Lake Ellyn Park Master Plan To Be Unveiled at Wednesday Night Meeting

After hiring a design/consulting firm and gathering public comment and feedback, the Lake Ellyn Park Master Plan is about to be revealed. Residents are encouraged to attend a public meeting Wednesday night to learn more about the plans for the future of the park.

The Glen Ellyn Park District and its consultant have held public meetings and gathered comments from residents, community groups and other stakeholders and are now prepared to present a plan to the community. Costs associated with implementing the plan will also be shared.

“I think what we looked at was on the surface the park appeared in good shape, but we have to keep in mind the property was developed in the 1900s,” said Dave Harris, Glen Ellyn Park District director. “We want to create a template to take it to the next 100 years.”

The meeting Wednesday night will begin with an introduction from the park district, a presentation from representatives from Conservation Design Forum and Farr Associates and a formal public comment period.

The park district doesn’t want to significantly change the lake or the characteristics of the park, Harris said.

“The way the consultant described it, it’s called the 'Jewel of Glen Ellyn' and he described it as ‘polishing the gem’.”

The goal is to update the park, but not make significant changes, Harris said. Some of the items considered include:

• Historically preserving the boathouse
• Improving park accessibility through pathways and limited parking
• Restoring landscape and natural areas
• Replacing the playground
• Focusing on improving water quality of the lake while creating a new dock and additional access points

“We’d like people to come and attend the presentation and hear it, whether it’s the first time or fourth or fifth time,” Harris said. “It’s a unique piece of property, a neighborhood park and a community property, that is the complexity of the process. … We’ve tried to be sensitive and respectful of everyone’s perspectives and wants and needs and realize we won’t satisfy everyone but will hope to.”

The park district believes the plan reflects the interests of the majority of the people who participated in the process and who represent the community as a whole, Harris said.

The meeting will allow for public comment, he said.  The plan may be adjusted and tweaked if there are overriding issues that a majority of residents share.

Harris stressed, this is still the start of the process and costs will also be discussed. The park district has a pretty good estimate of the costs involved in implementing the plan and those costs exceed the park district’s funding capability.

The plan will go to the Glen Ellyn Park District board in January. The board will take it under consideration and move to formally accept the plan. 

The Lake Ellyn Park Master Plan meeting will be held at 7 p.m. at the Lake Ellyn Boathouse. Information on the Lake Ellyn Master Plan may be found on the Glen Ellyn Park District's website. 

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