Wilmette Park District Seeks Consultant for 5-Acre Property Plan

The district is preparing an RFP to guide community engagement and preliminary planning for the former synagogue site.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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The Wilmette Park District is seeking a consultant to help develop a plan for its newest 5-acre property, the former site of Beth Hillel Bnai Emunah synagogue. Park District Executive Director Chris Lindgren says collecting public feedback, assessing community needs, and reviewing existing facilities will be key early steps in the process. The district has leased part of the property to the Wilmette Police Department for use as a temporary headquarters during construction of a new station, giving the park district up to two years to gather input and create a 'home run' plan for the site.

Why it matters

The acquisition of the 4.8-acre Beth Hillel property represents a significant opportunity for the Wilmette Park District to expand its offerings and better serve the community. By carefully planning the site's future use through extensive public engagement, the district aims to develop an amenity that will be widely embraced and utilized by local residents.

The details

The park district is preparing a request for proposals to find a consultant who can guide the initial planning process for the Big Tree Lane property. This will include collecting public feedback through meetings, surveys, and focus groups to assess community needs and interests. The district also plans to analyze its existing facilities, like the Community Rec Center and Centennial rec center, as well as research what neighboring communities offer, to help inform the best use of the new site.

  • The park district purchased the 4.8-acre Beth Hillel property for $5.4 million in March 2024.
  • In July 2025, the district formed a committee to guide discussion of the Big Tree Lane property.
  • On January 20, 2026, Park District Executive Director Chris Lindgren provided an update to the Park Board on the planning process.
  • Lindgren expects the initial public feedback and consultant hiring process to take up to 12 months.

The players

Chris Lindgren

The executive director of the Wilmette Park District, who is overseeing the planning process for the new 5-acre property.

Beth Hillel Bnai Emunah

The synagogue that previously owned the 4.8-acre property now acquired by the Wilmette Park District.

Wilmette Police Department

The agency that will use a portion of the Big Tree Lane property as its temporary headquarters during the construction of a new police station.

Ali Frazier

The vice president of the Wilmette Park Board, who expressed excitement about the project during the January 20 update.

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What they’re saying

“I think this board, this team, this staff is really lucky to be in this stage. The beginning part is a lot of work, a lot of research, in order to move forward accurately and correctly and to end up with a project that is a home run for the community and something that is going to serve as many people as we can.”

— Chris Lindgren, Park District Executive Director (therecordnorthshore.org)

“We want to make sure we bring forward a new amenity. We want to make sure the demand is going to be there, and we're not putting something that … we'll struggle to get the usage in that facility.”

— Chris Lindgren, Park District Executive Director (therecordnorthshore.org)

“For (the project) to be successful, it has to have community buy-in, community-partner buy-in.”

— Chris Lindgren, Park District Executive Director (therecordnorthshore.org)

What’s next

The park district will release a request for proposals to find a consultant who can guide the initial planning process, including community engagement and needs assessment. Lindgren expects to present three finalists to the Park Board for interviews.

The takeaway

The Wilmette Park District's careful and methodical approach to planning the future use of the former Beth Hillel synagogue property demonstrates a commitment to community input and ensuring the site becomes a valuable asset that serves the diverse needs of local residents.