Policies
Click on any of the topics below to view additional information or policy details.
Advertising & Sponsorship Policy
The Wheaton Park District Sponsorship Program offers the opportunity for organizations, businesses, and individuals to affiliate with the Wheaton Park District (“District”) for the purpose of complementing or enhancing their marketing and promotional efforts. Through participation, sponsors contribute to a public service and save taxpayer dollars, reaching the target audience they seek and supporting a good cause.
A wide range of sponsorship opportunities are available at the park district: special events, athletic fields, museum or zoo exhibits, or educational programs. All sponsorship recognition is for the life of the item sponsored. For example, the sponsorship recognition of a special event is for the duration of that specific event. In the case of an athletic field, the sponsorship would be for a one-year season/term.
Some sponsorships are tax-deductible. Sponsorships that are part of one of a 501C3 Foundations, i.e., Cosley Zoo Foundation, DuPage County Historical Museum Foundation, or Play for All Foundation.
Canada Geese Management
The Wheaton Park District has a management program in place that complies with all federal regulations for protection of Canada Geese which are protected by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918. The park district, like homeowners and other governmental agencies can only follow recommended programs set by the federal agencies. The following practices for reducing the goose population have been implemented and are followed regularly.
In the past, the park district has taken many different avenues to reduce geese populations. We have used trained dogs with little or no success and sprays for the grass. Our greatest success has been with the practice stated above, which is rendering the eggs non-productive. In the spring of 2007, we disposed of 32 nests and successfully rendered 202 eggs. Many of our parks have this nuisance fowl causing problems. Northside, Graf, Rathje, Seven Gables, and Armbrust are just a handful of parks where the geese are significant.
The Wheaton Park District is always actively seeking new alternatives to minimize this nuisance pest.
For more information, please read Canada Geese and Your Lake (PDF, 204Kb), produced by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.
Environmental Policy
Our mission is to establish and maintain sound environmental policies, practices and educational opportunities for the employees and patrons of the Wheaton Park District.
For complete details, please view Environmental Policy of Wheaton Park District (PDF)
Finance Policy
The Wheaton Park District values providing transparency to the public in relation to its financial policies.
Outdoor Athletic Area Fee Schedule & Usage Policy
Policy statement regarding the use of outdoor athletic areas:
Outdoor Athletic Areas Fee Schedule and Usage Policy Document (PDF)
Park Board Policy & Practices
This General Practices Manual of the Wheaton Park District Board of Park Commissioners represents an insight into the intent of the members. They are a manifestation of a desire to establish a means of measuring acceptable behavior and protocol that ensures honest and accountable representation. While not processing the force of the law, the intent of this manual is to provide a guideline for board conduct.
Park Conduct Ordinance
General use ordinance pertaining to conduct in public parks:
Purchase of Residency Benefits by Nonresidents
Property owners or renters who reside in unincorporated territory or outside of the corporate boundaries of the park district, but within corporate boundaries of school district 200 or 89 may obtain Wheaton Park District resident status by paying a fee.
Purchase of Residency Benefits by Nonresidents Policy (PDF)
Purchase of Residency Benefits Application & Checklist (PDF)
Residency Status
Determine residency status:
A resident is anyone who resides in and/or who pays taxes to the Wheaton Park District. Anyone who does not pay taxes to the Wheaton Park District is a non-resident.
Satisfaction Guarantee & Refund Policy
We constantly strive to provide you with high-quality recreation activities, events and programs. We are so confident you will be pleased with our efforts that we insure our promise – we guarantee your satisfaction with our services. If you are not completely satisfied, please tell us, and we will arrange one of the following:
| Program/Circumstance | Deadline/Refund Requirement |
|---|---|
| One-day/two-day programs | Three business days prior to when the program meets |
| Programs that meet more than 2 days | Prior to the start of the second class |
| Wide Horizons Preschool | $50 enrollment fee is nonrefundable; remaining balance if requested by August 1 |
| Youth athletic leagues | Prior to the second game of league play or competition |
| Football/Lacrosse league | 1 week after player evaluation day |
| Rams Cheerleading league | On or before April 15 |
| Swim team | Prior to the second meet |
| Summer camps, aquatics programs | Wednesday before the first day of camp or aquatic lessons |
| Medical reasons/moving out of town | Upon proof, a prorated refund will be provided |
Our guarantee is based on fulfilling our promise to you. If you are not satisfied, we would appreciate your comments, ideas or suggestions for improvement. You may apply for a refund at the Community Center, 1777 S. Blanchard St., at the Administration Office, 102 E. Wesley St. or by calling 630.690.4880. Your receipt or canceled check, or proof of identification, may be required. Refund checks will be mailed within a reasonable period of time. Certain programs, services and facilities are currently excluded from the Satisfaction Guaranteed Policy: golf course green fees; Pro Shop purchases; adult athletic leagues; Wheaton travel soccer programs; food or meals; banquet or catering services; daily facility admissions; pool passes; Parks Plus Fitness Center memberships; Wide Horizons program; tickets to entertainment; special events and trips; program supplies or materials purchased; garden plots; gift cards; and contractual programs or obligations.
Credit Card Refund Protocol
Credit card refunds requested 45 days or more from original transaction/receipt date are refunded by household credit or check mailed to the address on file.
Security Camera and Video Surveillance Use Policy
Policy pertaining to security cameras and video surveillance use at Wheaton Park District facilities.
Service Animals
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Wheaton Park District allows service animals to access most public areas within its property. The district may impose restrictions on service animals as it deems necessary for safety reasons.
Definition
A service animal, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, refers to any dog or miniature horse that is individually trained to work or perform tasks for a person with a disability. Service animals are working animals, not pets. The work or task performed must be directly related to the person’s disability.
Service animals whose sole function is to provide emotional support do not qualify as service animals under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Service animals must be harnessed, leashed, or tethered unless the device interferes with the animal’s work or the individual’s disability prevents using these devices. The patron must remain in control of the animal at all times.
Additionally, service animals must possess and maintain current immunizations common to that specific class of animal. The service animal must wear or display all tags required by law or local ordinance, such as identification or rabies tags.
For more information about the Wheaton Park District and the ADA, see Accommodations for Persons with Disabilities.
Questions?
Please contact Michael J. Benard, Wheaton Park District Executive Director and ADA Compliance Officer at [email protected].
Use & Distribution of Images
Photo Disclaimer:
The Wheaton Park District, its partners, approved volunteers and vendors may take photographs or videos of participants for promoting our programs, services, events, activities, and facilities in our brochures, website or agency social media, etc. By participating in or attending any Wheaton Park District activities the participant (or parent/guardian of a minor participant) agrees to the use and distribution of his or her image (or images of a minor child/ward) in photographs, video recordings, and any other electronic reproductions of such activities for any purpose without inspection, compensation, or any other consideration now and in the future.
For information on photo permits, visit our Park Rentals page.
Social Media Policy
The use of social media allows the Wheaton Park District (the “District”) to expand communication efforts with the community by engaging in conversations that provide and share information in real-time related to topics posted by the District on its Social Media sites. It is the intent of this policy that social media platforms used by the District are “limited public forums” as defined by First Amendment case law. The purpose of this policy is to define and outline acceptable use of social media sites and resources in local municipal government.
Social Media Policy (PDF)