The Elmhurst Park District looks forward to continuing to reopen and fulfill its mission of Enriching lives while having fun!
In accordance with the State of Illinois’ Restore Illinois Plan, staff continues to plan for the return of programming and reopening of facilities as detailed in Phase 3-Recovery, which is set to begin Friday, May 29. We continue to monitor the progress as we move through these phases, and we are prepared to adjust our plan as we get closer to Phase 4-Revitalization.
Below are the details for specific areas of interest:
- Summer Day Camp: Staff is creating a revised version of our traditional day camps as many families rely on camp for childcare. Day Camp 2020 will be held starting Monday, June 22 at Wagner Community Center and the Eldridge Recreation building and will follow the guidelines set by Phase 3. This camp is similar to Funseekers but will not include the field trips and swimming at East End or Smalley Pools. Safety, as always, is top of mind. The restructured day camp will incorporate smaller group sizes, separate locations allowing for little to no crossover between camp groups, increased sanitation practices, face coverings when necessary, and social distancing restrictions in accordance with Illinois Department of Public Health and CDC guidelines. Due to the need to keep camp groups separate and provide indoor shelter for each group, there will be a limited number of spaces available for registration. Priority registration will go to those people who had already registered for Funseekers or Courts Plus camp. More information will be released in the coming week. (Update - View Day Camp 2020 Information here)
- Courts Plus: Courts Plus staff is currently working on a Phase 3 reopening of the fitness floor and outdoor fitness classes with limited capacity and advanced reservations. A reopening date will be announced shortly and more specific information will be provided to Courts Plus members as soon as possible. Potential summer camp opportunities at Courts Plus are being considered for Phase 4. All other areas are being evaluated for opening in Phase 4 and 5. (Update - Outdoor Group Exercise begins Friday, June 12 for Courts Plus Members. Registration opens Tuesday, June 9. View schedule here)
- Sugar Creek Golf Course: Sugar Creek is open for prepaid tee times only (online & phone). Foursomes are allowed in Phase 3 with 10-minute tee time intervals. One person per cart, or two per household, is now allowed as well. The driving range will also open with limited capacity while the clubhouse will remain closed.
- Athletic fields and courts: Outdoor tennis courts, pickle ball courts, athletic fields and the skate park will be open beginning Friday.
- Outdoor restrooms and picnic pavilions: Outdoor restrooms will open for the season on June 5. No picnic rentals will be taken for June.
- Garden Plots: Plots will open Monday, June 1. Three plots remain. For more information, visit our Garden Plots page.
- Parks and playgrounds: Parks have remained open for walking, jogging, and biking during the stay-at-home order as long as social distancing guidelines are followed. However, playgrounds were closed and will remain closed until Phase 4, according to the Restore Illinois Plan.
- Summer Programs: Staff is targeting Phase 4 for additional programming, such as dance, gymnastics, and sports. Details will be forthcoming.
- Outdoor pools: The District is continuing with the suspension of operations for East End and Smalley pools. Public pool operations are not included as part of Phase 3 of the Restore Illinois Plan and, as of this date, there has been no direction or guidelines from IDPH concerning the safe operation of outdoor public pools this summer. Season passes have been extended through September 2021. Learn more information about the pool closings.
- The Hub: Staff hopes to be able to reopen The Hub toward the end of Phase 3 or early Phase 4. More details to come.
- Wagner Community Center: Wagner will reopen as programming resumes. Registration services remain available via email and phone.
- The Abbey: The Abbey Senior Center will remain closed during Phase 3.
- Wilder Mansion: Wilder Mansion will remain closed during Phase 3.
- Administrative Office: The Administrative Office will reopen in Phase 4, however, staff is still available via phone or email.
- Fall brochure: The fall brochure will be made available online only in mid-July.
Anticipated Phase 4 openings will include playgrounds, sand volleyball, futsal, basketball and roller hockey courts, water fountains, the Wilder Park Conservatory, and the bicentennial and Wilder Mansion fountains.
Any open facilities will remain open as long as participants adhere to the District’s guidelines for use of those facilities based on the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and Illinois Department of Health (IDPH) guidelines.
Our team is prepared to adjust and make appropriate changes as we get closer to Phase 4-Revitalization. We will continue to keep you as informed as possible. For the latest information, please visit www.epd.org. We appreciate your patience and hope to see you soon!
