Recreation Feasibility Study
Planning for the Future of Our Parks and Facilities
Wilmette Park District is taking an important step in planning for the future of our parks and facilities, including Big Tree Lane. As we embrace new trends and community changes, we want to carefully examine how our spaces are used, what could be improved and how we can best meet residents’ needs.
To help with this, we have started a planning and feasibility study for the Community Recreation Center, Centennial Recreation Complex and Big Tree Lane. We are not making any quick decisions. Instead, we are gathering information, looking at different options and setting a strong base for future choices. The study will review facility conditions, look at how programs and spaces are used, find out what the community needs, and consider different possibilities along with their costs. Community input is important in this process. We will keep residents updated and offer chances to share feedback through surveys, meetings and other ways to get involved. For Big Tree Lane, we will explore options ranging from keeping the current building footprint to reconstruction and new amenities.
An important milestone in this process will occur on Monday, June 8, when the two finalist consulting teams present to the Board of Commissioners during the Regular Board Meeting. After a comprehensive selection process involving nine firms, Wight & Company and Dewberry were selected as finalists. Each team will present its methodology, relevant experience, and vision for conducting the study.
After the presentations, Commissioners will assess each firm using a scoring rubric and provide feedback to inform the selection of the most qualified consultant to lead the project. The chosen firm is expected to be announced at the June 22 Committee of the Whole Meeting.
Timeline & Next Steps
• June: Consultant selection
• July: Project kickoff – initial data collection and facility assessments
• Mid-Late Summer: Community engagement begins; analysis of programming, usage and market trends
• Early Fall: Development of preliminary concepts and scenarios
• Late Fall: Refinement of options, financial analysis and draft recommendations
• Winter 2026/2027: Final report and presentation to the Park Board; identification of next steps.
This process gives us a chance to pause and think about how our facilities, including Big Tree Lane, can best serve Wilmette now and in the future. We look forward to sharing updates and hearing from residents as we move forward.
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