Reflecting on an Incredible Year
2025 was a year full of energy, progress, and memorable experiences. As we reflect on the past year, we celebrate the moments that strengthened our community, expanded our programs, and created meaningful connections. Join us as we look back on the highlights that made 2025 another outstanding year to remember.
Understanding Your Bill
This graphic illustrates how each property tax dollar is distributed among local taxing bodies. Of every dollar paid, only 7 cents supports the Wheeling Park District. The remaining funds are allocated to schools, the Village of Wheeling, Cook County, and other governmental services.
The Wheeling Park District maximize s this small portion of tax revenue to maintain parks, facilities, programs, and community services that enhance quality of life for residents of all ages.
Distinguished Accredited Agency
The Wheeling Park District was recognized as an Illinois Distinguished Accredited Agency by the Illinois Association of Park Districts (IAPD) and the Illinois Park and Recreation Association (IPRA), a designation that reflects excellence in park and recreation operations statewide.
The Illinois Distinguished Accreditation program includes a comprehensive evaluation of governance, finance, facilities, programming, safety, and community engagement. Agencies must demonstrate compliance with best-practice standards, participate in an onsite review, and show a commitment to continuous improvement, ensuring a high level of professionalism and service delivery.
The Wheeling Park District has consistently pursued this accreditation as part of its commitment to transparency, accountability, and quality public service. Approved for Distinguished Accredited status in November 2025, the District will undergo
Members of the Wheeling Park District are recognized during the IAPD/IPRA Distinguished Agency Plaque Presentation.
Pictured, top row (left to right): Peter Murphy, Suzi Wirtz, Eric Nelessen, Matt Chludzinski, Kelsi Stephenson, Dan Gutierrez, Lori Lovell, Katie Klemke, Jim Waterson, Matt Wehby, Yenny Lagunas, Edd Punzalan, Katie Knox, Emily Matgous, Josh Handelsman, Nicole Mueller, Kim Langner, Ted Schulz, Erika Strojinc. Bottom Row (left to right): Juan Acevedo, Kelly Melius, Annie Gonzalez, Isaac Brubaker, Cheri Klumpp, Mike Burns, Sue Stein, Jan Buchs, Claudia Fonseca, Lisa Garrow, Brian Lichtenberger, Joe Hansel.
Renovation & Improvements
Chamber Park
In 2025, Chamber Park underwent significant improvements to enhance accessibility, functionality, and the overall visitor experience. Upgrades included relocated and new interpretive signage, replacement of deteriorated parking areas, entrance drives, and pathways to meet ADA requirements, and the addition of new asphalt and concrete paths to improve circulation and seating areas. The park’s lighting was modernized with LED fixtures that complement the site’s character, and a new concrete plaza and shelter were constructed on axis with the historic Chamber Church. Playground equipment was fully replaced with new play features and safety surfacing, while site restoration and new landscaping further enhanced the park’s amenities and appearance.
HPSC Turf Fields
In 2025, the Heritage Park Sports Complex Turf Fields Project advanced with the replacement of artificial turf across all four athletic fields, significantly enhancing field performance, durability, and year-round usability. The new state-of-the-art turf systems were designed to support multiple sports and withstand heavy use while providing improved traction and athlete safety. Environmental benefits include reduced water consumption and maintenance needs, and the upgraded fields feature vibrant, professional-grade aesthetics that elevate the overall experience for athletes, spectators, and the surrounding community.
ADA Transition Plan
The Wheeling Park District completed a comprehensive Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) access audit and transition plan to evaluate accessibility across District parks, facilities, programs, and amenities. The District partnered with The W-T Group, LLC Accessibility Practice, a nationally recognized leader in ADA compliance and inclusive design, to support both the audit and related community outreach.
As part of this effort, the District conducted a District-wide accessibility survey inviting residents to share their experiences, priorities, and accessibility needs. This input provided valuable insight into community priorities and lived experiences, helping ensure that future accessibility efforts reflect what matters most to those who use District facilities.
The resulting ADA Transition Plan outlines prioritized, phased recommendations and was formally presented to the Board of Commissioners in 2025. The District will use this plan as a guiding framework to prioritize improvements, inform capital planning, and advance accessibility enhancements over time. By combining professional assessment with direct community input, the District reaffirmed its commitment in 2025 to creating a more inclusive, welcoming, and ADA-responsive park system for residents and visitors of all abilities.
Greenhouse Project Fall Fishing Fest
In 2025, the Wheeling Park District and the Northwest Special Recreation Association (NWSRA) celebrated the completion of a new Accessible Greenhouse adjacent to the NWSRA Programming Space at the Community Center. Designed for individuals of all abilities, the greenhouse offers inclusive, hands-on learning through gardening, hydroponics, and sustainability programs supported by community volunteers. Funded by the Special Leisure Services Foundation, the project reflects a shared commitment to accessibility, environmental stewardship, and community connection. The greenhouse officially opened during an Earth Day celebration on April 27 and will serve as a vibrant space for learning, growth, and
The Wheeling Park District partnered with the Northbrook Park District and State Senator Julie Morrison, in cooperation with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, to launch Fall Fishing Fest, a new free family fishing derby. Held at Lake Shermerville at Woods Oaks Green Park, the event invited families to learn fishing skills, play lawn games, and explore conservation education in an accessible outdoor setting. Fall Fishing Fest highlighted the power of collaboration to create memorable community recreational experiences while encouraging environmental awareness and outdoor engagement for all ages.
Aquatic Center Project
After more than 30 years of service, the Wheeling Park District’s Family Aquatic Center has reached the end of its useful life. The District is advancing a modern, inclusive aquatic facility plan that improves operational efficiency and sustains its role as a regional destination.
In 2025, the Wheeling Park District made significant progress toward replacing the aging Family Aquatic Center with a modern, inclusive, and operationally efficient facility designed to serve the community for decades to come.
Project Advancement & Design Progress
Following the acceptance of the Aquatic Center feasibility report in late 2024, the District advanced the project from concept exploration into active planning and design. A Request for Proposal (RFP) for architectural and engineering services was issued in February 2025, resulting in six qualified submissions. After a competitive selection process, the Board of Commissioners authorized a contract with Confluence to lead the design effort.
Throughout 2025, the District and Confluence collaborated closely to verify the aquatic program, conduct conceptual design workshops, and refine a site layout that organizes aquatic amenities, support spaces, and circulation with a strong focus on guest experience, accessibility, and operational efficiency.
Conceptual Design & Board Authorization
In July 2025, Confluence presented the aquatic center program and conceptual design package to the Board of Commissioners. The concept illustrated a future aquatic destination featuring multiple pools, inclusive play elements, a slide complex, expanded guest amenities, and improved mechanical infrastructure. At that meeting, the Board authorized Confluence to proceed with schematic design, including site engineering modeling, an estimate of probable construction costs, and permitting coordination.
Financial & Strategic Planning
Recognizing the scale and complexity of the project, the Board of Commissioners held a dedicated workshop in October 2025 to review potential funding strategies and long-term financial considerations. This discussion marked a key step toward aligning project goals with fiscal responsibility and implementation planning.
Regulatory & Pre-Construction Milestones
By late 2025, the project entered critical pre-construction and regulatory phases. The Illinois Department of Public Health confirmed receipt of the aquatic center application in November, initiating formal review. In December, the Board approved a pre-construction agreement with Camosy Construction to provide construction management services, ensuring early cost control, constructability input, and coordination. The District also issued a bid notice for demolition of the existing aquatic center, beginning site preparation efforts.
Looking Ahead
By the end of 2025, the Wheeling Park District had successfully transitioned the Aquatic Center project from planning into implementation. With design advancing, regulatory reviews underway, and pre-construction activities initiated, the District enters 2026 well positioned to move toward construction of a new, modern aquatic facility that will continue to serve residents and visitors as a regional destination.
Aquatic Amnenities
Plans include a recreation pool with varied depths, a resort-style leisure pool, a zero-depth entry play structure, a splash pad, and a slide complex featuring body slides, drop slides, and a vertical drop slide to serve a wide range of ages, abilities, and recreational preferences.
Design Elements
Zero-depth entry features, interactive play areas, and non-swimming attractions will support accessibility and family-friendly use.
Guest Amnenities
Food and beverage services, shaded seating, cabanas, party shelters, landscaped terraces, and an overlook terrace with integrated water features to enhance comfort and overall enjoyment.
Building Connections and Making an Impact
In 2025, the Wheeling Park District focused on creating opportunities for families and friends to connect, with new playgrounds, free events, and investments that brought the community closer together.
$155,749 Invested Towards 21 Free Community Events
The Wheeling Park District allocated $155,749 to fund 30 free community events, supporting activities such as festivals, outdoor movie nights, and concerts.
1.2 Million Visitors to Heritage Park
In 2025, the Wheeling Park District welcomed approximately 1.2 million visitors to the Heritage Park campus, including the Sports Complex, Performance Pavilion, Family Aquatic Center, and Community Recreation Center.
$23,214 in Financial Assistance
The District allocated $23,214 in financial assistance to help ensure residents of all ages could participate in programs, events, and recreational opportunities, reducing financial barriers and expanding access throughout the community.
2025-2028 Strategic Plan
In 2025, Wheeling Park District completed a comprehensive Strategic Plan to guide the organization through 2025–2028. The plan establishes clear priorities designed to strengthen long-term financial stability, support effective and sustainable staffing levels, enhance internal communication, foster a positive organizational culture, and guide the thoughtful allocation of resources to meet future needs.
Developed through a collaborative and inclusive process involving Park District staff, the Leadership Team, and the Board of Commissioners, the Strategic Plan reflects a shared commitment to organizational excellence. Community input played a vital role in shaping the plan and was gathered through a resident survey conducted by aQity Research & Insights, Inc. Together, these perspectives helped identify key opportunities and challenges, ensuring the plan is both responsive and forward-looking. The Strategic Plan provides a unified vision that will guide continued learning, growth, and innovation as Wheeling Park District strives to deliver exceptional parks, facilities, programs, and services to the community.
The full Strategic Plan is available on the District website at www.wheelingparkdistrict.com/planning/
