The Bensenville Park District is updating its current strategic plan with a forward-looking, collaborative, integrated approach to meet developing trends in park programming. The district is developing Bensenville Park District 2.0, a multi-year capital improvement and program upgrade initiative, which will address current realities through a multi-year capital improvement initiative at no additional tax burden to district residents to provide new, contemporary facilities and programs for children, adults, seniors and families.
The initiative focuses on facilities, information technology, and program enhancements through intergovernmental agreements to enhance programming and space utilization.
Possible projects could include:
New playgrounds and park amenities,
Infrastructure improvements,
Multipurpose athletic fields,
Outdoor soccer fields, and
Deferred maintenance.
All proposed plans and investments will be publicly disclosed, and the Bensenville Park District website will ensure park patrons and all stakeholders are well informed through information sessions and presentations conducted at regular and special board meetings.
The Origin of Bensenville Park District 2.0
At the direction of the Bensenville Park District Board of Commissioners, the district is exploring opportunities to collaborate with prospective partners, park patrons and leisure/recreational investors to build, upgrade and repair park district facilities.
In 2020 and 2021, the global pandemic allowed the park district to expand upon this work and prioritize facilities, programs and infrastructure projects that would most benefit taxpayers. This review found many repairs and facility improvements that need to be made as part of a deferred maintenance program, including more than $500,000 to the Deer Grove Leisure Center, built in 1989; $1.3 million to the Bensenville Water Park & Splash Pad; and significant repairs to the White Pines Golf Club, including roof replacements at the banquet hall, cart barn, and storage barn in addition to tree removal and trimming costs.
The park district conducted a facility assessment in 2022-23, and the findings were approved by the board in January 2023. Based on this assessment, the Bensenville Park District updated its capital improvement plan.
In October 2024, the park district board approved a bond issue in excess of $4 million for new and ongoing capital projects. The bond issue falls well short of the district’s bonding authority and allows for unforeseen circumstances that may require emergency repair or replacement. Most importantly, the bond issue allows for park district improvements without an additional tax burden.
Capital Improvement Plan
Bensenville Park District 2.0 contains approximately $4.5 million in community investment directed at neighborhood parks as well as facilities that directly benefit the populations of Bensenville and Wood Dale the district serves. This section outlines park and facility needs and projects as well as a timeline for implementation.
Parks and Facilities
ARBOR PARK
KaBOOM! Playground Site (Installed Summer 2023)
Sidewalks, fencing, trees (Completed Summer 2024)
BREITER-PALM PARK
Playground for All (Completed June 2022)
Shelter
Exercise Stations (Completed 2022)
New Interpretive Signage (Completed 2023)
BENSENVILLE RAILROAD MUSEUM
ADA Accessibility
Fence Replacement
Building Renovation
Signage
DEER GROVE LEISURE CENTER
Heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC, Completed Summer 2023)
Siding repair and replacement (Completed Summer 2024)
ADA Door Installation (Completed Summer 2024)
Parking Lot Light Pole Replacement (Fall 2024)
Parking Lot Resealing (Completed 2023)
DIORIO PARK
Infield Resurfacing (Completed Summer 2024)
FISCHER FARM
Acquired summer 2022 from DuPage County Forest Preserve
Infrastructure Improvements
Roofing
Fencing
Concrete Work
Permeable Paver Installation
KREMPELS PARK
LIONS PARK
PINES PARK
PINE ROOM
General maintenance
POPLAR PARK
SUNRISE PARK
New Accessible Playground
New Soccer Field
Futsal Court
New Pickleball Courts
SUNSET PARK
VARBLE WOODS
VETERANS PARK
Dog Park Development: Signage, Fence Repair, Gate Installation, Pet Waste Stations, Shelters, Landscape Improvements
Building Maintenance
Fencing
Railroad Museum Updates
WATER PARK and SPLASH PAD
Basin Replacement (Expected completion Spring 2024)
Concrete Deck Replacement (Upcoming)
Bath House and Pump House Roofing
Drop Slide Renovation (Spring 2024)
New Decking Between Bath Houses (Fall 2024)
Landscaping (Ongoing)
WHITE PINES GOLF CLUB
New Marquee Signage (Installed Summer 2024)
New Gaming Room (Installed Spring 2024)
HVAC (9 units)
Electrical/Water Service to Pavilion at White Pines (In Progress 2024-25)
Parking Lot sealing and repair
Banquet Hall Carpet
Cart Path Annual Maintenance
Tree Maintenance
Miscellaneous Repairs
Driving Range Lighting (Completed 2021)
Enhancing Information Technology Infrastructure
Bensenville Park District is investing in technology to better connect with district residents, to improve internal processes, and to enhance the image of the organization in the community.
A major technology improvement planned is the Bensenville Park District’s move to web registration. Vermont System’s WebTrac takes the power of the district’s current software, RecTrac, and makes it accessible to the community. The result is a user-friendly interface for patrons with just one information source for the park district to manage. Real-time transactions and customized screens will make every interaction with the park district seamless and project a professionally-polished image. The result is a better experience for park district patrons and less administrative work by employees.
Another major investment is the implementation of the district’s Paycom system for managing human resources processes and functions in a comprehensive manner. In addition to improving the hiring and onboarding processes, the implementation of the Paycom system has streamlined the process of managing timecards, expenses, PTO, benefits and more and allows managers to knock out frequent supervisory tasks when and where it’s convenient for them. The payroll function is integrated with these applications and other HR functions, allowing managers and staff to spend more time on the things that matter most.
The marketing and communications department has reallocated resources to invest in a more cost-effective, web-based asset management platform to provide access to more creative assets in the areas of web design, photography, video and music. Web registration is expected to be implemented in spring 2025 as part of the RecTrac upgrade. Web users will see new page-turning software on the website with enhanced features that will allow direct links from a viewable copy of the program guide directly to the registration page. This streamlined approach will provide customers a better user experience moving forward.
Gathering Input
The Bensenville Park District 2.0 initiative values input of all kinds in planning for the future of Bensenville parks and facilities. These inputs include professional evaluations as well as community inputs through meetings with residents, surveys, open forums and other research.
In October 2024, the park district held a series of Capital Project Info Sessions to engage residents in the planning and building process. District leadership interacted with members of the public with each of four info sessions held at the Deer Grove Leisure Center, Fischer Farm, Sunrise Park and Veterans Park.
A task force convened in October 2020 to discuss initiatives regarding the Americans with Disabilities Act and inclusion, which resulted in plans for a new, all-inclusive playground to help give children of all abilities the chance to play together on the same playground. The new, all-Inclusive ADA-accessible playground at Breiter-Palm Park, with a scheduled grand opening June 18, 2022, is designed for children ages 5-12 with all ability levels. This neighborhood investment is the first capital project of the Bensenville Park District 2.0 initiative and serves as a catalyst for making recreation and open spaces accessible for the entire family.
As the Arbor Park Kaboom! playground project progresses, residents were engaged in the planning, design and construction of the playground (volunteers) in spring and summer, 2023.
The 2.0 initiative also will engage community ambassadors to share valuable information, and the district will hold community forums to engage residents regarding potential enhancements and improvements in the park district.
Giving Back to the Community
Friends of Bensenville Parks
In order to support participation of those throughout the district in programs, despite income restraints, a 501(c)3 not-for-profit foundation was formed. The Friends of Bensenville Parks Foundation was formed in 2023 with the goal of supporting vibrant, accessible and inclusive recreational programs in spaces for the entire community to enjoy.
In summer 2023, the foundation held its first event, the Fore the Kids Golf Outing, which raised approximately $15,000 to be used for participation scholarships for park patrons in need of assistance.
Bensenville Park District Cares
Bensenville Park District Cares is a new community outreach program steeped in volunteerism to make the community a better place to live, work and play. The initiative combines volunteers from the community and park district in addition to charitable giving on the part of park district employees through a variety of mediums designed to positively impact those in need.
BPD Cares helps build a brighter and stronger community. The park district will have exciting and fun opportunities throughout the year for all residents to participate in that bring joy and purpose to one’s life. Examples include blood and vaccine drives, Earth Day clean-ups, days of service, parades and more!
