BoardBrief

Updates from the Wilmette Park District

Board of Park Commissioners

September, 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 divided into four phases: Defining, Planning, Execution and Completion. For detailed definitions of each project phase, go here

PLANNING PHASE

Wallace Bowl Restoration

The Ouilmette Foundation has received a draft feasibility study on fundraising for Wallace Bowl restoration. The study indicated that potential fundraising amounts were less than the project's total cost. Community members felt the Park District should contribute since Wallace Bowl is a District asset. The Foundation plans to discuss its commitment to the project, and once established, the District will evaluate the project’s scope and incorporate restoration into future capital planning.


PLANNING PHASE

3220 Big Tree Lane - Next Steps

Purchase of the 4.8-acre property at 3220 Big Tree Lane, also known as Beth Hillel, is now complete. Historically, the property has been used by three different groups, and for now, all will continue their operations as usual. The groups include the synagogue, a day school, and a Mikva shared by multiple synagogues. The District will now begin outlining the process for 2025 public input sessions and discussion about the future uses of this property.

 

PLANNING PHASE

Solar Panel Project at CRC

Verde Energy has completed plans for the solar array at the Community Recreation Center, and has submitted them to the Village of Wilmette for permit review. Once the permit is issued, work will begin.

EXECUTION PHASE

Gillson Park Infrastructure Project

Construction at Gillson Park is underway. Construction and tree protection fencing has been installed and initial utility work is in progress while the construction team awaits the Watershed Management Ordinance (WMO) permit. The permit is currently under legal review for work taking place on Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) property and is expected by the end of the month. Once the permits are in hand, work will start on both Park District-owned areas and those leased from the MWRD, allowing phase one of the heavy construction on Overlook Drive to begin. Due to delays in the permitting process, the project is about four weeks behind schedule.



The remaining work will repair or upgrade sewers, water service, electrical service and roadways, along with the addition of sidewalks to improve pedestrian access. The project is slated for completion by spring 2025, prior to Memorial Day weekend. Click here to learn all about the Gillson project; click here for the Gillson FAQ document.

 

EXECUTION PHASE

Langdon Shoreline Protection Project

At Langdon, the project to rebuild the revetment and create an ADA-accessible path down the bluff to the beach is underway. Construction fencing and tree protection measures are in place. The contractor is currently excavating the beach to the necessary depth for the revetment, crushing existing rocks to create the subbase, placing the subbase material, and layering armor stone on top. Once the revetment is complete, work on the pathway up and down the bluff will begin. This project is scheduled for completion in the spring of 2025, before Memorial Day weekend.

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

A D D I T I O N A L

U P D A T E S

IAPD AWARD- The Wilmette Park District and Village of Wilmette have received a prestigious intergovernmental collaboration award from Illinois Association of Park Districts (IAPD) for their work together on Wilmette’s Neighborhood Stormwater Management Project, which was completed in 2023.


SOUTH BEACH OPERATIONS -Fencing around Gillson Park’s South Beach was removed on September 3, at the end of swim season. Lakefront staff plan to present a year-end report to the Board in October. Once all information is presented and reviewed, the District will begin a public input process to help determine 2025 swim season operations.

 

A C C E S S


To view Agendas and Minutes from past Board meetings, click here. Minutes are posted after they are approved.


PLEASE NOTE: ADDITIONAL SCHEDULED 2024 MEETINGS

In September, October, November and December, the Board will hold a special Committee of the Whole Finance Meeting at 6:30 p.m., prior to the regular board meeting, at Village Hall at 1200 Wilmette Avenue, Wilmette.


Next Regular Monthly board meeting: Monday, October 14 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, October 28 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.

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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 September 9 and 23 Board Meetings



Watch the September 9 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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