CHESTER – The Chester Parks and Recreation Committee will meet Tuesday, March 10 at 6 p.m. in the Municipal Building at 1330 Swanwick Street in Chester.
The meeting is open to the public.
The tentative agenda:
Parks And Recreation Committee Meeting
Agenda
1330 Swanwick Street, Chester, Illinois 62233
Tuesday, March 10, 2026, 6 P.M.
- Call To Order
- Roll Call
- Pledge Of Allegiance
- Reading And Approval Of Minutes Of Previous Meeting
- Correspondence
- Non-Agenda Public Comment: This Portion Of The Agenda Provides An Opportunity For Members Of The Public To Address The Board On Items Of Interest Within The Jurisdiction Of The Board. (Comments Relating To Items On Today’s Agenda Are To Be Taken At The Time The Item Is Heard.) Comments Will Be Limited To (3) Three Minutes And Is Not Debatable.
- Alderman Report- Nick Bert
- Recreation Report- Patti Carter
- Cohen Complex Superintendent Report-Bill Belton
- Cole Memorial Park Superintendent Report-Jay Allison
- Committee Reports
- Old Business
- New Business
- A) Spring Fling-Action Plan
- Volunteer Assignments
Ii. Egg Assembly
- Unfinished Business
- A) Discuss Vacancies Recommendations
- Any Other Business
- Adjournment Next Meeting April 14, 2026
Minutes of Previous Meeting
CHESTER – The Chester Park & Recreation Committee met in regular session Tuesday, February 10, 2026 in the city hall council chamber.
Attendance:
President/ Recreation Director: Patti Carter
Vice President: Greg Davitz
Alderman: Nick Bert
Secretary: Joseph Allison
Superintendents: Jay Allison
Members: Josh Chambers, Wendell Quintana, Cindy Welton, Rebekah Hillerman
Honorary Members: Collette Powley
A Quorum was established.
The meeting was called to order at 6:03pm by President Patti Carter.
Motion #1: (Greg/Wendell) Motion to accept the minutes from the meeting on
January 13, 2026. 8 in favor/0 opposed/0 abstention. Motion Carries
President Report
Spring Fling is entering the planning stage.
Discussed Little Tikes playground design options that will be located at Cole Memorial Park. Discussed whether to purchase pour and play, pebbles or rubber mulch for the planned playground.
Superintendent Report
No report at this time.
Alderman Report
Discussed driving range progress. Addressed when the flying club will be vacating the breezy hill property. Alderman Bert informed the committee that mayor Eggemeyer has not given an exact date of eviction. Committee acknowledged that the city is still providing a free space to a private club at the expense of the city taxpayers. Alderman Bert could not confirm if the flying club has been served with a letter requesting them to vacate the property. Alderman Bert discussed a party for the city committee members that the city council should be planning in the near future.
Vice President Report
Vice President Davitz discussed the planned building that will be located at Cohen Complex and explained what it will potentially be utilized for. Revisited the playground options from Little Tikes. Jay Allison asked if the city would request prices on all playground options. Greg Davitz mentioned that the driving range is the best option, financially, for the park board to pursue at this time and playground discussion should be tabled.
Secretary’s Report
No report at this time.
Old Business
No Old Business
New Business
Superintendent Jay Allison requested that the city build a new pavilion at Cole Park fairgrounds before the next fall festival; as well as purchasing new toilets for the restrooms, which were destroyed last year. Alderman Bert suggested we add cameras at Cole Park to discourage vandalism in the future.
Patti Carter brought up the Spring Fling again and inquired whether anyone would be unable to volunteer. Discussed the Fun Run and a partnership with the Memorial Hospital.
Wendell Quintana suggested offering new activities at the fall festival that focus on family involvement, rather than having events pertaining to individual participants.
Greg Davitz requested that the committee improve their communication with each other to create a better operation when events are held.
Alderman Bert requested that the park & recreation committee have more involvement in event planning moving forward. Acknowledged that prior board members have complained about not feeling they’re included in the decision making. Patti Carter mentioned that it is difficult to include everyone in the decision-making process when the committee only meets once a month, but agreed that she will attempt to bring more to the committee before making final decisions.
Committee agreed to cancel the women’s beard competition.
Announcements
Patti Carter discussed a “Cruise-In” every third Saturday of the month. Event would include “touch-a-truck”, etc. Event would begin April 18th.
Original sponsor backed out, but the park committee could hold the event themselves and would be the sole sponsor of the event and keep the revenue.
Vice President Davitz suggested combining the car show/ car cruise into another event the city already hosts or having it as a standalone event that is located on Swanwick Street between Buena Vista and City Hall.
Josh Chambers exited the meeting.
Motion #2: (Greg/Rebekah) Motion to approve the Chester Cruise-In car show
7 in favor/0 opposed/0 abstention. Motion Carries
Adjournment
Motion #3: (Greg/Jay) Motion to adjourn the meeting.
7 in favor/0 opposed/0 abstention. Motion Carries
Meeting adjourned at 7:37pm by President Patti Carter.
Respectfully submitted by:
/s/ Joseph Allison
Date: February 10, 2026