On the November 5, 2024 ballot, the Park District is giving residents the choice to fund high-priority projects identified by the community through a referendum.
A successful referendum would enable the District to replace Wagner Community Center, which was built in the 1950s as an elementary school, and build a new facility that will serve all ages and reduce wait lists. It would also fund a community bandshell in Wilder Park, year-round heated restrooms at Wilder, Eldridge, and Crestview parks as well as along the Prairie Path, and the conversion of a grass field to artificial turf at Berens Park.
To ensure residents receive accurate and timely information, the Park District is providing several resources, including tax impact details and FAQs, which can be found at epd.org/referendum.
Myth: The Park District is part of the City.
Fact: Elmhurst Park District was established in 1920 as a separate governing body in Elmhurst to meet leisure and recreation needs of the community. A seven-member, community-elected, non-partisan Board of Commissioners serves as the governing board. Elmhurst Park District receives a nickel from every dollar of property taxes and operates and maintains 30 parks, 19 facilities and 458 acres of open land.
Myth: Didn't the Park District go to referendum in 2019 as part of Vision 2020?
Fact: The Park District last went to referendum in 1971. In 2019, the Park District explored the possibility of going to referendum through a voter survey, but chose not to go forward with a referendum at that time.
Myth: Wagner Community Center was built to be a recreation center.
Fact: Wagner Community Center was built in the 1950s as an elementary school and is nearly 70 years old. It later became a junior college before the District purchased the building and adjacent properties in 2003.
Myth: There are already restrooms along the Prairie Path.
Fact: On the stretch of the Prairie Path that exists in Elmhurst, there are currently no permanent, heated restrooms on the path. If approved, the referendum will provide permanent restrooms in four locations (Wilder Park, Eldridge, Crestview, and along the Prairie Path).
