The Elmhurst Park District Enriching lives while having fun

BY LARRY ATSEFF | PHOTOS BY VICTOR HILITSKI

The Elmhurst Park District is an integral part of Elmhurst and, in 2020, celebrated 100 years of operation. All told, there are 29 parks across 475 acres. Year-round there are 70 fulltime employees, and in the warmer months, there are as many as 700 part-time and seasonal employees. The Park District is the city’s largest employer of young people and is guided by a Board of seven elected commissioners who serve voluntarily.

Over the years, the Park District has planned and added programs and services so that residents can benefit from various activities that help the collective mind, body, and spirit. In fact, it takes a 140-page brochure to cover it all. Once upon a time, brochures were printed and mailed to all 19,000 homes and apartments in Elmhurst. Today, in a nod to the conservation of trees and to adapt to the on-demand nature of our society, the brochure is online, and upon request, the Park District mails out only about 2,000 copies. Visit epd.org, and you can see the entire line-up of activities. To say they are comprehensive is an understatement. You can learn new skills, get plenty of exercise, or take an occasional stroll on one of the many miles of trails. The brochures are well-organized and easy to navigate.

Elmhurst Magazine sat down with Jim Rogers, Executive Director of the

Elmhurst Park District, at Centennial Park, the Park District’s newest park, in late March. We wanted to fully appreciate and report on how the Park District fulfills its mission of enriching lives while having fun.

WHAT IS YOUR BACKGROUND IN PARK LEADERSHIP?

I have spent 30 years with the Park District and, over the years, worked my way up through many different departments in the organization. I am a Certified Parks and Recreation Professional, as are many of our staff at varying levels. We also have staff who are Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialists and Certified Playground Safety Inspectors. Staff at the Elmhurst Park District truly care about providing quality programs, events, and facilities to the community!

HOW DOES THE PARK DISTRICT DECIDE ON WHAT IS OFFERED TO RESIDENTS?

We listen to the residents through surveys and feedback given to our employees and feedback from the employees themselves. And then, we use our collective best judgment and professional experience to figure out how to prioritize best the interests that result in the activities residents enjoy the most. We’re also about to begin a planning effort to review the District’s current and potential future offerings that will involve asking for residents’ input. I encourage everyone to share their thoughts and ideas when that process begins later this spring.

CAN YOU SHARE AN EXAMPLE?

Centennial Park is a great example of listening to community feedback. We knew the neighborhood north of St.

Charles Road and east of York Road lacked access to a park, and we also heard that the community wanted more programs and services for adults. So when the former Redeemer Center building and land became available, the Board made the shrewd decision to purchase it and turn it into what’s now the Centennial Recreation Center and Centennial Park. So, in addition to a state-of-theart playground, we consolidated services in one facility to make it easier for seniors and adults to have access. The playground also has equipment geared toward all ages – from toddlers to seniors!

WHAT ARE SOME HIGHLIGHTS FROM YOUR SPRING BROCHURE?

The spring brochure gave residents a chance to register for both spring and summer activities, including camps and aquatics and popular events such as our Egg Hunts. This spring, we offered four egg huntsone for children, one for adults, one for teens, and even one for dogs. We also listed many camps in our spring brochure, including dance, theatre, and sports, in addition to our popular day camp, Funseekers.

WHAT ARE THE HIGHLIGHTS TO LOOK FOR IN YOUR SUMMER BROCHURE?

Our summer brochure, which was released in April features popular events like Eldridge Adventure Day, Park Palooza, and a new Concert in the Park. We also have an event just for adults called Bags, Brew & BBQ that was created in 2019 as a direct result of community feedback. The summer brochure also has some newly added camp options and trips. There’s really something for everyone!

HOW DID YOUR PARKS FARE DURING THE PANDEMIC?

Early on, because people were told to stay inside and not gather in crowds, use of the parks took a hit. As time wore on, however, people realized that getting out and getting some fresh air in the wide-open spaces of our parks was a good and safe thing to do, and residents started showing up more and more. Today, the parks are busier than ever, and it is good to see.

HOW DOES THE PARK DISTRICT INTERACT WITH OTHER ENTITIES IN TOWN, LIKE ELMHURST UNIVERSITY?

The University is right across the street from Wilder Park. Both of us are landlocked, so we find ways to work together. For example, through a cooperative agreement, ball fields for the men’s baseball and women’s softball teams have been developed in District parks, and we’re able to utilize campus parking lots for some of our events at the Wilder Mansion.

WHAT IS ON THE HORIZON?

Well, the next thing we would like to bring to the community is a Dog Park. We’ve secured space east of Elmhurst Hospital at York and Roosevelt and have an approved master plan. Staff is currently working on finalizing design plans, permitting, and operations plans, and we plan to start construction and open the park in 2024.

ANY LAST WORDS?

The weather is getting nicer, and more people are heading out to take advantage of the community’s many beautiful parks. We hope you’ll look at our expanded program offerings in our current brochure, register, and take advantage of all the Elmhurst Park District has to offer! We look forward to seeing you. ■

Thanks to Tim at Paul Bunyon’s. Our Fischer Farm location has never been so safe removing all our diseased trees. Jose - Bensenville Park District

We made the right decision when we hired Paul Bunyon’s Tree Service to have our trees thinned out to avoid injury to our patrons. James - Broadview Park District