Park Board News

Park Board Approves Paving Projects, Including Berens Park Parking Lot

Posted February 13, 2018 - 2:15pm

Maintaining the parking lots and paths at District parks helps visitors access the parks safely and is an important task that aligns with the District’s goal of maintaining amenities.

At the February 12, 2018 board meeting, the Park Board approved a bid of $195,415 for a paving, seal coating and striping project for the west parking lot of Berens Park as well as the parking stalls along Oaklawn Avenue. The work will also entail repaving deteriorating paths at Conrad Fischer Park.

Park Board Meeting Documents Now Available Through Board Docs LT

Posted January 11, 2018 - 10:46am

In an effort to make accessing Park Board documents more streamlined and user-friendly, Park Board meeting agendas, minutes and related material will now be available electronically through Board Docs.

This cloud-based service improves the District’s governance processes and its communication with the community, while saving staff time and taxpayer dollars. The easy-to-use service allows immediate publishing of Board meeting documents and policies, giving community users quick access to the most up-to-date information.

Elmhurst Garden Club Donates $3,000 from Walk & Faire

Posted November 14, 2017 - 10:28am

At the Monday, November 14 meeting of the Elmhurst Park District Board of Park Commissioners, members of the Elmhurst Garden Club presented a check to the District for $3,000 raised during the annual Elmhurst Garden Walk and Faire. The money will be used for plantings at park signs throughout the District with additional funds being used for the Recreation Assistance program which allows disadvantaged Elmhurst families to participate in recreational programs.

Park Board Welcomes Community to New Playground

Posted November 07, 2017 - 8:14am

On Saturday, November 4, members of the Elmhurst Park District Board of Park Commissioners gathered to officially welcome the community to the new Plunkett Park playground. Unfortunately, due to storms, the grand reopening was moved inside to Courts Plus where the Board along with Executive Director Jim Rogers cut the ribbon with view of the new playground behind them.

Green Space Growing in Elmhurst’s Parks

Posted October 10, 2017 - 8:49am

Visitors to Berens Park and East End Park will soon have more room to run, play and picnic. Green space will be added to both parks this fall as part of the Park District’s goal to improve and maintain open space for Elmhurst residents.

Two single family properties recently acquired by the Park District, 447 W. Armitage Avenue (located adjacent to Berens Park) and 207 N. Hampshire Avenue (located northeast of East End Park), will be demolished and restored to open space during the week of October 10, 2017.

Tobacco Use Ban to Take Effect November 16, 2017

Posted August 30, 2017 - 8:43am

The Park Board approved a plan to ban tobacco use on all District property at the Monday, August 28, 2017 Park Board Meeting. Sugar Creek Golf Course and paid rentals at Wilder Mansion are exempt from the ban.

The approved ban comes after discussion at the March 13, 2017 Park Board Meeting, where Board Members directed staff to draft an amendment to the District’s Park and Facility Use Ordinance and to create an implementation and enforcement plan for a potential ban.

Depot Paver Project Improves Accessibility While Maintaining Character

Posted August 22, 2017 - 2:07pm

If you've strolled the Illinois Prairie Path in Elmhurst recently, you may have noticed a construction project underway at The Depot. This fall, the old pavers, which were uneven and beginning to chip, are being replaced with new ones, which will provide a continuous, smooth surface and improve ADA accessibility. 

Community offers feedback to District about property purchases - Related environmental studies now available for review

Posted July 28, 2017 - 2:47pm

The Elmhurst Park District held a public meeting on Thursday, July 27 to welcome feedback from the community on the conversion of property related to Golden Meadows Park. Recently, Park District commissioners approved the purchase of the former trailer park property at 0S761 Old York Road that would replace the portion of Golden Meadows Park deeded to the City back in April to assist in the City’s stormwater management efforts. A smaller portion of land at 207 N. Hampshire Ave. would also be part of the conversion process.

Park District seeks input on potential new park sites

Posted July 18, 2017 - 1:59pm

This past April, the Elmhurst Park District deeded a portion of land at Golden Meadows Park to the City of Elmhurst as part of an Intergovernmental Agreement to assist the City in its efforts to address stormwater detention. Two properties recently considered for purchase by the District will be used for public outdoor recreation as part of a conversion process required by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources related to the agreement.

Board of Park Commissioners Approves Vision 2020 Plan

Posted July 12, 2017 - 8:39am

From fall 2016 to early summer 2017, the Elmhurst Park District undertook the Vision 2020 process to update its current Comprehensive and Strategic Plans, which conclude at the end of 2017. Led by The Lakota Group, the planning team for the Vision 2020 process completed the Vision 2020 Plan key findings and draft final document based on the outcomes of the engage, analyze, envision, and implement phases of the process.

District Meets 2016 Budget Expectations

Posted June 27, 2017 - 12:39pm

At the June 12 Park Board meeting, the financial audit for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2016 was approved. The financial activity is presented in conformance with generally accepted accounting principles and has been audited in accordance by Lauterbach & Amen, LLP. The Elmhurst Park District continues to maintain sound financial position with $43.4 million in total assets at the end of 2016. Further details of the District’s net position and statements of activity can be found in the 2016 Comprehensive Financial Report.

District to Continue Monarch Butterfly Stewardship

Posted June 27, 2017 - 9:54am

At its June 26 meeting, the Elmhurst Park District Board of Park Commissioners passed a resolution to formally commit the District’s continued practices of working with the DuPage Monarch Project and being a leader in the maintaining and promoting of monarch habitats throughout Elmhurst.

The decline of the monarch butterfly has raised public awareness in calling for organizations to help protect these species and foster habitats for monarchs and other pollinators.

Commissioner Pelosi Recognized for Six Years of Service

Posted April 26, 2017 - 12:03pm

The Elmhurst Park District Park Board of Commissioners recognized Commissioner Anthony Pelosi for his years of service at the Monday, April 24 Park Board meeting. Anthony, who is stepping down after serving the Board for the past six consecutive years, was presented with a resolution to formally honor his service to the Elmhurst community.

Park Board Approves Paver Replacement at The Depot

Posted March 20, 2017 - 8:29am
The Depot

With the goal of increasing accessibility to The Depot, a historic building situated in Wild Meadows Trace, the Park Board approved the replacement of The Depot’s pavers at the Monday, February 27, 2017 meeting, at a cost of $22,320. The new pavers will provide a continuous, smooth surface and improve ADA accessibility. The existing bricks have ¾” gaps or wider, are uneven and are beginning to chip.
 

Park Board Approves Drafting of Amendment to Ban Tobacco on all District Property

Posted March 16, 2017 - 10:03am

The March 13 Park Board Meeting saw discussion over changes to the District’s Park and Facility User Ordinance, specifically an amendment to ban tobacco use on District property. Based on the information presented by the Board Policy Committee at the meeting, the Park Board approved moving forward with the drafting of an amendment which bans tobacco use on all District property except at the Sugar Creek Golf Course, which would be excluded at this time due to the intergovernmental agreement with the Village of Villa Park.

Park Board Approves Plunkett Park Playground Redevelopment Project

Posted March 15, 2017 - 8:15am

Plans for the redevelopment of Plunkett Park playground moved forward at the Monday, March 13 Park Board meeting, with the Board approving both the Plunkett Park Playground Redevelopment Project and the Plunkett Park Playground Safety Surfacing Project. Plunkett Park playground is next on the District’s replacement schedule and the project will ensure that the playground continues to comply with current safety standards and ADA accessibility requirements.

Park Board Approves Berens Park North Tennis Courts Resurfacing

Posted March 02, 2017 - 8:42am

The Berens Park North Tennis Courts will be getting a facelift this spring. At the Monday, February 27 Park Board Meeting, the Board approved a resurfacing project for the tennis courts, at a cost of $121,946.17.

The scope of the project includes adding a layer of stone on top of the existing surface and overlaying with new asphalt and color coating. The tennis net posts and nets will also be replaced at a cost of $3,240. Work on the project is expected to begin in late May. The Berens Park South Tennis Courts will remain open and playable during construction.

Sale of Part of Golden Meadows to the City of Elmhurst Moves Forward

Posted February 03, 2017 - 12:11pm

The stormwater detention project at Golden Meadows is moving forward.  The appraisal of $1,130,000 was approved by the Elmhurst City Council at their January 17, 2017 meeting.  The appraisal was then sent by the Park District to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and is now awaiting their approval.   Since the property was purchased with IDNR Grant funds, IDNR must approve the appraisal and sale of the property to the City of Elmhurst.  IDNR prohibits stormwater detention as a use for park land purchased with IDNR funds, thus requiring the sale of the property to the City of Elmhurst.

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