Park Board News

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 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.

Park Board Approves Acquiring New Property Near East End Park

Posted February 01, 2017 - 2:33pm

The Elmhurst Park Board has approved the purchase of the property at 207 N. Hampshire Avenue, located northeast of East End Park. The District’s strategic objectives include acquiring property to increase open space in the community and property adjacent to existing park property is identified as particularly desirable in the District’s strategic plan. The purchase price of $415,000 for the property was approved at the Monday, January 17, 2017 Park Board meeting.

Park Board Welcomes Community to New Ben Allison Sled Hill

Posted January 30, 2017 - 2:25pm

The Elmhurst Park District Board of Park Commissioners cut the ribbon and officially welcomed the public to the newly redesigned Ben Allison sled hill on Saturday, January 28.

Park Board President Vince Spaeth and Executive Director Jim Rogers explained that plans for the renovation of the sled hill were approved by the Park Board in February 2016 in an effort to provide ADA accessibility and a safer sled path that is not angled toward the street.

Pool Pass Survey Results Help Park District Plan for Summer 2017

Posted January 18, 2017 - 12:05pm

At the Tuesday, January 17 Board Meeting, results of a survey given to Pool Pass Holders in fall 2016 were presented. The survey gathered feedback regarding pass holders' usage of and satisfaction with facilities, amenities and staff.

The Park District looks forward to rolling out some operational changes for summer 2017 based on the results of the survey. Look for more information on these changes in late spring 2017 as new pool schedules become available. 

Park Board Approves Acquiring New Property

Posted October 26, 2016 - 1:20pm

The Elmhurst Park Board has approved the purchase of the property at 447 Armitage Avenue, adjacent to Berens Park. The District’s strategic objectives include acquiring property to increase open space in the community and property adjacent to existing park property is identified as particularly desirable in the District’s strategic plan. The purchase price of $292,500 for the Armitage Avenue property was approved by Resolution R-05-16 at the Monday, October 11, 2016 Park Board meeting.

Indoor Sports Facility Study Draft Report Presented to Park Board and City of Elmhurst

Posted October 24, 2016 - 3:45pm

 

2020 Vision – Focus on the Future

Posted September 20, 2016 - 2:06pm
The Board of Park Commissioners has approved engaging The Lakota Group to conduct a community needs assessment to be completed in fall of 2016 and the development of a comprehensive and strategic plan with completion by late May 2017.  Using a qualifications based selection process, the Board interviewed two professional service firms with experience conducting surveys and facilitating Comprehensive and Strategic Plan processes.

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