Most Against Proposed Wilder Bandshell Site: Surveys

ELMHURST, IL – Two recent surveys indicate that Elmhurst residents dislike the local park board majority's choice of a site for a proposed bandshell at Wilder Park.

In late May, four of the seven board members said they wanted the bandshell in the lawn east of the iconic Wilder Mansion. They said the site was included in materials before last November's referendum, contending that's what voters wanted.

But the three other members said the board should seek more feedback on the location. They said no feedback was sought before the referendum.

Residents opposed to the mansion site say it should remain open space. A bandshell, they say, would interrupt sight lines.

Last month, a group of residents who said they want more public input on the site put out a survey. The park district included the survey results in its agenda packet for Monday's park board meeting.

According to the survey, 8 percent of the 390 respondents supported the lawn east of the mansion for the bandshell. Meanwhile, 41 percent preferred the old ice rink site, followed by 28 percent for the old Lizzadro Museum site and 21 percent for north of the playground.

The park district issued a survey of its own, but it asked no specific question about the location. But plenty of residents noted their site preferences in their comments. The mansion site gathered little support.

At Monday's meeting, Jim Schuetz, one of the organizers of the residents' survey, said 179 comments in the district's version addressed location.

By Schuetz's analysis, 22 percent of responses supported the lawn east of the mansion, while 58 percent objected to it. Small percentages gave support to each of the three other sites.

"Since the park district's approach did not provide any information on potential bandshell sites, it's not surprising that most comments focused on the 'lawn each of the mansion' site highlighted in the park board's materials – either supporting the location or rejecting it," Schuetz told the board.

For Monday's meeting, the board planned to tour the four possible bandshell sites, where tents were set up. Because of a thunderstorm, though, they held a "talking tour" instead.

The district's consultants spoke about the pros and cons of each site. For instance, the ice rink site contains a small wetland, which the experts said could be easily addressed.

They also addressed parking, accessibility and utility issues for each site.

During public comments, Michael Pavlik, York High School's director of bands, said "functionality" should be the most important consideration for the bandshell site. For him, that means sounds. And musicians do not want noise that disrupts dramatic pauses, he said.

He noted the site east of the mansion is where bands played from a trailer for years.

"We've needed a place in Elmhurst for the arts to be showcased," Pavlik said.

Monday's discussion about the bandshell's location was not as tense as previous ones, although the board remains divided.

They still differed over whether the board needed a second survey with a specific question on the bandshell site. Meanwhile, they appeared to agree that the board ultimately needed a formal vote on the location, not the informal one that was taken in May.

"Let's take the time to do it right," member Vince Spaeth said.

"Hear, hear," a man in the audience said.

The board plans to resume the debate next Monday.