark Wagstaff from SmithGroup walked the Committee through a detailed vegetation assessment and seven access concept alternatives, based on guidance provided by the Board of Park Commissioners at a prior Regular Board Meeting. Following public comment and discussion with Mr. Wagstaff, the Committee agreed to narrow down the seven options to three: B2, B3 or B5. See SmithGroup's presentation on pages 7-29 of the COW meeting packet here.

West Park and Platform Tennis Club Enhancements

Platform Tennis Court Construction: Park District staff have been working to understand why the engineer's bids for site work were higher than initial estimates. It has become clear that part of the difference is that the project scope has shifted: the scope now must include site work to prepare for future expansion of the paddle hut. Details of this information will be presented to the Board at a future meeting.

Projects in the Execution Phase:

Keay Nature Center Project

Earth work and removal of old materials is complete, and crews have begun restoring the path. Learn more about the Keay Nature Center project in July's Board Brief, here.

Lakeview Center Renovation Project

Lakeview Center renovation continues to run smoothly. Demolition of the lower patio concrete is complete, and many interior walls on the second floor have been removed.

Community Playfields Restroom Project

The bathroom and picnic shelter are at substantial completion; site work is scheduled to finish this month.

Thornwood Park Tennis Court Resurfacing

The courts are ready for crews to paint and coat the surface. Staff is monitoring the weather and with colder temperatures, this final phase of the project may be delayed until the spring.

Around the Park District

Parks crews provided bleachers to the Fire Department for their open house, worked the Wicked Wilmette event, installed snow fences at Gillson, mulched leaves, repaired memorial tree plaques, winterized water fountains, transitioned vehicles and equipment from summer operations to winter operations, and removed batting cage nets.

Building staff built the last sailing rack for Gillson Sailing Beach, replaced the sump pumps and the ejector pumps within the Golf Clubhouse, installed a chemical controller at Centennial Family Aquatic Center, completed Activity Pool repairs, and, on November 9, assisted with the installation of a car charging station at Village Hall.

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: A special budget meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, December 7 at 7 p.m. in the Mallinckrodt Center "Big Room," 1041A Ridge Road, Wilmette (note change from Community Recreation Center, as announced earlier)

Next Regular Monthly Board meeting: Monday, December 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.