The Winnetka Park District Board of Commissioners officially approved the Winnetka Comprehensive Master Plan at the Regular Board Meeting on October 23, 2025, marking a major milestone in the Park District’s long-term planning initiative, Plan! Winnetka Parks.
Winnetka Park District’s Comprehensive Master Plan is the district’s forward-looking vision for the future of Winnetka’s parks, beaches, facilities, and recreation programs. Developed in partnership with Berry, Dunn, McNeil & Parker, LLC (BerryDunn) – a nationally recognized parks and recreation consulting firm – the plan is rooted in extensive community engagement and comprehensive analysis.
On July 18, 2024, the Winnetka Park District engaged BerryDunn to lead the development of the Comprehensive Master Plan, a 10-year guide designed to evaluate and enhance park district facilities and open spaces. In September 2024, residents helped shape the plan through focus groups, pop-up events, open houses, stakeholder meetings, and community surveys. Their input helped identify the priorities that matter most to the community – preserving and improving parks and beaches, expanding recreation opportunities, and investing in high-quality facilities that serve Winnetka for generations to come.
Guided by extensive data, facility assessments, and demographic analysis, the resulting six-phase Comprehensive Master Plan provides a strategic framework for the next decade. It will be used in tandem with the Park District’s Strategic Plan – a five-year, living document that translates long-term goals into measurable, actionable steps. Together, these plans form a unified vision for the District’s future, promoting accountability, transparency, and consistent progress.
Regular reviews and updates to both plans will ensure they remain responsive to changing community needs and priorities.