'Community Conversation' On Parks And Recreational Spaces: A Recap

By Kevin Gosztola, Editor

On April 25, the Elmwood Park Advocate held its second “Community Conversation” of 2026. Around 20 people gathered at the Elmwood Park Public Library to discuss parks and recreational spaces in the village.

The newsletter dedicated this gathering to 20-year Elmwood Park resident Donna Clesen, who died in December. She led the Garden Club and regularly attended our conversations in 2025.

At the last conversation of the year, Donna said the village had “become more of a fortress.” She believed that the village had not paid enough attention to the importance of open spaces.

The discussion began with everyone speaking about the parks that they go to the most. One resident said they live by John Mills Elementary School and go to Triangle Park and the school.

Another resident said they live near Bambi Park. They go to Bambi, John Mills, and Triangle Park because that is where all their kids’ friends like to play. Plus, they use the Elmgrove Park splash pad, but that was “broken half of the year.”

An older couple mentioned that they spend time at Centennial Park. The gardens are there. A mom of two children, who are six and eight years old, said that they use Triangle Park, Elmgrove Park, Bambi, and Elmwood Park Elementary.

Yet another mom of two children, who are four and seven years old, said they go to Triangle Park, Bambi Park, and the Elmgrove splash pad. She wonders, however, why there is not more shade at Elmgrove. They also eat lunch at Central Park, since it has chess boards.

One resident, who uses the exercise equipment at Centennial Park, suggested that the village prioritize more benches and trees. It is “more important” for people in town houses or rental units “without yards or green spaces,” they added.

A new resident of Elmwood Park, who lives across from Fire Station #2 and is starting a family, mentioned that they were here to learn about the village. They noticed the kids playing whiffle ball in the baseball field.

A longtime resident who has lived in the village since 1963 spoke about growing up in the city of Chicago. What they came to appreciate is that “parks, sidewalks, and alleys make a neighborhood.” That’s what is special about Elmwood Park.

One of several moms in attendance shared how they appreciated the Central Park yoga and ice skating. The yoga, hosted by The Barre, was a “really good experience.”

Additionally, the same mom mentioned that her family spends time at Kiddie Korral Park on 75th Court and Dickens Avenue. She is concerned about the plans to eliminate trees and not replace them. A dad of two children also expressed similar frustration with this decision.

The grant application asked the village to describe how the project had involved local planning and coordination, such as public input. What the village identified was the “Comprehensive Plan” for the future of Elmwood Park that was developed from 2011-2013.

A mom questioned whether this qualified as community engagement for the Kiddie Korral redevelopment project. What is described in the grant application was not specifically part of the comprehensive plan. Was there really any public notice prior to creating designs?

Adding to this sentiment, another mom said that they used to live in Galewood, where there were a number of town hall meetings on the future of the site of the Mars factory that shut down. She wished that the village would hold similar meetings on parks (as well as other issues).

“Most of the people [on the boards] don’t have small children anymore,” she said. “We are more involved than our parents are [or were]. We as a community should push for more information.”

“I don’t think it’s too late,” one dad said. “Go to the [village] board meetings,” and raise concerns. They wondered why there is no commission specifically dedicated to parks and recreational spaces. “There should be one.”

The conversation veered into worries about building a third splash pad in Elmwood Park as part of the Kiddie Korral redevelopment project. One parent said that they did not like that the splash pad was right next to the playground because then you have to have a change of clothes for your children. They like how Elmgrove Park is just a splash pad because “you have to be intentional” about going to play in the water.

A mom described how the Elmgrove splash pad had a problem with “water pressure.” The streams only go knee high. So kids bring buckets and fill them with water. Public works employees were there several times in 2025, trying to figure out what to do to fix the splash pad.

“Your kids are [not] little forever,” one older resident said. There should be consideration about how the splash pad limits multi-use of parks. Or as one dad put it, the village should encourage “normal social use.” The parks really should be “mixed age spaces.”

Back in 2013, the comprehensive plan recommended that the village create a list of “potential sites” for additional parkland. I mentioned that the village apparently never compiled such a list, even though it is a good idea. Residents really do care about parks and recreational spaces.

But as one resident in attendance contended, those involved in the Plan, Zoning and Development Commission simply believe that there is less profit to be made in parks. This resident objected to the way in which homes are demolished to build parking lots for businesses along North Avenue.

Several in the room agreed that it would be a benefit to restaurants on North Avenue if there was a green space for dining outside. In the same way that the village buys a home and paves a lot for parking, it could instead develop it for those who want to dine during the warmer months in a less crowded atmosphere—particularly during peak hours.

Finally, one dad in the room mentioned that there is talk of moving village hall to Grand Avenue. He suggested that the community “get ahead of that.” If the village maintains it is too late to properly redevelop Kiddie Korral as a green space, then he believes residents should insist that they put trees or a park at the site of the village hall.

The newsletter plans to hold another “Community Conversation” in May. Details will be shared soon.