MANAGING AUTHORITY

     The Wilmette Park District is an autonomous governmental agency, responsible directly to the people through the election and referendum process. The District receives its operating authority from the Illinois Park District Code, (Illinois Revised Statutes, Chapter 105, Sections 1 - 13). Through the Code, the Park District is empowered to levy taxes within specified limits, acquire and develop parks, build and operate recreation facilities, and conduct recreation programs.

     The Wilmette Park District is a special district of local government with its own financial and legal responsibilities, established in 1908 for the purpose of providing park and recreational opportunities to residents of the community and public at large. It is governed by seven elected Park Commissioners of Wilmette, who serve a four-year term without remuneration. Regular Board meetings are generally held on the second Monday of each month at 7:30 p.m. Please check with the main office for particulars 847-256-6100.

BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS

Dennis G. O’Malley, President
James L. Brault, Vice President
James P. Crowley
Darrell J. Graham
David G. Miller
Michael H. Murdock
Henry P. Wolff

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OFFICES OF THE PARK DISTRICT

Administration and Facilities Offices

1.  General Administration Office
     Wilmette Village Hall - 2nd Floor
         1200 Wilmette Avenue (847-256-6100)
   
2.  Centennial Recreation Complex
         2300 Old Glenview Road (Ice: 847-256-9666; Tennis: 847-256-9676)

3.  Community Recreation Center
        3000 Glenview Road (847-256-9686)
        
4.  Gillson Park - Lakeview Center
      800 Gillson Park Drive (847-256-9656)

5. The Mallinckrodt Center
      1041A Ridge Road (847-256-9623)

6.  Wilmette Golf Club    
       3900 Fairway Drive (Golf: 847-256-9646)  

STAFF
     The Park District employs 75 full-time employees, 425 part-time staff and 700 seasonal staff. Full-time employees are those working at least 35 hours per week year-round in a position designated as Full-Time by the Board of Park Commissioners. Click here to download a PDF of the Park District’s organization chart.

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WILMETTE PARK DISTRICT ORGANIZATION

PARK BOARD
     The Park Board is made up of seven (7) elected commissioners who serve four (4) year terms. It is the responsibility of the Park Board to acquire, develop, maintain and protect park and recreation areas in Wilmette. This is accomplished by the development of policies and ordinances which govern the operation of the Park District and by the adoption of an operating budget. The Park Board meets on the second Monday of every month at the Village Administration Building, 1200 Wilmette Avenue, Wilmette. The Park Board employs an Executive Director to carry out the policies of the Board.

PARK BOARD COMMITTEES

Centennial Operations
Membership: Three Commissioners
Staff:  Superintendent of Facilities

     The Centennial Operations Committee oversees the operation of all facilities located at the Centennial Park Sports Complex. These facilities include the ice rinks, indoor tennis courts, outdoor pool, pro shops and concessions. The Committee reviews all aspects of the operations, including management, programming, maintenance and budget.

Golf Operations Committee
Membership: Three Commissioners
Staff:  Superintendent of Facilities

     The Golf Operations Committee oversees the operations of the golf course, driving range, and food service. The Committee has the responsibility of reviewing all aspects of the operations of these facilities, including management, programming, maintenance, and budget.

Financial Planning and Policy Committee
Membership: Three Commissioners
Staff:  Superintendent of Finance

     The Financial Planning and Policy Committee has the responsibility of monitoring the Park District's current financial position, the investment strategy for surplus funds of the District, and analyzing the long term financial position of the entire District, and making appropriate recommendations concerning it. The President may request the Committee to meet to analyze any special projects that come forward requiring in-depth financial review. The Committee will also review the annual audit and meet with the auditors to discuss it. The Committee also has the budgetary responsibility of reviewing the Internal Service and Motor Pool Funds. The Committee will review the required budgets for all special funds and the overall tax levy for the Park District.

     In addition, the Committee reviews recommendations for new financial policies and procedures and makes recommendations to the Board.

Parks and Recreation
Membership:  Three Commissioners
Staff:  Superintendent of Parks & Planning, Superintendent of Recreation,
  
     The Parks and Recreation Committee is responsible for overseeing the Parks Department activities, including all maintenance of the park system outside of the special facilities. The Committee evaluates the performance of the maintenance staff and reviews staff recommendations for development of tot lots, flower beds, maintenance of turf and trees, athletic fields, and any individual development proposed within a park site.

     This committee also oversees the operation of the Community Recreation Center, the Gillson Park lakefront and the swimming and sailing beaches, and all facets of recreational programming except activities at Centennial Park and the golf course.

     The Parks and Recreation Committee is also responsible for monitoring the Wilmette Park District participation in the Northern Suburban Special Recreation Association (NSSRA).

Administration Committee
Membership: All Commissioners
Staff:  Executive Director

     The Administration Committee oversees the overall administration operation of the Park District, including the approval of the total budget. It also reviews current Board operational policies and ordinances governing the operation of the Park District, and, in general, monitors the District's overall community relations.

Intergovernmental Cooperation Committee
Membership: Two Commissioners
Staff:  Executive Director

     The IGCC Committee meets on an as-needed basis to develop topics for discussion with other elected governmental bodies within the Village of Wilmette. It also reviews and develops responses to requests initiated by other governmental units. The primary purpose of the Committee is to develop better intergovernmental understanding and cooperation regarding overall community problems affecting the Park District and other units of government.

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BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS

Meets at 7:30 p.m. 2nd Monday of each month in the Village Hall Council Room.

President:  Dennis G. O’Malley        Staff: Steve Wilson
Vice President:  James L. Brault
Member:  James P. Crowley
Member:  Darrell J. Graham
Member:  David G. Miller
Member:  Michael H. Murdock
Member:  Henry P. Wolff

Financial Planning & Policy - Meets at 6:30 p.m. on the 4th Monday of each month in Park District Administrative Offices.

Chair: Darrell J. Graham             Staff: Ken Eppelheimer
Member:  James L. Brault
Member:  David G. Miller

Parks & Recreation - Meets at 6:30 p.m. on the 3rd Monday of each month in Park District Administrative Offices.
 
Chair: James L. Brault                   Staff: Bill Lambrecht
Member:  James P. Crowley         Staff: Kathy Bingham
Member:  Michael Murdock

Centennial Operations  - Meets at 6:30 p.m. on the 2nd Monday of each month in the Park District Administrative Offices.

Chair:  David G. Miller                  Staff: Jeffrey Bowen
Member:  Michael H. Murdock
Member:  Henry P. Wolff

Golf Operations - Meets at 8:30 a.m. on the 4th Saturday of each month at the Wilmette Golf Club.

Chair: James P. Crowley             Staff: Jeffrey Bowen
Member:  Darrell J. Graham
Member:  Henry P. Wolff

Intergovernmental Cooperation - Meetings are scheduled as needed.

Chair: Henry P. Wolff               Staff: Steve Wilson
Member: Darrell J. Graham

Real Estate Committee – Meetings are scheduled as needed

Chair: David G. Miller              Staff: Steve Wilson
Member: James L. Brault
Member: Dennis G. O’Malley

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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

     The Executive Director is the chief executive officer in charge of the Park District and its personnel. The Director is responsible for the administration of a comprehensive recreation program for the entire community, and for the administrative management of public parks, playgrounds, and other recreation facilities. The Director serves as technical advisor and consultant to the Park District Board of Commissioners and administers the policies established by that authority.   
     The Director has executive responsibility for the recreation, parks and business function through the efficient administration of each. The Director serves as Secretary to the Board of Commissioners and supervises the District’s department heads and the Communications Manager.

SUPERINTENDENT OF RECREATION

     The Superintendent of Recreation, under the supervision of the Director, formulates and administers a broad public recreation program. The Superintendent of Recreation directly supervises the Lakefront and Recreation managers and personnel.  
     The Superintendent develops and coordinates recreation programming and maintenance of all recreational facilities, as well as directing the preparation of reports, policy, personnel recommendations and budget controls within the recreation department.

SUPERINTENDENT OF FACILITIES

     The Superintendent of Facilities, under the supervision of the Director, formulates and administers the park district’s revenue facilities – Golf, Ice and Tennis. The Superintendent of Facilities directly supervises all facility managers, supervisors and personnel. The Superintendent develops and coordinates programming and maintenance of all revenue facilities, as well as directing the preparation of reports, policy, personnel recommendations and budget controls.

SUPERINTENDENT OF PARKS AND PLANNING

     The Superintendent of Parks and Planning, under the supervision of the Director, is responsible for the implementation of a comprehensive maintenance and park development program, the design, construction and maintenance of recreation and park areas and facilities. The Superintendent of Parks directs the work of employees engaged in the construction, landscaping, and maintenance of recreation and park areas and facilities, and in the maintenance and repair of equipment. The Superintendent of Parks and Planning oversees construction projects in facilities and the park system.

SUPERINTENDENT OF FINANCE AND PERSONNEL

     The Superintendent of Finance and Personnel, under the supervision of the Executive Director, coordinates all accounting and financial functions. The Superintendent of Finance and Personnel directly supervises the office and accounting staff which handles program registration, payroll, cash disbursements, budgeting and financial analysis. The Superintendent of Finance and Personnel also oversees all personnel matters as well as the development and use of the Park District’s computer systems.

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PARK LOCATIONS AND ACREAGE

PARK NAME, LOCATION and NUMBER OF ACRES
Avoca Park, Iroquois west of Romona Road, 8.0
Bateman Park, Sheridan Road and Michigan Avenue, .5
Centennial Park, 2300 Old Glenview Road, 16.5
Community Playfield, 702 Locust Road, 39.0
Earlywine Park, 14th St. & Wilmette Ave., .7
Forest Park, Forest & 18th Street, .5
Gillson Park, Washington & Michigan Avenues, 59.2
Green Bay Bike Trail, Shorewood Park to
   Wilmette/Kenilworth border, 1.3
Hibbard Park, Glenview Road & Skokie Blvd., 8.3
Howard Park, Ridge Road south of Lake Ave., 8.7
Keay Nature Learning Center, Hibbard Road & Skokie Blvd., 4.6
Lockerbie Park, Lockerbie Lane at Frontage Road, 0.3
Langdon Park, Chestnut & Sheridan Road, 3.4
Mallinckrodt Park, Ridge Road and Elmwood Avenue, 13.9
Maple Park, 4th & Maple Avenue, 2.1
Shorewood Park, Elmwood & Green Bay Road, 1.7
Thornwood Park, Dartmouth & Thornwood, 8.2
Vattmann Park, 15th Street & Lake Avenue, 4.1
West Park, south of Lake, west of Laramie, 7.0
Wheeler Park, Oakwood and Catalpa, .3
Wilmette Golf Club, 106.0