Demand for recreational programming remains high in Elmhurst, and the Elmhurst Park District continues to look for ways to expand indoor programming space and reduce waitlists. Community feedback underscores this, with findings from the recent Elevate Elmhurst Parks comprehensive and strategic planning initiative identifying indoor programming space as a top priority. While the District lacks indoor space to meet the needs of the community, the staff and Park Board continue to look for ways to creatively address these needs. The most recent example of this involves working with a long-standing partner, the Ray Graham Association (RGA).
In June, the Park Board approved a Memorandum of Understanding with RGA, which will enable the District to utilize the Elmhurst Community Learning Center, 420 W. Madison Street, in exchange for contributing $41,500 to the RGA to help with refurbishment of the gymnasium. The building is a former elementary school built in 1962 that was previously owned by School District 205.
The District has a well-established relationship with the RGA. First through a membership in the Gateway Special Recreation Association, which contracts with RGA to provide recreational activities for individuals with disabilities. And second, through the RGA Summer Work Crew. For nearly 20 years, the Crew has paired RGA members with the District’s parks staff to perform seasonal park maintenance throughout the District. The Crew works three days a week from May through July with the primary task of mulching tree rings and landscape beds. Over the past two seasons, the crew has been able to successfully mulch every tree ring and landscape bed throughout the District…a monumental feat considering there are 30 parks and more than 400 acres of landscaping to maintain in Elmhurst!
Once the project is complete, the District will be able to utilize the gymnasium and two classrooms for programming, Monday through Friday, 3:30-10 pm, and Saturday and Sunday, 7:30 am-3 pm, hours when there is limited use by the RGA. Refurbishments are expected to be completed by late fall 2024. Park District staff is eager to expand programming options in the space once the work is done.
For more details, please visit epd.org/projects.
