Here’s what’s going on at the Elmhurst Park District
The Elmhurst Park District Board held a regular meeting on Feb. 27 at the district’s administrative office at 375 W. First Street. Commissioner Doug Ennis and Commissioner Anthony Pelosi were both absent from the meeting.
There were no public comments.
Imprinted apparel items approved
Board members voted unanimously to approve the consent agenda for the meeting, which included the awarding of the district’s 2017 imprinted wearables bid for about $25,300 with Sunburst Sportswear of Glendale Heights. The bid is for about 4,900 items covering the district’s imprinted wearable needs for program participants, as well as full-time and part-time staff members. Four organizations submitted bids for the project. Sunburst Sportswear submitted the lowest responsible bid, which amounted to $5.15 per item. Board approval was required because the bid exceeded $25,000.
Spring tree planting project to begin
The meeting’s consent agenda also included the awarding of the district’s 2017 spring tree planting project to Alaniz Lawncare, Inc. of Elgin. The project includes the base bid of about $25,600, plus an alternate of about $4,200. There were nine bidders for the project. Alaniz Lawncare submitted the lowest responsible bid. The project includes the planting of a total of 75 trees throughout the district, including 38 tree memorial replacements. Twelve of the 38 tree memorial replacements are trees that were removed during the City of Elmhurst’s storm water maintenance project at York Commons. The park district will receive funds from the city that will be used this year and in future years for tree replacement. The alternate bid of about $4,200 consists of the planting of seven larger trees near the playgrounds at Butterfield Park and East End Park.
Paver replacement planned at Depot, Wild Meadows Trace
The board also voted unanimously during the meeting to award a separate project to Alaniz Lawncare of Elgin. The district accepted the company’s base bid of about $22,300 for the paver replacement project at the Depot, located in Wild Meadows Trace. Alaniz Lawncare, one of four bidders, submitted the lowest bid.
The project, which is scheduled to begin in the fall, includes the removal of the existing pavers, which are worn and chipped. The new pavers, which will reportedly look similar to the existing pavers, will provide a smoother surface for pedestrians and bicyclists, as well as improving accessibility for disabled visitors. A section of the existing pavers will be kept in place at the site, which is located along the former Great Western Railroad. Wild Meadows Trace and the restored Great Western Railroad Depot were dedicated on July 4, 1976.
Tennis courts at Berens to be resurfaced
The board voted unanimously to award the resurfacing project of the north tennis courts at Berens Park to Allstar Asphalt Inc., of Wheeling. The project includes a base bid of about $122,000, plus an alternate of about $3,200 to replace tennis posts and nets. The six north tennis courts at Berens Park have not had a major overhaul since their construction in 2004. The courts are used by the York High School boys and girls tennis programs, as well as park district programs and open recreational players. The courts are in need of renovation because of cracking and surface issues. Four companies submitted bids for the project, with Allstar Asphalt submitting the lowest responsible bid. The same company completed a resurfacing project of the tennis courts and roller hockey court at Eldridge Park in 2016.
The resurfacing project of the six north courts at Berens Park will begin shortly after the York boys tennis team’s season ends in late may. The project will be completed when the York girls tennis program’s season begins in August. According to information provided by the park district, the newly resurfaced courts should last for approximately 20 years.
The six south courts at the park will be available for use during the summer.
New marketing and communications director
At the end of the meeting, Elmhurst Park District Executive Director Jim Rogers introduced Kari Felkamp, the district’s new director of marketing and communications director, to the board. Felkamp spent the last 11 years as the Batavia Park District’s director of marketing and public relations. She succeeds Ginger Wade, who announced her retirement in December. Wade, who spent about five years as the Elmhurst Park District’s director of marketing and communications, retired on March 1.
The park district board will hold its next regular meeting on March 13.
