The document provides information about upcoming events for the Downers Grove Park District staff in November and December. It announces the final High 5 Drawing raffle at the December staff meeting. It also lists the Turkey Shoot event on November 18th and the VHPD Holiday Party on December 7th. It provides park project updates and announces the winter brochure will be mailed the week of November 12th.
4. VHPD Staff E-News Take Note:
The December Staff
November 5, 2007 Meeting will include the
Silent Auction
Take a day to clean your
closets or rummage through
your basements for some
“stuff”. Items can be stored
at Laschen or Sullivan.
The final High 5 Drawing will
be at the December Staff
Meeting. Take a moment to
recognize a co-worker.
Special Events
Bring your raffle dollars to
Fall Fest was attended by nearly 800 people! Thank you Kelly S.
win a 1/2 day off on Christ-
for all your hard work and to all of the VHPD staff who volunteered
mas Eve or New Years Eve.
their time to make this event so successful!
Special Guests will be the
Upcoming Events
Preschool staff.
Turkey Shoot November 18
Board Meeting November 29
VHPD Holiday Party December 7 Happy VHPD
Anniversaries
Park News! November
l The Digitial Marquee Policy and request form are available on the Deira Covert - 18 years
company file.
l Two new pieces of play equipment are being installed this month Happy November
near the Skate Park for the older kids.
Birthdays
l Torrey Pines Park and Lake Charles
Kelly Barclay - 11/4
Park were formally dedicated on
Jerry Hughes - 11/8
October 25. Senator Link was our
Marla Pineiro - 11/29
Guest of Honor.
l Land north & south of the FAC has
Special Happy Birthday to
been cleared for future development.
FRANK
l Basketball courts at Century Park,
on his 21 years!
Hawthorn Mellody & Hawthorn Club
Parks have been re-coated.
l The boat dock shelter at Century
Park is being renovated.
l The new Lift Station in Deerpath
Park is nearly complete.
Mark Your Calendar
Winter brochure will be mailed the
week of November 12.
5. DOWNERS GROVE PARK DISTRICT
NATURAL AREAS
Lyman Woods Words Winter 2007-2008
Keep the Holidays Green!
The holidays are a wonderful time for gift-giving, but unfortunately all of those gifts produce a lot of trash.
Follow these tips to minimize your holiday waste:
♦ Give consumables: Everyone appreciates food, and who wouldn’t love to get tickets for
a sporting event or the theater? No gift to wrap means no waste!
♦ Give homemade gifts: Not only do homemade gifts generate little waste, they are more
heartfelt than store bought gifts.
♦ Give a service: Gift certificates for the spa or a cleaning service will brighten a dreary
winter day with no wrapping paper wasted.
♦ Give an experience: Give someone a chance to learn something new: golf lessons, a
dance class, wine tasting– try a gift certificate for Downers Grove Park District programs!
♦ Give a plant: Give someone a truly green gift! A tropical house plant will provide that bit of green we all miss
in the winter. (continued on reverse)
Naturalist Notes by Marge Trocki, Interpretive Naturalist
Where have all the insects gone?
As winter settles in, stillness sweeps across the land. Where have all the insects gone that were
causing such a ruckus a short time ago? Some, like the monarch butterfly, instinctively head
south for the winter season to escape the freezing temperatures. Those that stick around display a
variety of adaptations. Insects, unlike mammals, are cold-blooded so their body temperatures rise
and fall with that of their surroundings. During the cold winter, many insects almost completely
shut down. This stretch of time for insects, similar to hibernation in mammals, is called diapause.
Wooly Bear Some insects also replace much of their water with glycerol, which acts just like antifreeze.
A unique feature of diapause is that insects may overwinter in any stage in their life cycle. A small number of insects will lay
eggs that can survive the winter. The praying mantis, so easily camouflaged as an adult, lays an egg mass in the fall on a small
branch or twig that is even more difficult to spot. This mass, about an inch or so in diameter, hardens from a frothy liquid into
a hard protective case housing hundreds of mantis eggs that will hatch in the spring. One critter that overwinters as larvae is the
familiar wooly bear caterpillar. It will find a sheltered spot, usually under a thick layer of leaves, logs or bark. There it will re-
main a caterpillar until spring when it will spin a cocoon. Later it will emerge as an Isabella Tiger Moth. Many insects over-
winter in the pupal stage. The Cercropia moth will spin a tough, brown winter home on the branches or stems of plants. An-
other inconspicuous cocoon is that of the Polyphemus moth. It wraps itself in leaves to form a cocoon that hangs from a twig
throughout the winter. Searching for moth cocoons in the winter can be a challenge, but rewarding. Other abodes of winter in-
sects are galls. They come in many shapes and sizes on leaves and twigs of plants. Galls are basically deformities that form in
the plant as inhabitants use them for food and shelter.
These are just a small sampling of the many winter hideaways of the insect world. Remember on your winter stroll to keep a
watchful eye on the stillness of winter. You just may discover some of these sleeping beauties with hopes of catching a
glimpse of their emergence in the spring!
6. (Green gift-giving, continued from front) Attention
♦ Consider packaging: Buy gifts with minimal and recyclable packaging. Photographers!
Start snapping! Entries for
♦ Get creative: Ask your kids to make collages from magazine pictures to use as
this year’s Natural Areas
wrapping paper, or use the tried and true comics page. Giving gifts in canvas
Photo Contest will be due on
shopping bags will encourage the recipient to minimize waste all year long!
or before January 11.
♦ Be thoughtful: no one wants a piece of plastic junk that won’t work in a month. Selected photos will be
Make sure your gift will be used and will still be working when spring comes. displayed at Lyman Woods
Remember the holidays are not about the number of presents we give or receive. Interpretive Center. Entry
Give back by giving less and being mindful of green gift-giving! rules, which have changed
from last year, are available
Winter Programs 2007-2008 Tree Tots 2 years & adult at the Interpretive Center and
online at www.dgparks.org.
Join us for the sights and sounds of
Take part in our exciting Natural Areas winter! Explore a weekly nature theme
programs during the wonderful winter with stories and short walks through
season! Daytime Astronomy 9-12 years
Lyman Woods. $6/pair Discover the secrets of the sky-
Howl at the Moon Night Hike (6 & up) Tuesday 2/19 10-11 am during the day! We’ll explore the
Explore Lyman Woods at night! Test mysteries of space to learn about
your senses after dark searching for the Plant a Seed 3-4 years & adult our solar system and beyond!
great-horned owls and screech owls that Enjoy these nature explorations $8/person
live at Lyman Woods. The evening could through Lyman Woods. Songs, games, Wednesday 2/13 4-5:30 pm
end with a campfire complete with hikes, and crafts are all part of the
marshmallows! $14/family learning adventure. $8/pair
Saturday 1/19 7-8:30 pm Wednesday 2/20 10-11:15 am Oh Deer! 8-10 years
Saturday 2/16 7-8:30 pm Discover what makes a white-
Nature Neighbors 4-6 years tailed deer such an amazing
Goodnight Twilight Hikes What animals and plants share your mammal as we prowl the trails
Explore Lyman Woods as the sun goes neighborhood? Discover a new nature for deer! $8/person
down on this guided hike specially de- neighbor at Lyman Woods each week Wednesday 2/27 4-5:30 pm
signed for families with children ages 5 in this fun 7-week afterschool
and under. $14/family program! $70/child
Saturday 1/12 6:30-8 pm Thursdays, 2/7-3/20 12:30-2:15 pm Pre-registration is required for
Saturday 2/9 6:30-8 pm all Natural Areas programs.
Big Bug Little Bug 18 mo-5 years & adult
Winter Camp Register in person at the
Sibling class! Big bugs come on out
Don’t spend your winter break inside! Lincoln Center or the Rec
with your little bug for a winter hike,
Head to Lyman Woods to discover win- stories, games, and crafts. Center, or register online at
ter weather, winter tracks and more! www.dgparks.org.
$10/sibling pair
$25/child Questions about the Natural
Thursday 1/15 10-11 am
Camp meets Tuesday and Wednesday. Areas programs? Please call
the Lyman Woods Interpretive
Ages 4-6: 1/2-1/3 1-4 pm Center at (630) 963-9388.
Ages 7-9: 1/2-1/3 9 am-12 pm
Visit The Lyman Woods Interpretive Center Belmont Prairie Please send questions or
901 31st Street, Downers Grove Cross and Haddow, Downers Grove comments about the
Natural (630) 963-9388 (630) 963-1304 e-newsletter to:
Areas
Visit us on the web at www.dgparks.org! sforsythe@dgparks.org
7. Volume 3 Issue 3
March 2, 2007
In Service to
Our Community
The Park District of
Oak Park annually
presents Community
Service Awards to
individuals and
organizations in
recognition of
outstanding
contributions for the
advancement of
parks, recreation
and leisure in the
community. This
year’s recipients included Oak Park Architect Jack Barclay, Oak Park Conservatory
Volunteer Edith Kause, Village Clerk Sandra Sokol, the Wednesday Journal
newspaper and the Village of Oak Park who were presented with their awards at the
Regular Park Board Meeting held on Thursday, February 15. Congratulations and
many thanks to these valued community partners for their dedicated service and
support of the Park District of Oak Park.
Pictured left to right: Commissioner Christine Graves; Commissioner Marty Bracco;
Dan Haley, Publisher and Editor of Wednesday Journal; Park Board President David Kindler;
Conservatory Volunteer Edith Kause; Commissioner Mark Gartland; Architect Jack Barclay; and
Assistant Village Manager Ray Wiggins representing the Village of Oak Park. Not pictured is
Village Clerk Sandra Sokol.
8. On Monday,
February 26 the
Park District of
Oak Park
recognized retiring
members of the
Park District
Citizen Committee.
It is the
responsibility of
this committee to
oversee the
implementation of
the Oak Park Parks
and Recreation
Comprehensive
Plan and Capital
Improvement Plan and provide a valuable communication channel between the Park
District and the citizens of Oak Park. The Park District would like to extend our
gratitude to Deborah L. Borman, Jessica Bullock, Susan Kurtenbach, Gail R. Moran,
John Mullins, Mina Riddle and Rickey Sain, Sr. for volunteering their time and
expertise to help shape the future of Oak Park Parks.
Pictured left to right: John Mullins; Jessica Bullock; Commissioner Marty Bracco; Gail
Moran; Park Board President David Kindler; Debbie Borman; Executive Director Gary
Balling; Susan Kurtenbach; and Commissioner Christine Graves. Not pictured are
Rickey Sain, Sr. and Mina Riddle.
Would you like to help?
The Park District is completing the installation of new online registration software.
We are looking for residents who would like to volunteer to Beta Test this new
procedure by using it to register for summer programs when the summer brochure is
delivered in early May. You may register yourself or family members for any
programs listed in the brochure except those programs requiring in-person
registration. We would like for some registrations to be completed after the program
lottery has taken place. This would allow you to receive an immediate response that
your program registration has been processed. If you would like to volunteer to take
part in this test, please email Diane Stanke at dianes@oakparkparks.com.
It’s Showtime!
Buy your tickets now for the Park District of Oak Park’s 40th Annual Ice Show, “Route
66 with Detours” to be held on March 16, 17 and 18 at Ridgeland Common Ice
Arena. Tickets are on sale at Ridgeland Common, 415 Lake Street.
9. Take a Ride in Style
Teens in grades 9 through 12 are invited to take a ride through Oak Park in style
while hunting for items and performing crazy tasks in our first ever Teen Limo
Scavenger Hunt. Each team will be given 2 hours in a 6-passenger limo to cross as
many items/tasks off their list as they can. When time is up, each team will return to
Stevenson Center for the final results and a pizza party.
Shaping the Future of Oak Park Parks
Ridgeland Common Community Meeting
A Community Meeting was held on Wednesday, February 21 at 7pm at Ridgeland
Common to explain the Ridgeland Common Existing Conditions Study currently being
conducted by Thompson Dyke & Associates. A fact sheet and questionnaire was
distributed at this meeting and posted on the Park District website to collect public
input. The deadline to submit the questionnaire is March 16, 2007. A second
community meeting to report the results of the study is tentatively scheduled to be
held in May. The date is yet to be determined but will be posted on the Park District
website as soon as it’s finalized in mid-April.
Longfellow Park Site Plan
The Board of Park Commissioners accepted the final master plan recommendation for
Longfellow Park at the February 15 Regular Park Board Meeting at the Hedges
Administrative Center. An Illinois Department of Natural Resources Grant application
is currently being developed for Phase 1 of this park renovation project which is
tentatively scheduled in 2008.
Be sure to visit the Future Plans page for current information on upcoming
community meeting dates, plan concepts and more! The Park District of Oak
Park always welcomes community input regarding all park plans. Please send your
comments to Diane Stanke at dianes@oakparkparks.com.
“Kidfest: How Does Your Garden Grow?”
On Sunday, March 11 you can get a jump on spring at the Oak Park Conservatory as
the Friends of the Oak Park Conservatory present their annual Kidfest. This free and
fun event, to be held from 1 to 4pm, will feature a variety of hands-on activities that
relate to the wonderful world of plants. You will explore the tropical rain forest, the
desert and other natural wonders. For more information call (708) 386-4700.
Important Lottery Deadline
All programs listed in the spring brochure except those which require in-person
registration or otherwise indicated are lottery programs. The deadline to submit your
program registration to be included in the lottery is Thursday, MARCH 8 at 12
10. noon. All lottery registrations submitted by this date will be entered into our
computer system that randomly selects the maximum participants allotted for each
program. After the computer performs the lottery for all first choice selections,
registrants on waiting lists who selected an alternate choice will be processed in a
second choice lottery. Resident registrations received after the lottery will be
processed in the order received.
Try Something New
A variety of adult special interest workshops are offered this spring at the Park
District of Oak Park. Whether you’re an athlete, a gardener, a fitness buff or you just
want to try something new, you may find what you are looking for here at the Park
District of Oak Park.
Summer Job Opportunities
The Park District of Oak Park is the largest employer of youth in our community.
Currently we are filling over 150 summer positions including lifeguards, camp
counselors, parks maintenance, bike attendants, swim instructors, cashiers,
concessions and much more. Go to JOBS on the Park District website for more
details.
The West Suburban Special Recreation Association is also in search of summer staff.
If you are interested in working for WSSRA please call 847/455-2100 or go to
http://www.wssra.net/about/job_opp.php
Mark Your Calendar
Ongoing Polar Bear Pool Pass registration continues
Ongoing Oak Park Conservatory Seasonal Floral Show
March 1 Park Board Committee of the Whole Meeting
March 2 Daddy Daughter Date Night
March 3 ASA Opens (weather permitting)
March 6 Adult Softball New Team Registration
March 8 Program Lottery Deadline
March 11 KidsFest: How Does Your Garden Grow?
March 12 Non-resident registration begins
March 12 Garden Design Workshop
March 12-25 Ridgeland Indoor Playground closed for Ice Show
March 14 Ice Show Dress Rehearsal
March 15 Spring Lawn & Garden Care
March 15 Prairie School Lecture Series begins
March 15 Regular Park Board Meeting
11. March 16 Teen Limo Scavenger Hunt (Grades 9-12)
March 15-18 40th Annual Ridgeland Common Ice Show
March 19-25 Ridgeland Common closed for maintenance & repair
March 23 Madden NFL Tournament (Grades 6-12)
March 24 Family Photo Scavenger Hunt
March 24 Soccer Registration Day at Barrie
March 28 Babysitting Training (Ages 11-15)
March 29 Butterfly Gardening
March 30 Movie and a Meal (Ages 12-17)
March 30 Festival Theatre’s “Murder by the Book” begins at Pleasant
Home
March 31 Easter Egg Hunt & Doggie Hunt at Ridgeland Common
March 31 WSSRA Flap Jack Bunny Hop – Call 847/455-2100 for details
April 1 Adult Soccer League begins
April 1 Barrie Sport Court Opens (weather permitting)
April 3 Adult Trip to the Volo Auto Museum
For more information on any of these activities, go to www.oakparkparks.com
today!
quot;In partnership with the community, we provide quality parks and recreation
experiences for the residents of Oak Park.quot;
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