Glen Ellyn moves forward on Lake Ellyn Park fixes

Glen Ellyn Park District is one step closer to making major improvements to Lake Ellyn Park and its historic boathouse.

The board of commissioners recently gave the green light to two firms, Conservation Design Forum and Farr Associates, to pursue plans to spruce up the park and restore the boathouse, Executive Director Dave Harris said.

The project is expected to cost about $2.7 million and, in addition to the boathouse work, will include replacement of all trails on the west side of the park with permeable materials, development of nature trails in the woodland area, a new playground, landscape enhancements, shore stabilization of Lake Ellyn and the installation of a permeable paved sidewalk parallel with Lenox Road.

Construction is expected to begin next July and be completed by May 2016.

“For the past year, this plan has kind of sat on the sidelines and the challenging part was determining how to fund some or many of the elements that were identified in the master plan,” Harris said.

Money for the improvements will come from non-referendum funds and an operating surplus. Harris said the district also is looking into grant opportunities and already has applied for an Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development grant.

Harris said the historical park and boathouse have essentially stayed the same for decades.

“It's a beautiful piece of property, many in this community call it the jewel of the park district or of the village,” Harris said. “In order to properly maintain it for the next 50 years, we have to reinvest back into the park.”