Park District Recap: Weddings Set at Cosley Zoo, Pool Pass Prices Up, Sensory Garden Grant

The following recaps the Wheaton Park District Board of Commissioners meeting Wednesday, Oct. 19 at City Hall:

Pool pass prices up

The board approved to raise pool pass prices $2 for Wheaton residents and $3 for non-residents for the 2012 season. Staff estimates the increases will bring $22,800 in additional park district revenue. 

As park district costs continue to climb, Board President Ray Morrill said, “We’re trying to go out and charge non-residents and the more we charge for non-residents the more we can hold the line on what we charge residents. We have communities around us such as Warrenville and Winfield who don’t have swimming pools and may never, so we’re hoping we can get their dollars.”

Sensory Garden and Playground kicks off with $150,000

The board passed the resolution to accept a check for $150,000 as the grand prizewinner in the first-ever Landscape Structures “Together We Play” essay contest. The money will go toward equipment from Shane’s Inspiration for the Sensory Garden and Playground at Danada South Park and planning services from Landscape Structures.

Representatives from Shane’s Inspiration and Landscape Structures presented the check Wednesday and commended the park district for its leadership and commitment to inclusive play.

The  will be the first of its kind east of Colorado. Shane’s Inspiration parks are universally accessible, with the vision of “fostering a bias-free world for children with disabilities.”

Bid approved for fence replacement, detention area at Cosley Zoo

Commissioners approved a bid for $129,000 to create a detention area at Cosley Zoo and replace the fence along the south side of the zoo that encroaches neighbors. The approved contractor will be required to complete grading work between Nov. 1 and 23. Fence work and landscaping will be completed in spring 2012. 

Cosley Zoo now an option for weddings

The Park District has secured two weddings at  in 2012 in its focus on exploring avenues of revenue generation through facility rentals. A team of park district staff this year has researched comparable rental venues to determine a pricing structure and potential vendors for the events. The park district is also exploring vendor options for the  and parks throughout Wheaton.

Board president Ray Morrill commended staff Wednesday and suggested Cosley could compete with Brookfield Zoo as a wedding site.  

buys food, supplies for the year

Commissioners approved the food supplies bid for a contract beginning Nov. 1 and ending October 31, 2012. The bids include appetizers, dairy, seafood, poultry, general groceries, dry goods and beverages and total $532,216. 

The next board meeting is at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 16 at .