Bolingbrook Park District News - February 2021 Edition

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FEBRUARY / MARCH EDITION

Where the fun is!

UPCOMING FUN SEE PAGE 3

MANAGING WELLNESS DURING UNCERTAIN TIMES SEE PAGE 4

FREE

Bolingbrook Recreation & Aquatic Complex Renovation Project Complete

BOLINGBROOK RECREATION & AQUATICS COMPLEX PICTURES SEE PAGE 6

HIDDEN LAKES LONG-RANGE PLAN SEE PAGE 8

Tour BRAC Win Cash! , See how on

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PELICAN HARBOR STAFF EARNS HIGH HONORS SEE PAGE 11 Women’s Lifestyles locker room. For more pictures, see page 6

What is the Bolingbrook Park District News? ________________________ The publication you’re used to getting from us was our 100+ page program guide.

We listened to your feedback about wanting something not as overwhelming, easier to digest, and was delivered more often to serve as a registration reminder. The publication you’re reading will do all of those things and more. It will serve as your guide to all the fun

that Bolingbrook Park District has to offer.

You’ll see things like: • How to find program registration information.

• Recaps of previous programs.

• Upcoming program and event information.

• How our team keeps Bolingbrook beautiful.

• Fun articles about what we’re up to

behind the scenes.

• Information about our staff.

We hope you enjoy what you see in the coming pages and encourage you to visit our website: www.bolingbrookparks.org to find more information about programming, including our most recent digital program guide, that contains all the program information you’re used to seeing. We hope to see you soon!

bolingbrookparks.org

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A Letter from the Executive Director Facility Directory Annerino Community Center Administrative Office 201 Recreation Drive P (630) 739-0272 | F (630) 739-1039 Relay 800-526-0844 Ashbury’s at Boughton Ridge 335 E. Boughton Road P (630) 739-2377 | F (630) 759-1648 Bolingbrook Recreation & Aquatic Complex 200 Lindsey Lane P (630) 739-1700 | F (630) 759-5651 Boughton Ridge Golf Course 335 E. Boughton Road P (630) 739-4100 | F (630) 739-1648 Hidden Lakes Historic Trout Farm 475 Trout Farm Road P (630) 759-2381 Hidden Oaks Conservation Area 419 Trout Farm Road P (630) 739-2600 | F (630) 759-3056 LifeStyles Fitness Center 200 Lindsey Lane | P (630) 739-1705 Pelican Harbor Indoor/Outdoor Aquatic Park 200 Lindsey Lane | P (630) 739-1705

Hello, Bolingbrook Friends! Happy 2021!

The holidays are done and we are now in the middle of winter.

It’s cold and sometimes dreary. Well, Bolingbrook Park District is here to bring the sunshine!

We are making every attempt to bring the fun back in 2021.

Throughout the entire year, you will see new programs, new services, and revamped events - all with a focus on wellness and safety. Our talented team has an amazing year of fun planned, so get ready!

Have you seen the renovations at the Bolingbrook Recreation & Aquatic Complex? Wow! Beautiful new flooring, entrances, five family changing rooms, spectacular new locker room spaces for fitness and aquatics, and a great new multi-purpose room. LifeStyles Fitness also received a facelift with a fun new logo and branding color!

Our Capital Improvement and Referendum Implementation Plans will continue in 2021 with exciting projects that we look forward to bringing you. Some highlights include paving the parking lot and drives at Central Park/Annerino Community Center and new playgrounds installed at the following parks: • Plimmer (401 Lily Cache Ln.) • The Forest (1399 Carriage Ln.) • Ivanhoe (190 Falconridge Way) • Drafke (1125 Quail Run) • Century (1675 Apple Valley Dr.) As for other news, I invite you to check out www.bolingbrookparks.org/2020. This is a comprehensive look back at what we accomplished last year. Despite the on-going and significant challenges, Bolingbrook Park District strived to bring as many positives as possible. Our 50th Anniversary was as FUN as we could make it for you and your families.

As 2021 progresses, we will continue to evolve and meet your programming needs in this ever-changing environment. Whatever your interests are, our team is prepared to provide you with world-class service and a wonderful experience you have come to know and enjoy.

We appreciate you and your support more than you will ever know. We wish you a warm winter and an early spring. Just remember that it is always warm and welcoming at Bolingbrook Park District!

Board of Commissioners President Sue Vastalo svastalo@bolingbrookparks.org Vice President Melissa McCloud mmccloud@bolingbrookparks.org Treasurer Jerry Hix jhix@bolingbrookparks.org Secretary Denise Allen dallen@bolingbrookparks.org Commissioner Dorothy Andrews dandrews@bolingbrookparks.org 2

Where the fun is!

Sincerely, Ron Oestreich, Executive Director

Board of Commissioners Meeting Information

The Bolingbrook Park District Board of Commissioners have scheduled board meetings the third Thursday of each month. With the current guidelines of the State of Illinois’ Restore Illinois Plan, these meetings are now held virtually via ZOOM. To find the Board Meeting Agendas and Minutes, visit www.bolingbrookparks.org/board. Each date has a hyperlink that takes you to that month’s minutes or agenda. There are also links to prior board meeting minutes available to view.

To view one of the meetings, live, please follow the steps below: • Download the Board Meeting Agenda • Click the ZOOM meeting link on the first page of the document.

• Board meetings begin at 7:00 pm and we ask that you enter the meeting 5 minutes prior.

• Please be sure to use your legal name. Any use of inappropriate names may result in ejection from the meeting.

• Items for Public Comment may also be emailed to roestreich@bolingbrookparks.org by 4:30 pm the day of the meeting to be read during the meeting.

Mark Your Calendars Saturday, February 27

Friday, April 2

Saturday, April 17

Virtual Bolingbrook Park District Board of Commissioners Meeting 7:00 pm (ZOOM link available at www.bolingbrookparks.org/Board)

Friday, April 2

Saturday, April 24

Sunday, March 21

Thursday, April 15

Comedy Night $25 - Includes drink ticket Ashbury’s at Boughton Ridge

Thursday, March 18

Birds of Prey Event 11:00 am-Noon Hidden Oaks Nature Center

Parkies’ Egg Hunt 9:00-11:15 am $9 per person Pelican Harbor Indoor Aquatic Park

Otis’ Flashlight Egg Hunt 7:30-8:45 pm Hidden Oaks Nature Center

Virtual Bolingbrook Park District Board of Commissioners Meeting 7:00 pm (ZOOM link available at www.bolingbrookparks.org/Board)

Trout Fishing Derby Noon-3:00 pm $15 per person Hidden Lakes Historic Trout Farm

Road Rally 3:00-8:30 pm $129 fee | $109 with resident ID Annerino Community Center

Thursday, May 20

Virtual Bolingbrook Park District Board of Commissioners Meeting 7:00 pm (ZOOM link available at www.bolingbrookparks.org/Board)

March - May

PROGRAM GUIDE AVAILABLE! REGISTER TODAY! STEP-BY-STEP

HOW TO FIND THE PROGRAM GUIDE: Ashbury’s Famous

Fish Fry

1. Visit www.bolingbrookparks.org 2. Scroll down until you see the Program Guide Cover 3. Click the button that says “View Program Guide” 4. Scroll through and find your fun!

Curbside Pickup!

PLEASE NOTE:

The pro grams in this gu ide are for MARC H - MA Y

Fridays

4:00-8:00 pm Call (630) 783-6602 to place your order!

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A facility of the Bolingbrook Park District BoughtonRidgeGolf.com

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Managing Wellness During Uncertain Times _____________________________

by Chris Piasecki Fitness / Facility Manager It feels like (and almost is) a year since the COVID-19 pandemic began. It seems as if each month has presented a new challenge or uncertainty has moved to the forefront.

Whether it is coping with job loss, the e-learning process, the loss of a loved one or the anxiety that has escalated through it all, we are living in a time where managing your overall wellness is more important than ever.

Our team is committed to assisting our community any way we can. You are not alone in this journey. Lifestyles Fitness is more than a facility that offers workout equipment and fitness classes. We offer a community of support. During our most challenging times, what gets us through is knowing someone is there to encourage us and keep us going. This is true whether you are struggling to get through the COVID-19 era or simply managing the daily struggle of balancing our health and wellness in a “normal” year.

According to Mental Health America, there are numerous things you can do to help maintain hope in the face of uncertainly. As 4

Where the fun is!

a Lifestyles team, we have leaned on these practices to keep us moving forward during these challenging times. We wanted to share them with you and hope that you adapt them for yourself to help you maintain your own overall wellness.

Remind yourself that this isn’t forever.

Look at how far we have come so far. It has been eleven months since the initial shut down in March. We adapted every step of the way. We offered outdoor classes during the summer and fall and will pick them back up as soon as the Chicago weather allows in the spring. We moved equipment, added barriers, increased sanitizing stations, and instituted reservation timeslots to keep our participant numbers at a safe level. The constant change and adapting reminds us that this will pass and will not be forever.

Control what you can.

Lifestyles Fitness cannot control what the world brings next, but we can control how we approach it. It is our mission to provide fitness and community to you. We took the forced break as an opportunity to evaluate our offerings and work on improvements.

The Bolingbrook community will see a fresh new “look” to Lifestyles Fitness at our Bolingbrook Recreation & Aquatic Complex.

We are also wrapping up final plans for more opportunities for our members to connect and lean on the community support that Lifestyles provides.

Look ahead to post-pandemic times.

Our team is focusing on the future. We are so excited to see where we’ll be when we’re past this. The new layout of our facility provides a club experience within the community center. We can’t wait to see our morning coffee crew gathered around our new seating area in our lobby. The beautiful natural-light filled multi-purpose room will allow for more participants in programs and events. These images are what keeps our team motivated. We have plans developed and are just waiting for “go-time” to activate them for some great community events to bring us all together.

With that in mind, we have a challenge for you. We are inviting the community to share with us what you look forward to and we want to share what we look forward to with you. Here are a few of the things on our list: • Packed outdoor fitness classes this spring.

• The return of Parkie’s 5K/10K next August.

• Exciting new formats of group exercise classes.

• People filling our facilities.

We are inviting you to check out what has kept us motivated during this time.

We are currently offering opportunities for the community to come see the changes at Lifestyles and the Bolingbrook Recreation & Aquatic Complex. There are virtual and inperson options.

The best part of all this is that we’re going to help you with what you’re looking forward to. Lifestyles Fitness will randomly select names of our visitors and surprise them with gift cards for when life gets back to normal.

All you have to do is sign-up for a tour of the newly renovated Bolingbrook Recreation & Aquatic Complex, tell us what you’re looking forward to doing in 2021, and we’ll put you in the hopper for a chance to win.

Stay well and we hope you are looking forward to future fun at Lifestyles Fitness and Bolingbrook Park District.

Inside the men’s locker room at Lifestyles Fitness.

Sign-up to take a tour of the newly renovated Bolingbrook Recreation & Aquatic Complex, tell us what you’re looking forward to in 2021 and be entered to win money to help pay for it!

Examples include: going on a trip, out to dinner, purchasing new clothes, etc.

HOW TO SCHEDULE A FREE TOUR Online: • Visit www.bolingbrookparks.org/tour • Click the “Schedule a Tour” Button • Find a time slot that works best for you • Sign-up using your Bolingbrook Park District login or check out as a “guest” Or Contact: Chris Piasecki, Fitness/Facility Manager at cpiasecki@bolingbrookparks.org or (630) 783-6642 Tour Availability: Monday-Friday: 9:00-11:00 am & 4:00-7:00 pm Saturday: 9:00-11:00 am bolingbrookparks.org

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Bolingbrook Recreation & Aquatic Complex Renovation Complete ______________________________

The Bolingbrook Park District Board of Commissioners and staff are happy to announce that the Bolingbrook Recreation & Aquatic Complex renovation project is complete! This project is part of the $14 million referendum that was passed in 2018.

We thank you for your continued support of the park district and are very excited for you to come use the facility. Check out all the new features!

New entrance to welcome you to the facility with new lighting, flooring, wall graphics, and furniture.

Five new family changing rooms offer a private space for families to get ready for fun in the pool.

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Where the fun is!

Pelican Harbor now has a new entrance and fully operational reception desk to assist customers.

SWIM LESSONS at Pelican Harbor Indoor / Outdoor Aquatic Park Renovated men’s and women’s fitness locker rooms and separate aquatic locker rooms have a fresh and modern feel.

Swim Lesson Checklist: Build confidence Learn to swim Be safe Have fun!

The new 1,600 square foot multi-purpose room has lots of natural light, a premium sound system, and plenty of space for any activity or event.

REGISTER HERE!

To see more of the renovation project, please follow the link to this video walk-through or schedule a tour by visiting www.bolingbrookparks.org/tour.

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Hidden Lakes Permit Fees Eliminated as ___________________________________

The Bolingbrook Park District’s longrange improvement plan for Hidden Lakes Historic Trout Farm continues into 2021. We have accomplished many of the outlined improvements including shoreline stabilization, new source water, additional aerators, and an increased commitment to programming. After much research and discussion, beginning this April, you no longer need to pay a permit fee to fish at Hidden Lakes Trout Farm. However, you will need a State of Illinois Fishing License, as you do at all Village of Bolingbrook ponds. This has long been a request of our local anglers. We learned last year that the outdoor fun provided at Hidden Lakes was popular. These lakes are for everyone in the community, just as the other ponds and lakes are throughout Bolingbrook. We will still stock fish before the fishing derbies and we will continue to staff the Tackle Box Bait Shop. We will also continue with our 2021 improvements, which include additional weed control and eventually a new bait shop.

Work on the Hidden Lakes Long-Range Plan will continue into 2021. Here are the details for the plan.

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Where the fun is!

Hidden Lakes Historic Trout Farm Long-Range Improvement / Operations Plan Introduction This plan was created to set comprehensive goals and give direction to the future of Hidden Lakes Historic Trout Farm. This plan will be used as a guideline.

It is meant to be flexible, to afford staff the opportunity to make adjustments for unexpected events.

Statement of Purpose Hidden Lakes is a safe, beautiful, and tranquil setting in the DuPage River valley featuring four ponds reachable by trails, with a modest but well equipped bait shop that stocks live bait including worms, minnows as well as other fishing tackle and supplies.

Hidden Lakes Historic Trout Farm shall be maintained and operated in compliance with the standards established

by Bolingbrook Park District Board of Commissioners. The purpose of the operation is to provide a genuine recreation experience in the sport of fishing and enhance quality of family life. Because of the design of the facility, any age fisherperson can be successful in catching fish and having fun!

Long Range Plan A plan of improvements and enhancements was developed for the Hidden Lakes operation. These recommendations consist of projects that will preserve the trout farm. Each item on the list was reviewed and prioritized. Future viability of the trout farm and revenue generation were considered in these rankings.

Bank Stabilization If left unattended, over time the banks of the ponds will continue to erode. It is imperative that this process be halted. The

Horticulture and Natural Resources Team stabilizing the shorelines at Hidden Lakes Historic Trout Farm in 2020. This new stable shoreline also received native plant plugs and seeds.

2021 Fishing Derby Schedule $15 Per Person

____________________

Saturday, April 17

Trout Derby 12:00-3:00 pm ____________________

Saturday, May 15

Catfish Derby 3:00-6:00 pm ____________________

Part of Long-Range Plan Bolingbrook Park District natural resources team has begun to implement a three-year bank stabilization plan to ensure the longterm viability of the ponds.

Peninsula and southwest shore of pond #3 were completed. This was completed using Coir log, SC120 erosion blanket, and 6-8” granite cobble. Areas were seeded with short stature native grass and peach leaf willow.

Pond Vegetation Control 2019 • Three applications of EarthTec applied to Hidden Lakes ponds through September.

EarthTec is a suspension liquid that will remain active in the water column until algae breakouts are detected. It is a copper-based algaecide that reacts biologically rather than contact/direct application like most other copper sulfate-based algaecides.

• Two applications of Cutrine Plus were applied to Hidden Lakes ponds through August 1st. Cutrine Plus is your standard copper algaecide that is utilized for spot applications.

2020 • Aquatic treatments began in May and continued.

• A quarter of each pond was treated at a time. The duration between applications

was based off of aquacide label recommendations.

• Precautions were taken to avoid rapid drop of pond dissolved oxygen levels due to dying vegetation.

2021 • Research potential aquatic vegetation management companies to implement a comprehensive aquatic weed control program including the implementation of new pre-emergent aquatic vegetation products.

Saturday, June 19

Kids Derby 10:00 am-Noon ____________________

Saturday, August 28

Night Derby 6:00-10:00 pm ____________________

Saturday, September 25 Catfish Derby 3:00-6:00 pm

Overall Park Improvement Plan 2019 • Repaired the canoe launches at both Hidden Lakes and Royce Road.

• Repaired and rebuilt the peninsula on pond 3.

• Shoreline restoration of pond 3 completed on the west side.

• Pruned trees and shrubs.

• Began restoration of the pump house with the application of herbicide applied and removal of invasive species.

• Provided a larger water tank for Bait Shop.

• Treated ponds for aquatic algae.

• More clearing to be completed along trail (wooded area) heading west from Hidden Lakes.

Continued on next page bolingbrookparks.org

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2020 • Continued plantings maintenance through pruning and removal of invasive species along all trails connecting to Hidden Lakes.

• Mowing and cutting back vegetation impeding upon trail continued.

• Completed Poison Ivy control near DRG trail.

• Continued Hidden Lakes turf to native vegetation conversions.

• Completed work on the 2020 Illinois American Water Grant. Hidden Lakes Pond 4 bank stabilization and adjacent DuPage River terrestrial shoreline.

• Continued general landscaping work at Hidden Lakes pump house bed, Hidden Oaks Rain Water Garden, community gardens, and general grounds.

• Completed the Hidden Lakes Master Plan conducted by Engineering Resources Assoc. This long-range program outlines water quality, sediment, bank stabilization, and longterm restoration plans.

• Completed the installation of nine additional aerators into the four ponds which will help with weed control and reduce water stagnation.

• Completed the installation of a water well for pond water fill. The addition

In 2019, the peninsula at pond #3 was repaired and rebuilt. of this water well has resulted in the removal of the water feed pipe from the quarry that stretches across the DuPage River.

• General cleanup of DuPage River bank and log removal along bank.

2021 • Select additional shoreline areas that display the greatest amount of erosion and continue with coir log bank stabilization methods. Coir log repair areas installed in 2019 have now withheld through three major flood events and are currently beginning to vegetate.

• Increase the amount of emergent shoreline vegetation in ponds. This

vegetation not only provides habitat for fish, but also reduces the impact of wave action and water flow on unprotected shorelines.

• With the reduction of turf throughout Hidden lakes open turf areas. Relandscape one of the vegetated shaded areas in the middle of the property. The re-landscaped area will favor passive recreation for sitting and picnicking in a shaded environment.

2021 Bait Shop Improvements • Bolingbrook Park District Project Team applied and has been awarded a $505,000 Museum Grant through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources for a complete tear down and re-build of the Bait Shop / Learning Pavilion. This project will include a new shop, event/ learning pavilion, and flush toilets.

• Pending receiving the grant money, this project should kick off in the spring and be complete by the fall.

For more information on the Hidden Lakes Historic Trout Farm improvement plan, you may reach our to John Chase, Superintendent of Facilities at jchase@ bolingbrookparks.org.

• • • •

Learn to Skate Classes Learn to Skate for Hockey Classes Rockin’ Public Skate Your Home on Days Off School!

ICE SKATING AND HOCKEY ARE LIFETIME SPORTS!

630.679.1700 • ROCKETICE.COM ROCKET ICE ARENA • BOLINGBROOK, ILLINOIS

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Where the fun is!

Pelican Harbor Staff Earns High Honor following categories: • Lifeguard Scanning • Skills in First Aid • Spinal and Extrication Scenarios • Facility Standards • Supervisor Observation

The staff at Pelican Harbor Indoor / Outdoor Aquatic Park celebrates in a “soon-to-be filled” pool. ________________________________

The staff at Pelican Harbor Indoor/ Outdoor Aquatic Park has earned the 5-Star Aquatic Safety Award for the 2020 season from StarGuard ELITE, an aquatic risk prevention agency. The award is in

recognition of exceptional operational safety standards, lifeguard professionalism, and excellence in risk management practices.

To qualify for such an award means that the lifeguards passed numerous audits that were conducted randomly throughout the year. To be considered 5-star means that during these audits, staff went above and beyond in the

“I feel extremely proud of the staff,” said Sarah Sielisch, who is in her first year as aquatic manager. “They worked very hard for this, this award would not be achievable if it wasn’t for such a hardworking and dedicated staff.”

Recognizing their efforts, Sarah had t-shirts made for the 15 staff that received a 5-star award as an individual. Moving into this year, it’s important to Sielisch and her team to repeat what they did in 2020. All audits were recorded so they will use those as examples, as well as doing their own internal audits.

“They are extremely excited and all have said let’s do it again in 2021!” said Sielisch, “I love that they want to keep striving to be the best they can be. We will keep improving our in-services to make sure our staff is well prepared for any emergency situation.”

Pelican Harbor Indoor Aquatic Park is currently open for lap swimming reservations and swim lessons. For more information, visit www.bolingbrookparks. org.

Northern Will County Special Recreation Association SAFETY • FUN • TEAMWORK INCLUSION • INTEGRITY 10 Montrose Drive, Romeoville, IL • 815-407-1819 • www.nwcsra.org

ABOUT US

INCLUSION SERVICES

Northern Will County Special Recreation Association (NWCSRA) represents the partnership between Bolingbrook Park District, Lockport Township Park District, Plainfield Park District, the Village of Romeoville, Brookeridge Park District and Justice Park District.

Our partner districts work collaboratively with Northern Will

Our mission is to provide meaningful recreation opportunities for individuals with disabilities that enhance their overall quality of life by creating a community that empowers, connects and provides limitless possibilities.

choice in the least restrictive environment. In order to secure the

County Special Recreation Association to provide reasonable accommodations to individuals with a disability who wish to participate in a program through the park district. All individuals who meet program eligibility requirements should be provided the opportunity to participate in recreation programs of their appropriate level of support for a successful inclusion experience, a minimum of two weeks advance notice to the district hosting the program is requested. For additional questions regarding inclusion support you can contact the Accessibility Services

Join our mailing list: email msiebert@nwcsra.org

Manager for NWCSRA at 815-407-1819 ext. 204.

Be sure to also “Like” us on Facebook!

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Meet Our Staff !

Mike Baiardo, CPRP Director of Recreation & Facilities ________________________________ Mike’s career in parks and recreation started all the way back when he was a

5th-6th grade girls basketball coach for the Chicago Park District when he was in high school. He continued working for park districts during the summers between semesters at Illinois State University when he was a Day Camp Counselor for the Chicago Park District.

After graduating from Illinois State University with a degree in Park and Recreation Administration, he took a job as a Recreation Supervisor at Morton Grove Park District. He then spent six years as the Superintendent of Recreation at the Alsip Park District before coming to the Bolingbrook Park District in 2013.

Now in his eighth year at Bolingbrook Park District, Mike is in charge of the district’s recreation and facilities programming. He oversees nine full-time staff that covers the following areas: • Early Childhood, Youth, Teen & Adult Recreation Programs • Preschool • Dance

Put Your Family’s Care in Our Hands Our AMITA Health Medical Group physicians provide compassionate, quality care delivered with dignity and empathy.

Featuring: • Preventive care for the whole family • Back-to-school and sports physicals

• • • •

Gymnastics, Ninja, & Cheerleading Athletics Lifestyles Fitness Pelican Harbor Indoor/Outdoor Aquatic Park • Hidden Oaks Nature Center Mike sets the vision for all park district programming based on the needs of the community, which includes setting the budget, goals, and both short and long-term plans. He does quality control checks on programs, services, and facilities, and works with staff to implement new services. The best parts of the job to him are working with the community and seeing people enjoy all the fun the district has to offer.

“I love seeing the instant gratification of fun at special events and when milestones are hit in our instructional-based programming,” said Baiardo.

Mike can be reached at mbaiardo@ bolingbrookparks.org or (630)783-6529.

Call 1.855.MyAMITA (692.6482) to schedule an appointment with one of our top physicians.

Same-day and Weekend Appointments Available!

AMITA Health Medical Group Family Medicine Bolingbrook 329 Remington Blvd., Ste. 100 630.759.4800

AMITAhealthMedicalGroup.org

© 2016 AMITA Health 160519

Where the fun is!

12160519 AHMG Family Medicine Bolingbrook Park District 8.125 x 5.5 Ad.indd

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5/9/16 3:46 PM

Community Comes Together to Provide Vital Progam _____________________________

It certainly takes a village. In this case, it took the park district, Valley View School District, the Village of Bolingbrook, and a few churches. That’s what it took to provide the various versions of the REACH Extended Care program in the past year.

Normally, park district staff provides support before and after school at six participating elementary schools. But when schools went to e-learning, families with working parents needed a place to send their kids.

The conversations of providing e-learning support began all the way back in June of last year when the idea of kids going back to school first started. Park district staff prepared for multiple scenarios not knowing what the State of Illinois would decide.

One of those scenarios included All-Day e-learning support. Restrictions limited the amount of people in facilities, so staff had to find facilities beyond what the park district had to host the program.

“We were prepared to have 150 kids across four locations,” said Baiardo. “Living Water Church, New Life Church, and the Village of Bolingbrook stepped up without hesitation to provide support. They didn’t charge us any fees other than covering the costs of the added utilities, which we were very grateful for.”

The REACH All-Day Care program has been running since Labor Day with a lot of help from Valley View School District.

They have provided support including hot spots for stronger internet connection and helped promote the program through their

communication channels. The All-Day Care program continues at the Annerino Community Center as schools have gone back to in-person learning in January.

Additionally, the REACH Before/After School Care program started at the six elementary schools that include: • BJ Ward • Independence • Jonas Salk • Pioneer • Tibbott • Wood View When the decision was made to go to in-person learning, staff reached out to the school district who had already began to get feedback from parents asking about the REACH program. Park district staff used their experience of planning and adapting to get ready. Kai Walhgren, superintendent of recreation knew the challenges that were ahead, but knew that the goal was to provide a service to the community.

“We basically had six months of work to do in two weeks,” said Wahlgren. We’ve certainly grown through this pandemic and we’ve been fortunate to have built such a strong relationship with the school district throughout the years and it helped get this program up and running again.”

Since 2004, the REACH Extended Care program has been a growing need in the community. It first began when BJ Ward became an elementary school. For more information about the program and how to register, please visit www. bolingbrookparks.org/REACH.

Our grounds team provides regular maintenance to the 83 handmade park signs throughout the district. This includes sanding, painting, repairing cracks, and replacing posts.

Typically, 10-20 signs are painted during the winter months.

bolingbrookparks.org

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Bolingbrook Community Gives Back with Elder Angel Program Sometimes, all you need is a teddy bear to hug. For one of the 127 seniors at area senior living facilities, that’s all he wanted for Christmas. As part of the Elder Angel Program that Bolingbrook Park District organized, all of the residents got what they asked for.

The Elder Angel Program at Bolingbrook Park District began four years ago when preschool staff would get items requested from seniors at local assisted living facilities and would place those items as ornaments on trees in the park district facilities.

Customers that came into the facility could pick an ornament and purchase those items. With it being a year of change, and only having one facility open, John Chase, superintendent of facilities, took it upon himself to make sure this holiday season didn’t go without helping out those in our community.

“It just wasn’t an acceptable option that all these folks who don’t have people come to visit them on a regular basis didn’t have the opportunity to receive gifts,” said Chase.

Back in early December, a list was compiled of 127 residents from three different facilities in Bolingbrook. They wrote out what they wanted for the holidays and the district went to work. The list was initially sent out to park district staff to purchase items and in two hours, 30% of the list had been bought up and almost half in the first 24 hours. After that, the list was made public via social media and in 24 hours, the list was completely taken.

Items included everyday items like toilet paper, toothpaste, towels, to yes, a large huggable teddy bear.

Residents sent thank-you pictures in response to receiving their gifts.

To make sure the process was as socially-distanced as possible, curbside drop-off dates were arranged at the Bolingbrook Recreation & Aquatic Complex for those to drop off their gifts to be taken to the different facilities. All the items were

The Diaz family drops off their gifts for the Elder Angel Program.

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Where the fun is!

then compiled and delivered to the following facilities: • Heritage Woods (550 Kildeer Dr.) • Revere Court (351 Lily Cache Ln.) • Meadowbrook Manor (431 Remington Blvd.)

Even after all the items had been purchased, there was still a number of people that wanted to support. A list of generic, non-gendered items was available for people to purchase and those items were divided throughout the facilities so no one went empty handed.

“This is one of the most unique things I’ve been part of at the district because of the direct impact that we had,” said Chase.

“For the community to have come together like that, it was such a cool thing. A really wonderful feeling that we made 127 peoples holiday season in just a few days.”

If you’d like to continue to support the seniors in the community, we encourage you to reach out to the Activity Directors directly.

There is always a need for gifts for those that don’t get birthday gifts or things for other special occasions.

Check out our 50 parks and 1,100+ acres of open space!

Dream Big Work Hard Visit www.bolingbrookparks.org/parks to find your nearest park!

Never Give Up

Bolingbrook Park District

Preparing your child for Kindergarten

3 Sites

Ages 18 mo. & up Skill Development & Classes Team Gymnastics

Annerino Community Center 201 Recreation Dr.

For more information, visit www. bolingbrookparks.org/gymnastics

Hidden Oaks Nature Center 419 Trout Farm Rd.

Bolingbrook Recreation & Aquatic Complex 200 S. Lindsey Ln. LEARN MORE: www.bolingbrookparks.org/preschool

bolingbrookparks.org

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201 Recreation Dr. . Bolingbrook, IL 60440

HAPPY. HEALTHY. TOGETHER.

Open for Lap Swimming • 45-minute time slots • $4 per reservation • Must register 24 hours in advance

Become healthier while having fun and building relationships.

The strength of our community makes for the best fitness experience that Bolingbrook has to offer at Lifestyles Fitness.

GET STARTED by signing up for a group fitness class or open time slot today at bolingbrookparks.org/fitness.

Register online at www.bolingbrookparks.org/lapswim Pelican Harbor Indoor Aquatic Park (200 Lindsey Ln.)

Bolingbrook Recreation & Aquatic Complex (200 Lindsey Ln.) A facility of the Bolingbrook Park District . bolingbrookparks.org