Park Board preparing for the future with approval of several planning projects

  • Elmhurst Park District athletic field

In an effort to enhance the community’s park amenities and space, the Elmhurst Board of Park Commissioners approved several planning projects during their Monday, January 13, 2025 meeting. 

Crestview Park Master Plan

Crestview Park is poised for change in the coming years. A new year-round heated restroom, which was funded through a bond referendum approved by Elmhurst residents in November 2024 will be constructed. The playground at Crestview is also scheduled for replacement in 2026. 

Crestview’s recreation building will continue to serve as a program space until the construction of the new Wagner Community Center, expected to be completed in the fall of 2027. Afterward, the recreation building will be demolished to make way for future improvements.

To comprehensively review and evaluate these objectives and the park’s needs, the Park Board approved contracting with V3 Companies, Ltd. to develop a Master Plan for the park. The Plan will help ensure future improvements align with community demands and that the park is a vibrant space for residents of all ages.

A critical aspect of the plan’s development will be community engagement, where feedback from residents and park users will help shape the future vision for Crestview Park.

Plunkett Park Baseball Fields and Berens Park Tennis Courts

During routine assessments, staff identified Plunkett Park’s baseball fields and Berens Park’s tennis courts needed significant repairs. 

While the Plunkett Park baseball fields are overall in good condition, the backstops and dugouts are showing deterioration, and the existing drainage system behind home plate is becoming ineffective. Additionally, the paths and seating are degrading due to tree root intrusion. 

The Berens Park tennis courts, installed in 2004, are cracking and no longer provide a safe, playable surface. The engineering work required for this project involves replacement of the courts, new fencing, tennis equipment and seating. A new lighting system will be incorporated into the project to replace the outdated equipment. 

Both projects require careful planning, engineering design, and adherence to ADA standards. Given the complexity and scope, staff determined it necessary to engage external expertise for civil and electrical engineering services, which the Park Board approved at their January 13 meeting. The projects are scheduled for construction in 2026, with planning and engineering documentation to be completed in 2025.

Athletic Fields and Ball Diamonds

Community feedback from the Elevate Elmhurst Parks Plan highlighted a significant demand for improvements to the District’s 40 athletic fields and 27 ball diamonds. While individual field improvement plans have been developed, Park District staff determined that a comprehensive strategy be created to assess, prioritize, and schedule necessary upgrades for these facilities.

To address this, the Park Board approved engaging a professional services firm to conduct a full assessment of all athletic fields and ball diamonds, including soil testing, drainage, layout, amenities, accessibility, and overall condition ratings. The anticipated timeline for the project is January through June 2025.

Related News