Elmhurst Seniors Deserve Services, Too: Resident

ELMHURST, IL – An Elmhurst senior citizen on Monday asked for a place for people her age to meet and play games.

"The last couple of years, I've been looking for space to meet people and enjoy like things," resident Paula Wolf said at Monday's City Council meeting. "There isn't a senior citizen center."

The local park district runs the Mary Kies Recreation Center, which is promoted as a place for a variety of adult and senior programs and events.

According to the district's website, the center offers regular drop-in activities, fitness classes, art programs, social events, luncheons, trips and educational activities. It features a membership option for those 62 and older.

In her comments, Wolf did not regard Mary Kies as a senior center.

"I found out it's a recreation center open to all ages. It's very disappointing," she said. "It's like we're not seen or heard. It's like we're in the minority in this town. We're not the rich ones. We are not the ones who want to use the park district for our children. But I think we deserve a little more than we get."

According to the U.S. Census, 18 percent of Elmhurst's population is 65 or older, the same as the state's rate.

The Elmhurst City Council did not respond to Wolf's remarks, following its policy.

Last September, Wolf was among those speaking out against proposed tax hikes to pay for a new police station. She said the city was catering to younger residents at the expense of her generation.

"You seem to feel we have bottomless purses," Wolf told the City Council's finance committee.