Elmhurst Park District's vision for the future is beginning to look more concrete. Its Vision plan has been shaped into six projects that range from a new adult center to an indoor sports center to a dog park along with expansion of the Wagner Community Center, acquisition of more outdoor space and improved park maintenance. With the motto "Your Parks, Your Community, Your Vision," the strategic plan was put together using data from resident surveys and aims to address the community's wants and needs, Executive Director James Rogers said.
The district wants to develop a new facility for education and other programming aimed at adults and seniors. The park board is in the process of buying an existing recreation center owned by a church at E. Both parties have signed a contract, but closing will take place in early fall. The 2. The space will house activities such as adult dance classes, luncheons and social services. The conceptual design for the center shows a building with a lobby, an arts and crafts center, a fitness and dance studio, a large multipurpose room and an indoor and outdoor classroom.
Elmhurst does not meet the regional and national standards for parks and open space - and residents took note of the shortfall in their survey responses. The board plans to build more parks in areas lacking outdoor space, many of them toward the middle of the city.
Surveys and other input from the community indicated that residents are disappointed with the maintenance of parks and fields. Director of Parks Dan Payne proposed a plan to hire more staff members at the Aug. The district's maintenance staff includes 15 full-time employees, but Payne suggested adding 17 more under three new divisions. He said creating a programs, operations and projects division will allow for a proactive approach to maintenance.
The new sports center is proposed to be about , square feet. It will include two full-sized synthetic turf fields, six convertible basketball courts, an indoor walking track, multipurpose rooms, a lobby and food services, locker rooms and possibly physical therapy and esports gaming. The board does not yet have a site for the proposed facility. The board hopes to improve its community center after receiving requests from the community for more space and better conditions.
