A Better Winnetka

Over the summer, the Park District initiated the Skokie Playfield Master Plan project with the goal of developing a strategic plan for the Playfield after consideration of the needs, wants and culture of Winnetka , the limitations of the Playfield and cost, land planning and open space issues. A wide range of options will be examined and the project is expected to take 9-12 months to complete.

At the September 11, 2008 Park District Regular Board Meeting, the Commissioners unanimously agreed that this Master Plan process will be the Park District’s most important undertaking in the next 10 years . The Commissioners publicly mentioned the need “to do this plan right” and “to include public input to build consensus, public trust and confidence.”

The last Skokie Playfield Master Plan was created in 1998, and led to the 2000 Referendum which was defeated. According to Liza McElroy, Park District Director, the 1998 Plan subsequently “sat on a shelf” and was never used. The Park District Board and Staff stated that after 10 years, it is time to update the plan, especially considering a recommendation of the Outdoor Pool Committee that includes the use of the Playfield for an outdoor pool.

A subcommittee, the Skokie Playfield Master Plan Committee, was formed this summer and includes President Kurtz, Commissioners Pierce and Vanden Bosch and Executive Staff Members. The Committee’s first task, the selection an external Land Planning consultant, led to development of an RFP that was sent to 11 firms, of which 7 firms submitted bid proposals. The Committee chose 3 finalists and recommended one, The Lakota Group (in conjunction with Urban Forest Management and Gewalt Hamilton Associates), as “hands down, the clear and unanimous winner.”

A motion was made at the September 11^th Board Meeting to approve the selection of the Lakota Group with the cost not to exceed $70,000. However, some Commissioners were concerned about the cost and felt that it is too high and involves too many hours, especially since the 1998 Plan only cost $18,000, was developed and never used, and the runner-up consultant’s bid is far lower. The Board decided not to vote on the motion, but instead to request that the Lakota Group examine the 1998 Plan to see what information can be used and updated, thereby saving time and money. The Board decided to invite the Lakota Group to its September 25, 2008 Regular Board Meeting to present, after examining all the existing Park District materials, potential cost cutting measures.

Check the Park District’s website, including the Board information page, for more information on upcoming meetings regarding this issue as it becomes available. The Board also agreed to provide information to the Winnetka Talk.