Naperville's Central Park plans take shape

Naperville's Central Park may eventually get permanent restrooms and seating.

The park board approved the scope of a master plan for the park Thursday, which included these priorities from city and park staff.

The park, 103 E. Benton Ave., is owned by the city but leased by the park district and hosts Naperville Municipal Band concerts.

The park district has already spent $463,119 since 2002 to enhance the park including walkway improvements, increased handicapped accessibility, playground renovations and landscaping.

It has set aside $10,000 to be combined with up to $20,000 from the city, to hire consultants to help create a master plan for additional work in the coming years.

In addition to permanent restrooms and seating, city and park district staffs are recommending the plan include improved signage, landscaping and lighting, as well as monument restoration, increased handicapped accessibility and development of an overall theme for the park.

The final plan recommendation could be ready by the end of the year.

"This is going to be a process where there's going to be a lot of ideas, a lot of feedback," said Eric Shutes, director of planning for the park district. "What this will help do is narrow it down and also talk about what's going to be done and when it's going to be done and how much it's going to cost."

Resident Don Wehrli, a former city councilman, suggested some additional changes to the plan and said he has the backing of 84 residents who would like the park to be 20 feet wider on the east and west sides and 5 feet wider to the south.

"The park was not given to us for parking of cars. ... It's designed for the people of Naperville," he said.

However, Wehrli said the additions could be made without losing existing parking spaces, though some park commissioners questioned whether that is possible.

Wehrli also suggested placing the bathrooms in the southwest corner of the park where they were years ago and said the old plumbing is still there.

"What a wonderful plan putting in a men's and ladies room," Commissioner Charlie Brown said. "I think that's long overdue."

The lack of permanent restrooms has been an issue since the Community Concert Center was dedicated in 2002.

Last year, the city council approved portable restrooms due to the cost, maintenance and security concerns of permanent facilities.

Wehrli and other residents will have additional chances for feedback at workshops this summer.

The city council is scheduled to discuss the Central Park master plan next week.

Thursday's meeting was the first for new Executive Director Daniel Betts who took the helm March 24. He said he has spent his first few weeks getting to know people in the park district and the community.

"We've been busy just kind of hitting the ground running and, again, I'm very happy to be here and look forward to working with this board and with my staff and continuing the great work Naperville expects out of its parks and rec programs," he said.

The park district tabled proposed agreements with the city concerning the Riverwalk and Millennium Carillon Thursday to take more time to study them. Betts said these agreements will be among his priorities.