Winnetka, IL: The Winnetka Park District has embarked on an exciting journey towards enhancing its park and recreation offerings with the completion of a ten-year Comprehensive Master Plan. This transformative initiative aims to shape the future of public spaces and recreation activities, ensuring they meet the diverse needs and preferences of community members.
BerryDunn, a consulting firm known for its expertise, innovation, and action-oriented approach, is leading the planning effort. With industry experts and former practitioners on the team, BerryDunn aims to provide practical recommendations tailored to the Winnetka Park District’s needs and is honored to serve the community.
The heart of this endeavor is an effort to gather insights directly from residents through a statistically valid survey. This survey, designed and administered by ETC Institute, will serve as a cornerstone in the development of the Comprehensive Master Plan. By leveraging data-driven decision-making, the Winnetka Park District is poised to reimagine parks, recreation programs, and facilities that truly reflect the desires and aspirations of residents. Surveys will be mailed to a random selection of households beginning the week of November 18. Residents who receive the survey can return it by mail or complete it online. After 400 completed surveys are collected, residents who were not selected can participate through the project website.
“We believe community input is essential for driving positive change,” Executive Director, Shannon Nazzal said. “This survey is not just about collecting opinions; it is about empowering residents to play an active role in shaping the future of their parks and recreation programs. Every response matter, and we encourage everyone who receives a survey to take part.”
The survey will cover a broad range of topics, including current park usage, satisfaction with facilities and programs, community needs and priorities, preferred communication channels, and demographic information. It has been meticulously crafted to ensure a representative sample of the Winnetka population, making it a statistically valid tool for decision-making.
The launch of the survey marks the end of an inclusive and collaborative engagement process that started in September and included pop up events and public open house and online activity forum. Community focus groups, stakeholder meetings, and in-person engagement were also facilitated by the BerryDunn consulting team.
As part of the Comprehensive Master Plan, several partners are contributing their expertise to evaluate and improve the district’s facilities. Hitchcock Design Group is assessing all parks and park amenities, while Williams Architects is focused on evaluating the indoor recreation facilities. In addition, BerryDunn will conduct a series of critical analyses, including a recreation assessment, staffing review, and a cost-of-service study. The entire planning effort is expected to conclude in July 2025, culminating in a final presentation to the Park District Board of Commissioners.
Residents are also invited to contribute their thoughts via the engagement site until November 30.