A community bandshell with restroom in Wilder Park will provide a backdrop for music or theater performances and serve as a community gathering place.
This project falls under the Elevate Elmhurst Parks Priority of Invigorated Parks.
Latest Project Report
- Soil sampling completed (8 total borings).
2026 Mid-Year Progress Report
The new community bandshell in Wilder Park, which will be located south of the playground on the east lawn of the Wilder Mansion, will provide a permanent venue for enrichment and engagement. This site served as the longtime location of the District's temporary band wagon, which provided the backdrop for concerts, movies, egg hunts and other community events for decades. The project also includes a permanent heated restroom.
The bandshell is part of the larger Wilder Park South Master Plan, which includes improvements to the former site of the Lizzadro Museum, which stood in Wilder Park for many decades but was torn down in 2023 when the museum moved to Oak Brook. Throughout development of the Master Plan, the District gathered extensive community input through public meetings, surveys, and stakeholder engagement.
Following public input, consultant recommendations, and Board discussion, the Park Board approved the Wilder Park South Master Plan, including the bandshell location, at the beginning of the year. The approved Master Plan is viewable below.
Following a facility assessment of the Wilder Park Recreation Building, the Park Board also approved replacing the originally proposed standalone restroom with redevelopment of the existing Recreation Building.
With the Master Plan approved, design development began in the spring. This work includes refining architectural, structural, grading, mechanical, and electrical elements of the project that will be included in construction documents. Updated renderings and site plans were presented to the Park Board in May and included revisions based on Board feedback. The latest renderings can also be viewed below.
Required Planned Unit Development (PUD) meetings are currently in progress with the city. Design work continues, with construction expected to begin early next year. Both the bandshell and restroom improvements are anticipated to be completed in fall 2027.
Milestone Timeline (subject to change)
- Winter 2026: Complete community engagement for Wilder Park bandshell and southside plan. Board approve Wilder Park South Master Plan and begin design development for Wilder Park bandshell and restroom building
- Spring 2026: Complete design development for Wilder Park bandshell and restrooms and begin permitting process, begin Planned Unit Development process for Wilder Park South Master Plan
- Summer/Fall 2026: Complete permitting and Planned Unit Development process for Wilder Park South Master Plan (including bandshell and restrooms)
- Spring 2027: Begin construction of Wilder Park bandshell and restroom building
- Fall 2027: Complete construction of Wilder Park bandshell with restrooms
