Community Passes Elmhurst Park District Referendum
As of November 5, 2024, the majority of Elmhurst Park District voters answered “yes” to the bond referendum request to raise revenue to improve, equip and maintain parks and facilities throughout the District, including replacing the Wagner Community Center; building a community bandshell at Wilder Park; adding permanent, heated restrooms at three parks and along the Prairie Path; and converting a grass field to artificial turf at Berens Park.
The new Wagner Community Center will accommodate more residents and feature:
- Free three-lane walking/jogging track
- Gymnasium for pickleball, basketball, volleyball and other sports
- Artificial turf field for soccer, football, baseball and other sports
- Larger spaces for dance and gymnastics programs
- Flexible multi-purpose spaces for more programming and community gatherings
- Indoor play area for children
- Dedicated early childhood and preschool spaces with a secure entrance
“Our residents have been an essential part of this process from the beginning, sharing their vision during the Elevate Elmhurst Parks planning, providing feedback on projects during multiple open houses, answering our voter survey and then voting,” said Kevin Graf, Park Board President. “We are pleased to be able to deliver their vision.”
With the community’s approval of the bond request, the Park District will complete design development for the Wagner Community Center along with the other projects in 2025. At the same time, plans will be made to temporarily relocate programs and services currently held at the Wagner Center beginning in fall 2025. Construction on the new Wagner Center is expected to start in 2026 with the new facility opening in fall 2027. The community bandshell, year-round heated restrooms, and upgrading a grass field to artificial turf will be completed in 2026-2028.
Check this webpage and regularly follow us on social media to stay up to date on progress and details.
September 2025 Progress Report
Wagner Community Center (WCC) Project
- Worked with Dewberry on project details, including indoor and outdoor synthetic turf products, security, and fob access.
- Working with the Illinois Community Charging Program, construction plans could include infrastructure for four Level 2 EV stations (up to 8 cars) with up to 80% funded by Federal and State programs.
- Construction documents 50% complete.
- First Public Hearing held August 26 at Zoning and Planning Commission meeting as part of Planned Unit Development (PUD) process.
Wagner Community Center (WCC) Relocation
- 185 Industrial Drive Rental Property
- Contractor mobilized on site and took receipt of HVAC units.
- Construction to accommodate gymnastics and dance programming began and is ongoing.
Eldridge Park Restroom Building
- Mandatory pre-bid meeting for the project held on August 12 with 24 contractors in attendance.
- Bids opened on August 26.
- A groundbreaking at the project site to be held on Saturday, September 13.
Wilder Park Bandshell with Restrooms
- Four 40’ x 40’ tents were temporarily set up in Wilder Park at the locations identified in the resident survey.
- Board held a Special Meeting to conduct Wilder Park Bandshell Location Workshop.
- Board reached consensus to move forward with the consideration of two sites - the location east of the Wilder Mansion that was shown during referendum presentations and the former ice rink location.
