The Wilmette Park District is planning for the future of our parks and facilities, recreational activities and operations to best meet future needs of the Wilmette community, and we need YOUR help! Residents will be asked to provide feedback throughout the process, and the input will help create a clear vision for parks, facilities and recreation so that the Park District can best meet the needs of residents for play, health, wellness, open spaces and nature places. The end result will be a strategic and comprehensive plan.
Thank you for being an involved, interested member of Wilmette Park District - by visiting this project website, you are showing a desire to be a meaningful part of your community's future. We encourage you to return to this website throughout the project as we provide continuous opportunities for you to share your feedback.

Feedback, please!

Share your opinions, Wilmette residents! Below you can complete a quick 8-question survey developed to gain more insight and feedback on the items rated most important in the responses to a prior, statistically valid survey conducted in 2023. 

We value your feedback and look forward to your continued input and participation as we plan the future of our parks, programs, and facilities. 

The 2024 survey closes March 24, 2024.

Project Updates

2023 COMMUNITY NEEDS SURVEY FINISHED UP WITH STRONG RESPONSE

Response to the Wilmette Park District Project Parks and Play: Explore the Possibilities 2023 resident survey was fantastic. Approximately 1,200 households from across Wilmette returned the survey to the Park District’s research partner, aQity Research.

 “We are truly grateful and absolutely thrilled with the response from our residents,” said Wilmette Park District Executive Director Steve Wilson. “We don’t take for granted the time spent filling out the survey. This was a very important part of the process – our residents should be involved as we plan the future of their park district.”

Survey respondents weighed in on a variety of areas including current program offerings, general impressions and feelings about the Park District, and priorities for future park and recreation offerings.

The public feedback and survey components are part of the Park District’s larger comprehensive and strategic planning initiative, a dynamic long-term planning process that provides a guide for future growth and development for our parks and facilities, recreation programs, and operations to help us meet future needs.

2023 SURVEY RESULTS

aQity Research & Insights presented the survey results and findings during the May 8, 2023 Board of Park Commissioners meeting. Scroll down to the Project Documents section (below) to review the presentation and to find the full survey findings report. 

Highlights include: 

  • 88% have a favorable opinion of the Wilmette Park District
  • Park usage is high among residents
  • 46% are interested in an indoor pool
  • Half have participated in a Park District program in the past year
  • 79% list the Park District website as their top information source

ANALYSIS

The consulting team has been working behind the scenes to gain a deeper understanding of the District's programs, services, parks, facilities, and operations. Findings from the data gathered and assessments conducted inform the short- and long-term visioning process. 

VISIONING

Strategic planning work is nearly complete. The District's mission, vision, and guiding principles have been reviewed and modified; priorities and objectives are currently being developed and vetted. Development of the comprehensive plan recently began. 

Current Step - Engagement: Phase 2

Project Parks and Play's planning is nearly complete. After hearing from the community and utilizing the consulting team's analysis, we're looking for one more round of input from you, the Wilmette residents! We're particularly interested in diving in a bit deeper into some of the community survey results, specifically in the areas of wellness, trails, fitness, indoor pool concept exploration, community recreation center spaces, and future engagement activities. Please participate in our online survey here to help the District finalize its future plans!

Town Hall Meeting!

14
March
2024

Project Parks and Play Town Hall Meeting

Join us to learn more about the Project Parks and Play planning process, what we learned from the community and consultant analysis, and how that has shaped the draft strategic priorities. 

Agenda:

  • 6pm - Presentation
  • 6:30-8pm - Consulting team available for questions and answers

Location:  Community Recreation Center, Room...

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to your questions about: 

  • 2024 Phase 2 Survey
  • 2023 Community-wide Survey
  • Strategic and Comprehensive Planning
  • Community Involvement

Project Roadmap

Phase Complete

Initial Project Planning

Phase Complete

Engagement: Phase 1

Phase Complete

Analysis

Phase Complete

Visioning

Phase in Progress
Current Phase

Engagement: Phase 2

Future Phase

Final Plan and Implementation

Project Documents

Press Release: Project Announcement
Latest News Update: Community Engagement
Community Engagement: Phase 1 Extension Announcement
Community Survey Press Release
Environmental Scan Presentation, 4/24/2023
aQity Community Survey Results Presentation, 5/8/2023
Community Survey Findings Report, May 2023
Board Update, 10/23/23
Board Update, 2/26/24
Town Hall Meeting, 3/14/24
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