NO AUDIO ON CHANNEL 6 - PLEASE USE VILLAGE STREAMING FEED TO VIEW BOARD MEETING:
For details, check our Bulletin Board post, below.
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NO AUDIO ON CHANNEL 6 - PLEASE USE VILLAGE STREAMING FEED TO VIEW BOARD MEETING:
For details, check our Bulletin Board post, below.
NO AUDIO ON CHANNEL 6 - PLEASE USE VILLAGE STREAMING FEED TO VIEW BOARD MEETING:
For details, check our Bulletin Board post, below.
START DATE
Fall 2024
PROJECTED END DATE
Spring 2025
LOCATION
Gillson Park, Wilmette
At the August 26 Committee of the Whole (COW) meeting, Commissioners reviewed plans for the pedestrian/auto/bicycle path along Harbor Drive. Preliminary work is set to begin on Tuesday, September 3. This project will continue throughout September and into 2025.
Gillson Park, recently listed in the National Register of Historic Places, suffers from deteriorating roadways and issues with drainage throughout the park. In addition, the park’s Harbor Drive presents a safety hazard due to the lack of an integrated path for pedestrians and cyclists.
In December 2020, the Wilmette Park District engaged consultants from the Lakota Group and Woodhouse Tinucci Architects to evaluate Gillson and propose ideas for enhancing the overall visitor experience, and to engage the public in the process.
Over three years, the public planning process unfolded including presentations, open houses, feedback sessions and resident surveys. Various park update concepts were presented and assessed. Throughout this process, the Wilmette community expressed a strong preference for minimal changes to the park. Consequently, the Park District Board and staff decided to focus exclusively on addressing Gillson’s most urgent structural and safety issues.
In August 2022, a Gillson roadway survey indicated that our community preferred to keep the current road configuration in the park, but convert Middle Drive to a path for non-vehicular traffic (future plan). With this input, the District began work with engineers from Gewalt Hamilton Associates to develop an infrastructure project scope and plan.
Planning activities continued throughout 2023. Following a six-month permitting process, the Board of Park Commissioners approved bids for construction and construction management on June 10 of this year. The project will begin in September and is scheduled for completion in May, 2025. The specific components of the project are:
For more information about this project, read our FAQ document here
The overall goal of the Gillson Infrastructure Improvement Project is to preserve Gillson for future generations by providing safe roads and pathways for visitors, and efficient drainage systems.
Wilmette Park District and consultants from Lakota Group and Woodhouse Tinucci Architects host Gillson public engagement events on October 23 and 27, and November 3.
Lakota Group and Woodhouse Tinucci Architects present feedback received during three public engagement events on October 23 and 27, and November 3. They offer new recommendations based on the feedback and further analysis. The Board agrees to focus on vehicular circulation patterns and narrows the discussion to three concepts.
The Board of Park Commissioners direct Lakota Group and Park District staff to create a survey for input on the three roadway options under consideration.
The Gillson roadway survey posts on the Park District website and social media, and is sent to over 21,000 on the Park District email list.
The Park Board reviews results from the Roadway Survey indicating a preference to keep the current road configuration in the park, but convert Middle Drive to a path for non-vehicular traffic. The Board directs District staff to move forward with the planning process.
Gewalt Hamilton and Associates' lead project engineer presents information on timing and phasing of work, traffic considerations while work progresses, and an update on planning status.
Gewalt Hamilton presents a project update to the Board of Park Commissioners.
The Board of Park Commissioners approves Gewalt Hamilton bids for Gillson Infrastructure Project construction and construction management.
At the August 26 Committee of the Whole (COW) meeting, Commissioners reviewed plans for the pedestrian/auto/bicycle path along Harbor Drive. Preliminary work is set to begin on Tuesday, September 3. This project will continue throughout September and into 2025.
Photos
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Enriching the quality of community life through creative programming for people of all ages and abilities, while protecting open spaces and natural resources for future generations.
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Enriching the quality of community life through creative programming for people of all ages and abilities, while protecting open spaces and natural resources for future generations.
Enriching the quality of community life through creative programming for people of all ages and abilities, while protecting open spaces and natural resources for future generations.
Quick LInks
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