Issue link: https://pdop.uberflip.com/i/470638
3 The consultants also evaluated existing open space, facility conditions, current programming, future demographic projections and changing trends and identified gaps and overlaps in levels of service. Draft recommendations were presented at three community meetings in the fall and the Comprehensive Master Plan was approved by the Park Board in December 2014. Comprehensive Plan recommendations were categorized into short-term (1-3 years), mid-term (4 to 7 years) and on-going. The following short-term goals will be among the first items that the Park District will direct their focus. To view the entire Comprehensive Master Plan document, please visit www.pdop.org. • Enhance District Signage • Conduct a Feasibility Study for an Indoor Recreation Facility • Improve Adult Fitness Programming • Improve Environmental Education Programming • Implement Recommendations from the Marketing Branding Study • Collect, Analyze & Use Maintenance Data • Identify Opportunities to Engage the Parks Foundation By following and revisiting the recommendations detailed in the Plan over the next 10 years, the Park District will be able to evolve with the community, providing the high level of service that Village residents have come to expect. Enjoy Spring! Jessica Bullock, President Park Board of Commissioners OUR MISSION: In partnership with the community, we enrich lives by providing meaningful experiences through programs, parks and facilities. Dear Residents, BOARD OF PARK DISTRICT COMMISSIONERS Due to ongoing construction at the Hedges Administrative Center, Park Board meetings are temporarily being held at the Oak Park Conservatory, 615 Garfield Street, through March 2015. Park Board meetings are held at 7:30pm on the third Thursday of each month. Committee of the Whole meetings are generally held at 7:30pm the first Thursday of the month at the Oak Park Conservatory, 615 Garfield Street. Public comment is welcome at these meetings. 3 The Park District of Oak Park continues to strive to meet your parks and recreation needs. Some ways that we're striving to better meet your needs include: • Introducing a new punch pass system for our fitness classes to give you the flexibility to exercise on your schedule. • Expanding our "Clubhouse" afterschool program to Stevenson Center to accommodate the demand for this service • Initiating a new walking program this spring to invite residents to get outside and get fit. We are listening. If you have other ideas how we can better serve you, please contact us at info@pdop.org. Euclid Square Park In early January the Park District was awarded a $400,000 OSLAD Grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources for Phase II renovations of Euclid Square Park. The Park District will use these grant funds to construct a new, fully ADA-accessible playground featuring permeable rubber surfacing, renovate the existing tennis courts, including re-purposing one court for pickle ball, create a small sled hill for toddlers and improve the looped pathway system. In the past 10 years the Park District has received nearly $3.2 million dollars in OSLAD matching grant funds for the renewal of our parks. This grant award, like the others before it, allows the Park District to improve our parks for the enjoyment and enrichment of all Oak Park residents while allowing us to stretch our existing tax dollars. Oak Park residents can look forward to the completion of the Euclid Square Park renovation project in 2017. Comprehensive Master Plan The Park District of Oak Park wants to make sure it is ready to meet the future needs of our community. Over time, community needs evolve, demographics shift, and new trends emerge in how people want to enjoy their leisure time. As a result, the Park District engaged a team of consultants in February 2014 to develop an update to the 2004 Comprehensive Master Plan which outlined a system-wide plan of action for the next 10 years. The 2014 Comprehensive Master Plan was developed through a community-driven process including stakeholder interviews, focus groups and a parks and recreation needs assessment survey which resulted in the development of a list of priorities for facilities, open space and programs. Jessica Bullock, President Jessica.Bullock@pdop.org Paul Aeschleman, Vice-President Paul.Aeschleman@pdop.org Victor Guarino, Treasurer Victor.Guarino@pdop.org Sandy Lentz, Secretary Sandy.Lentz@pdop.org David Wick, Commissioner David.Wick@pdop.org Our anks Many thanks are extended to Jessica Bullock for sharing her time and expertise by serving on the Park Board for the past 8 years. She has made a significant impact on our organization by guiding us through the planning and construction of the GRC and RCRC. Through her tireless efforts, Jessica has made Oak Park a better place to live, work and play.