September Board Brief

Board Brief

Highlights from the August 22 Special Meeting and Committee of the Whole Meeting, and the

September 12 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

At the August 22 Committee of the Whole (COW) meeting, the Board agreed to begin a fresh analysis process for the addition of pickleball courts on park property.

The Board reflected on the prior initiative to build eight pickleball courts at West Park and identified important considerations to integrate into the procedure going forward.

As part of the new analysis, the Board will engage the Village of Wilmette at the beginning of the process when evaluating each park location.

Additionally, Park District staff will research best practices from other communities, consider repurposing already developed space for pickleball, and look for creative ways to provide pickleball without building new courts. A draft analysis, including preliminary cost estimates, is anticipated in October.

Projects in the Planning Phase:

Langdon Shoreline Protection Project

Following feedback from the community and the Board, SmithGroup Consultants are working on modified concepts for the project. The direction given by the Board requested initial concept B, incorporating a stairs-only option, a path-only option, and a combined path-and-stairs option. All options must include an entry point for Park District staff to check beach passes, a place to store wagons and bicycles, and an option to move the path’s end route north. A presentation of the modified concepts is anticipated next month.

Gillson Park Comprehensive Plan

After reviewing the results from our recent Gillson Park Roadway Survey, the Park Board unanimously agreed with respondents (39.7% of 1,563) to convert Middle Drive into a multipurpose path through the park. Initial discussion included narrowing the width from its current 20 feet to a path 10 feet or less.

Four possible concepts related to Gillson’s Upper and Middle drives were presented on the survey. The alternate three responses were: remove Middle Drive and replace it with lawn (16%); remove Upper and Middle drives and replace them with lawn (10.4%); and none of the above (33.9%). See the full survey results here

Park District staff will now work with consultants on a plan, and present it to the Board at a future meeting. If the Board moves forward with the project, construction could begin after Labor Day 2023 and finish prior to summer 2024.

Keay Nature Center Project

At the September 12 Regular Monthly Board meeting, Commissioners approved a bid by Hacienda Landscaping for path and drainage improvements, upon confirmation that Hacienda has no outstanding disagreements with any local unions that could spark union protests. Learn more about the Keay Nature Center project in July's Board Brief, here.

West Park and Platform Tennis Club Enhancements

Platform Tennis Court Construction: at the August 22 Special Meeting, the Board approved a bid from Total Platform Tennis, LLC for the construction of two paddle courts at West Park. The project is scheduled to begin mid-November, with anticipated completion the end of December.

West Park Landscaping Plan: residents requested changes to the original plan developed; to allow for time, the Park District asked the Village of Wilmette for an extension of their deadline for installation of new landscaping. The extension may result in planting delays: late in the season, plant material availability will be limited. However, the Board is committed to planting this year, if feasible. Based on resident input, a new landscape concept was developed. See the refined landscaping plan here.

Signage: Signs have been installed around the Platform Tennis Club facility and on each court door, regarding rules of conduct and league season hours.

Timers/Sensors: Park District staff have installed push buttons and vacancy sensors within the six platform tennis courts at West Park; fine-tuning is underway.

Projects in the Execution Phase:

Lakeview Center Renovation Project

The project architect and construction manager are working with Park District staff to begin work this month.

Community Playfields Bathroom Project

Water lines and sanitary sewer work is complete; the concrete pad has been poured; exterior walls are up; and sidewalk installation has begun. Once the final inspection on mechanical, electrical and plumbing work is complete, our contractor will begin installation of interior walls and fixtures. Target completion date is October 28.

Thornwood Park Tennis Court Resurfacing

Old color coat surfacing has been stripped off, and concrete footers have been poured for fence posts. The process of laying the asphalt surface is currently underway. Once this is complete, the courts must cure for approximately four weeks before crews can add the new color coat.

Projects in the Completion Phase:

Golf Club Restaurant, The Lawn, Opens

The Lawn Grill officially opened its doors on Labor Day Weekend. View The Lawn's website here

Around the Park District

Community Recreation Center rooftop units were replaced in August; building staff replaced the ductwork and RTU 1 & 2.
Center Fitness Club studio wood floors have been refinished.
Crews seal-coated and filled cracks at the Community Recreation Center parking lot.
The Park District’s new Horticulturist and Parks crew weeded and planted beds at Mallinckrodt, Maple, Vattmann, and Centennial Parks, and Community Playfield, using our new landscape plans. See photos here
Parks crews completed fall sports field setup, completed set up and takedown of the Beach Bash (including preparing a beach bonfire with an old lifeguard tower), executed required removals of storm-damaged and declining trees, completed playground surfacing maintenance, split rail fence repair and turf work.
Building staff painted the hallways within the Early Childhood wing at the Community Recreation Center.

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: Tuesday, September 27 at 6:30 p.m. at the Mallinckrodt Center, 1041a Ridge Road in Wilmette (side entrance)

Next Regular Monthly Board meeting: Monday, October 17 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.