Wilmette Park District responds to backlash after erecting fences at Gillson Park’s South Beach earlier this year with a survey opportunity for upgrades proposed at another Park District property.
An overhaul of Wilmette’s Hibbard Park is in the planning stage and officials said they hope a state grant will cover as much as half the cost of the million-dollar project slated to start next year.
“Our state senators and representatives fight very hard every year come the budget process to make sure that grant program is in place for all the communities throughout the state,” said Wilmette Park District Executive Director Steve Wilson. “We’re hopeful to participate in the distribution of those funds in the next year or two for this project.”
Wilmette plans to submit its application for the state’s Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development Grant in coming months. The grant amount can cover as much as 50% of the cost the project, Wilson said.
“One of the requirements of the grant is that we’re committed to doing this project either way,” he said, adding the village hopes to hear if it got the grant early next year. He also said the exact cost of the project has not yet been determined.
“That’s the work ahead of us,” he said.
Preliminary plans call for ADA improvements in the park in the 3000 block of Glenview Road, baseball field improvements, creation of a safe loop trail, installation of a pavilion, native plant improvements, outdoor fitness stations, skate park updates and Tot Lot updates.
“It’s nice to have more than one thing in a grant application,” Wilson explained. “People have asked for pavilions and outdoor fitness so we’re looking at it a little more comprehensively (more) than just the Tot Lot to be replaced.”
The Park District has also made sure to get public input on its proposal – having held two public hearings and posted an online survey on its website. The survey closes on July 31.
“We’re trying to get better in that in almost everything we do,” said Wilson. “That’s definitely a key piece of feedback that we constantly hear from the public that (says) ‘I didn’t know about this.’ We’re trying to get better in that respect in a lot of ways.”
The online survey regarding Hibbard Park comes in the wake of a community backlash after the Park District erected a fence across Gillson Park’s South Beach this summer and started charging admission fees.
Some residents claimed the Park District erred in putting the fence up and argued charging an entrance fee would have the effect of closing the beach to those who can’t afford it. A grassroots group called Unfence Gillson launched a website in protest and lawn signs stating promoting the group have popped up in the village in the last few months.
“Wilmette Park District recently erected a fence across Gillson Park’s South Beach, charging admission fees to what had been a free and open public park for over 100 years,” the website says. “This decision, made without proper notice or community input, has sparked community outrage due to restricted access and new fees. We are rallying to demand transparency and the removal of these barriers to keep Gillson Park open and inclusive for everyone.”
Wilson said the Park District is very aware of the backlash and has made some changes to address residents concerns.
“We’re trying to get better in all areas,” he said. “I am the first to admit we can’t communicate with everyone on every topic. Or we haven’t, but we’re going to keep trying to get better at it.”
Wilson told Pioneer Press in April that the fencing was erected in response to an increase in what he called “unsafe behavior” at South Beach. After COVID-19 restrictions were lifted, increased crowds and the use of alcohol caused several altercations between Park District staff and beachgoers. Wilson said police had to be called multiple times to break up crowds.
“We understand that…we’ve taken away something that people have had for a long time and that’s not wonderful,” he said. “We’re going to keep looking at it so we can make it as best as possible for everybody.”
He also said that if everything goes as planned construction at Hibbard Park could start in the fall of 2025.
“We can get in there and do the work when it’s the least disruptive,” he said.
Brian L. Cox is a freelance reporter with Pioneer Press.
