Elmhurst Park District Featured On LandscapeOnline.com
The Elmhurst Park District’s park planning efforts were featured on landscapeonline.com as an example of Chicago-area landscape architecture. The article highlights the Diana Nicholas Memorial Gardens, East End Pool, Eldridge Playground, and The Hub Miniature Golf Course. For more information, or to read the article, click here.
Spring Flower Show at the Wilder Park Conservatory February 1-28, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. daily
Did you know that 1/3 of what we eat is dependent on some sort of pollinator? Visit the Wilder Park Conservatory this February and learn about the different creatures that pollinate flowers besides honeybees. This is a great opportunity to learn about an essential aspect of the natural world. For more information, contact the Wagner Community Center at (630) 993-8901.
Elmhurst Park District Gymnast Earns Top Prize, Team Nets 2nd Place at Meet
The Elmhurst Park District Dynamites Gymnastics Team hosted their first home gymnastics meet in five years at York High School on Sunday, January 24, and had a phenomenal showing. Eight gyms attended the meet, which involved 130 competitors. Park District gymnast Kelly Mordini was awarded first place all around for the optional level. The Dynamites Level 4 team took second place in the meet, and the Dynamites Level 5 team took fifth place in the meet. The Elmhurst Park District participates in the Greater Illinois Junior Olympic (GIJO) league which uses modified United States Association of Gymnastics (USAG) as well as Illinois High School Association (IHSA) rules. The USAG is the national governing body for gymnastics in the United States. Click here for more information about Elmhurst Park District Gymnastics program.
Sled Hills and Outdoor Skating December 1- February 28
Enjoy the Elmhurst Park District sled hills from December 1-February 28 (weather permitting). Three lighted sled hills are available for use at Berens Park, Crestview Park, and Eldridge Park depending on appropriate snow conditions. Only the following devices are allowed on the sled hill: plastic sleds, tubes, saucers and toboggans. All other devices are prohibited. Outdoor skating is allowed only at Eldridge Lagoon. Skating is permitted when the ice reaches a consistent thickness of 8". Signs will be posted when lagoon is suitable for skating. For more information, contact the Wagner Community Center at (630) 993-8901.
2010 Picnic Permit Registration January 4 – February 1
Beginning Monday, January 4, 2010, picnic applications will be accepted for Elmhurst Park District resident large group picnic permits. Received applications will be processed by random draw on Monday, January 18. Requests from non-resident large group picnic permits will be accepted and processed beginning Monday, February 1. For more information please call the Wagner Community Center at (630) 993-8901.
Family Open Swim at York High School Various Sundays, January – March, 1-4 p.m.
Bring your family for a fun-filled time at York High School’s swimming pool. The pool will once again be available for the Elmhurst Park District 2009 pool pass holders. Lap swimming, open swim and diving boards will be available for use. Come join us for some splashtacular fun on January 10 and 24, February 7, and 28, and March 7 and 21. For more information, please contact Sarah Lagesse, program manager, at (630) 993-4724.
Just Dad ‘N Me Night Friday, February 5, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Fathers and daughters can enjoy dinner, dancing and entertainment at Monty’s Banquet Hall on Friday, February 5 from 6-9:00 p.m. Registration deadline is February 1. Fees are $25R/$35NM per person; $25 each additional child. For more information contact the Wagner Community Center at (630) 993-8901.
Discover the Prairie Path
Come explore the Elmhurst stretch of the Illinois Prairie Path. Take a leisurely stroll along the tree-lined trail, or try to identify the countless plant species that adorn the path. Enjoy the sweeping prairie vista of the Elmhurst Great Western Prairie, a narrow six-acre section of original Illinois prairie thousands of years old. The Prairie Path is the perfect place to jog, bike, cross-country ski, or just daydream.
Interesting Facts about the Illinois Prairie Path:
The Prairie Path is a 62-mile multi-use limestone trail 25 miles west of Chicago
Built in the 1960s on the right-of-way once occupied by the Chicago, Aurora and Elgin electric railroad, the Prairie Path was the first “rail-to-trail” conversion of its kind in the country.
The Elmhurst stretch of the Prairie Path is maintained by the Elmhurst Park District.
Indoor Facility Study
In 2008, the District hired SRBL Architects to conduct an Indoor Facility Study to develop a comprehensive work plan for addressing future facility needs for both the District and community. SRBL completed and presented the Study to the Park Board this past February and the Board approved it in March. Click here for more information and to review the study.
The Salt Creek Greenway Trail Update
A New Trail in Elmhurst Tune up your bike and get your walking shoes ready - there's going to be a new trail in town! The Salt Creek Greenway Trail will be ready and waiting for residents once it is completed summer.
This project has been 13 years in the making for the Park District and seven local agencies. The 30.6 mile-long regional trail that will extend from the Busse Woods Forest Preserve in NW Cook County, through NE DuPage County to the Chicago Portage National Historic Site at 47th and Harlem. The trail will provide access to forest preserves, local parks, Brookfield Zoo, historic sites and Oakbrook Center, among other sites. Public meetings were convened during the planning stages of the trail to provide community input and the Park Board has reviewed and approved all phases throughout the process.
The Park District looks forward to the addition of the trail to Elmhurst, as it will be another available area for residents to enjoy their favorite recreational activities. Once completed the trail will be ideal for just about all outdoor activities, whether it be biking, jogging, hiking, roller-blading, or simply taking a leisurely stroll. "The District has remained committed to this project for a number of years and it will be exciting to see the concept become a reality when the trail is used by residents and visitors beginning this summer," say Jim Rogers, deputy director of parks and recreation. Construction of Elmhurst's portion of the trail is currently underway as contractors and surveyors have begun staking out the trail, removing trees, installing silt fences, and constructing trail bridges. The majority of work will take place over the winter/spring and the project will be completed this summer.
While construction is on going, the existing wood chip trail will be closed from Madison Street south to Eldridge Park. The contractor's work hours will conform to city construction regulations. The trail will begin in Elmhurst at the intersection of Thomas Street and Monterrey Avenue, it will proceed to the Illinois Prairie Path over Route 83 and continue south to and through Eldridge Park.
The Park District has had funds for the project set aside for a number of years, taxes will not be increased to pay for the project. More than 80% of the funding of the project is coming from grants from the Illinois Department of Transportation, and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, and from the DuPage Mayors and Managers Transportation Control Measures Program. The overall cost of the Park District's segment of the trail is $2,700,000, while the actual cost to the District is just over $500,000 with the remaining $2,200,000 coming from the grant funds.
