Spring-Summer 2010

     Imagine sitting in the sand at Gillson Beach, splashing down the water slide at Centennial Family Aquatic Center, or teeing off at the Wilmette Golf Club. While it might be hard to picture spring or summer right now, the Park District is already hard at work getting ready for warm weather activities and special events.
     This summer Wilmette Beach season pass holders will be trading their sew-on patches for photo ID cards. If you already hold a membership or season pass at Centennial Ice Rinks, Wilmette Tennis Club, Wilmette Golf Club, Center Fitness Club or the Aquatic Center, all you have to do is pay the seasonal fee and your card will automatically be updated to show you are a beach season pass holder. 
     Zeroing in on the lakefront, the Park District is getting ready to move into the second phase of developing a master plan for the lakefront operations. This phase will focus on gathering public input and brainstorming ideas on the future of Gillson and Langdon Parks.
     First up is the formation of a Lakefront Commission which we hope to accomplish this spring. The commission, which will act as an advisory group to the Board of Park Commissioners, will include elected officials, representatives from federal, state and local regulatory agencies, Wilmette residents and groups such as the Wilmette Harbor Association and Sheridan Shore Yacht Club.
     Two days of visioning by both the commission and general public will be scheduled sometime in the early fall to focus on concepts for the design, environment and programming at Gillson and Langdon Parks. JJR, a consultant coordinating this process for the Park District, will take the information gathered in these sessions and use it to create three options to guide land use and programming strategies. Those options will be presented to the general public for review and feedback.
     I invite you to participate in this process. During the summer, take a walk along the lakefront and take note of  how we can keep the best and improve the rest. When the public hearings are scheduled try to attend one. Information will be available on our website and posted in our facilities. Click here to view an analysis summary report detailing issues and opportunities along our lakefront which was prepared last summer by our consultants. I encourage you to take a look.
     In addition to visiting the lakefront, take advantage of your neighborhood park for a picnic, try some outdoor tennis, enjoy an evening show at Starlight Theatre in Gillson Park or a Sunday afternoon concert at Mallinckrodt Park. And when the heat gets to be too much—head over to Centennial Ice Rinks.
     We’re committed to keeping Wilmette one of the top park districts in Illinois. As always, we welcome your feedback on any and all of our facilities at any time.
                                      
Dennis G. O’Malley
President, Board of Park Commissioners
domalley@wilpark.org