A rainy morning didn’t dampen the mood of those gathered at Eldridge Park last weekend. Elmhurst Board of Park Commissioners and Park District staff joined together on the east side of the park on Saturday, September 13 for the groundbreaking of the Eldridge Park Restroom Building – the first project made possible by the successful passage of the November 2024 Referendum.
The building, which will be situated near the playground along Spring Road, will give park users access to safe, clean, heated restrooms year-round. The location was selected based on its proximity to many of Eldridge’s amenities, including walking paths, soccer fields, tennis/roller hockey courts and the playground.
Kicking off the referendum projects with this facility’s construction is fitting, given the importance the community placed on permanent restrooms during the 2023 Elevate Elmhurst Parks planning process.
“Permanent park restroom buildings were the highest rated unmet need on a Community Needs Assessment survey as compared to 33 other indoor and outdoor amenities,” said Executive Director Jim Rogers. “More so than a gymnasium, a dog park, and even an indoor walking track.”
The Park District has partnered with Dewberry Architects, V3 Engineering and RAF Electrical Services on the project. Construction is now underway and is expected to be complete by the end of the year.
To keep up with all the Park District referendum projects and progress, please visit epd.org/referendum.
