New Jefferson needed, but not in Graf Park

I'm concerned about Wheaton Warrenville Unit District 200's plan to swap land with the Wheaton Park District to build a new Jefferson early learning center adjacent to Monroe Middle School, on land currently known as Graf Park.

As a neighbor to the school and park, I just recently learned of the plan and upon doing research learned that District 200 had weeded out other alternatives and has focused in on this one plan. From what I can tell, there has been very little public input in this decision-making process. I live one block from the current location of Jefferson School and a few blocks from Graf Park but never received a letter/ notification to attend any public meetings.

I absolutely support a wonderful preschool facility for children of all abilities in Wheaton, but I don't understand why the school district could not pursue other viable plans - including rebuilding/renovating at the current Jefferson school site, or building onto an elementary school in the Wheaton area, which would appear to be a better fit in terms of facilities and play areas than building onto a middle school.

I and many of my neighbors, near and far, cherish Graf Park as the green space resource of our entire area of Wheaton - for recreation, for sports, for large park district events, and for healthy outdoor activities including access to other Wheaton assets-like watching trains, and crossing over the pedestrian bridge to Lincoln Marsh and the Prairie Path. We would be very sad to lose our green space.

Before a decision is made regarding where to build a new Jefferson, there needs to be more public dialogue on this issue. I support a quality Jefferson preschool for our children but I would like to see it placed elsewhere, not in Graf Park.

Laura Hollinger Antonelli

Wheaton