2022-2023 Kankakee Valley Park District Annual Report

ANNUAL REPORT

Kankakee Valley Park District 2022-2023

A MESSAGE FROM THE KANKAKEE VALLEY PARK DISTRICT

2022-2023 was an exciting year for the district We believe the district slogan of "Parks, People and Progress" is a great representation of the year. Here is a snippet of what we believe we accomplished for each part of the slogan.

Parks brought about a few of our greatest changes this year Beckman Parks tennis courts were given a makeover and are now three outdoor Pickleball courts. Three parks received new playgrounds. River Road Sports Complex was nominated and awarded a spot in the National Softball Association Hall of Frame The District took over the daily operations of Splash Valley Aquatic Park These are just a few of the exciting happenings in our parks.

The People of our community benefitted from new activities and events as well as our tried and true programming From the giggles of babies splashing around in the pool at Splash Valley, an adults first time on ice skates, to the exciting yell of "Bingo" at the active adults monthly Wednesday morning games, our "people" of the recreation department strive to continually provide something for all ages KVPD rental facilities have been places of community and family celebrations Many people have been through our doors, whether for a wedding reception at the Civic, soccer practice in the Rec Center gym to a hockey game out at Ice Valley Centre.

Progress is what keeps the district moving forward in our ever changing world A few of our rental facilities have been improved to meet the needs of the community. The Civic has a new bridal suite and remodeled kitchen. Walking paths have been and are continuing to be improved. A new deck and pergola at Bird Park and shade structures at Splash Valley added areas to sit and relax New LED lights were placed through out the district in order to "progress" the district to energy efficiency

As you review the 2022-2023 annual report you will see more ways the district strived for and achieved our slogan of "Parks, People and Progress" Remember we will never be able to completely convey all of our accomplishments The district is grateful and appreciative of our community support and the partnerships and sponsors we had over the course the year. This annual report provides a small synopsis of the fiscal year We hope you see why we are proud to be KVPD!

-Kankakee Valley Park District

Dave Skelly President Don Palmer Vice-President

James Frey Secretary

Michael Matthews Treasurer Raymond Eads Commissioner

Board of Commissioners

OUR MISSION

The Kankakee Valley Park Distict exists to

acquire, develop, and maintain parks, promote the conservation of natural and historical resources, and provide recreational facilities, programs and services for the benefit of all District residents. The ability to accomplish our mission is made possible through the dedicated efforts of commissioners and staff, the generosity of area residents, a combination of tax dollars, fees, private donations and grants and cooperation with other governmental and private entities

Our Ammenities Popular

Established in 1925, The District serves the

28,250 residents

of Aroma Park and Kankakee Townships. We exist to acquire, develop and maintain parks; promote the conservation of natural and historical resources, and provide recreational facilities, programs, and services for the benefit of all District residents

AccordingtoresearchbyJohnCrompton, TexasA&MUniversity,propertyvaluescanbe upto

20% higher

ifahomeislocatedwithin500feetofawellmaintainedpark.Ahomebuyerchoosesa homethatisclosetoparksandopenspace overonethatisnot.Inaddition,theyare usuallywillingtopay10%moreforthathome.

Indoor Gymasium

PARTNERSHIPS

32

During 2022 and 2023, the Kankakee Valley Park District maintained partnerships with non-profit, businesses and organizations. These partnerships provided a variety of programming and enrichments opportunities to the community.

Acting Out Theatre, Co.

Adopt A Soldier

Amita Health St. Mary's Hospital

Catholic Charities

Christ Jesus Ministries

CIRKA

Eastside Jr. Football League

Glenwood Figure Skating Club

Greater Chicagoland Skate USA Committee

Kankakee Area YMCA

Kankakee Colts Youth Football & Cheerleading

Kankakee Community College

Kankakee County Museum

Kankakee County Soccer Academy

Kankakee Premier Soccer League

Kankakee River Front Society

Kankakee Valley Model Flyers

River Valley SRA

Kankakee Valley Symphony Orchestra

Kankakee Valley Theatre Association

Kankakee Trinity Academy

Kankakee Youth Hockey Club

Kankakee Women's Club

KGSSL Aftershock

Little Me Studio

Municipal Band

National Softball Association

Nuscotomek Youth Baseball

Olivet Nazarene University Hockey Team

Project Headspace and Timing

River Valley Forest Preserve District

Adam Turrell w/ Northwestern Mutual Alliance Grain Co.

Amita Health

Arthur R. Kremer, D.D.S

Aurelio's Pizza

Beautiful You Salon

Berkots

Bite Sized Pediatric Denistry

Bordertown Guns

C + A Cranes

Comcast Universal

SPONSORSHIPS

Thankstooursponsors,

the District was able to host several free events for the community in 2022 and 2023 including KVPD

Feature Films, Splash Valley Summer Bash, Touch-A-Truck, Howl-O-Ween, Pumpkin Palooza, Tree of Honor and more. Even more sponsors assisted with figure skater's ice show fees with our 50/50 sponsorship program at Ice Valley Centre Ice Arena

We thank our sponsors for their continued support and partnership with the District

The Fishers Powers Group

County Recorder Lori Gadbois

County West Physical Therapy

D. Westphal Jewelers, Inc.

Dance Alive! Dance Studio

Ford & Sons Concrete

Happy Life Ranch

Jimmy Jo's

Judge Marlow Jones

Martin & Sons Hardware Hank

Mayor Brian Stump Meijer

Nucor Steel (Kankakee)

Nikolic Construction & Remodeling

One Stop Shop Blinds Play Palz 101 Robbins-Schwartz

Ryan's Pier

Star's Clean Sweep

State Attorney Jim Rowe

State Representative Jackie Haas

Silver Lining Therapeutic Services

GRANTS & AWARDS

Each year, the Illinois Association for Park Districts holds it's annual "Give Us Your Best Show Photo Contest" Four categories are offered, including Recreation/People at Play, Sports, Wildlife and Nature/Landscapes. In 2022, the District's Marketing Manager,

Angie Pace-Tousignant, received an Honorable Mention for her photo "New Friends in the Park" in the Recreation/People category. The photo, featuring two pups meeting for the first time, we taken at our Howl-O-Ween Dog Party at the River Run Dog Park in October of 2022.

NationalSoftballAssociationsHallofFame

GiveUsYourBestShotPhotoContest Grants Awarded

Kankakee Valley Park Districts River Road Sports Complex is headed to the Hall of Fame. The 2023 NSA Hall of Fame Nominee, River Road Sports Complex, has hosted NSA games for both youth fast pitch softball and adult slow-pitch softball dating back to 1998. Over the course of the past 25 years, River Road Sports Complex been the recipient of the “NSA Outstanding Complex Award” from 1999 to 2016 This national award is given to parks that provide outstanding facilities for NSA Tournaments River Road Sports Complex has hosted over 60 State Championships, 12 NSA Super NIT’s, 7 NSA Super Regionals and 10 NSA World Series in both adult and youth softball tournaments. With 6 full size fields of which four are lighted, practice areas, full concessions stand, press box, covered pavilion, playground, and abundant parking, Kankakee Valley Park District is proud to continue to invest in keeping local and state sports alive and well

$150,00

The Grant was awar for infrasructure rep that are needed to Beckman Harbor E Wall

Senator Joyce State of Illinois Budg

$300,000

City of Kankakee ARPA Funds Improvements were made to walking paths, playground development and repurposing exsiting ammenities

$100,000

and Kankakee County for the Beckman East Wall repair

Senator Joyce

Building for the Future

Park District is committed to enriching and serving the community We strive to help people enjoy life by providing an exceptional park and recreation system 2022 and 2023 brought many projects to all our facilities, parks and properties

Old Ball Diamond Road Renovation

“Old Ball Diamond Road”, located off of River Road by the River Road Sports Complex and KVPD Campground, is scheduled for a three phase repaving project. The first part of the project was completed in 2019-2020 with the second phas being completed in 2023. The third and last phase of the project will be upcoming in 2024-2025.

Steve Hunter Parking Lot Addition

Located at Webster Circle West and Laurel Street in Kankakee, this park had a parking lot added in 2023. The paved lot includes seven parking spaces and one handicap space. The park includes a playground, baseball fields, open space and basketball courts.

The Kankakee Valley

COMPLETE

COMPLETE

Beckman Park Pickleball Courts

COMPLETE

With the ever rise in popularity in Pickleball, it was an easy decision to transform the Beckman Park tennis courts in to Pickleball courts. Construction on the old tennis courts began in the fall of 2022 and was completed by Midwest Sports Courts. The project took two weeks to complete with a ribbon cutting ceremony in November. Most days, you’ll find the Pickleball courts busy with players of all ages enjoying the new courts.

Civic Auditorium Bridal Suite

COMPLETE

One of our most popular locations for weddings received a beautiful new space for brides and wedding parties in 2022. Construction on the new Bridal Suite began in September 2022. The project included new flooring, lights and furniture for the space, as well as an updated bathroom. The Bridal Suite was designed and completed by staff and concluded construction in November of 2022.

Bird Park Deck and Barn Renovation

COMPLETE

The Bird Park Barn (located next to the Don Palzer Bandshell), received a facelift in the summer of 2022. The Barn was repainted and had a new roof installed. The small storage building, affectionaly called “The Dog House”, also was repainted and received a new roof. The project was completed in July 2022 by our maintenance staff.

Quarry Building Renovation

COMPLETE

Adult and Senior programming has a new home in the Bird Park Quarry Building. In early 2023, the stone building received new plumbing and kitchenette. The inside of the building was repainted and new flooring was laid. The new configuration included a new storage area and tables and chairs were purchased. In 2023, a new furnace and air conditioning will be installed. The work was completed by our maintenance staff by March.

River Run Dog Park Parking Lot

COMPLETE

Muddy paws are a thing of the past with the installation of a new gravel parking lot at the River Road Dog Park The parking lot was installed by the Kankakee Valley Construction Company and was completed in the late summer of 2022.

New Playgrounds

COMPLETE

Three of our parks received new playgrounds in the early summer of 2023. The Park District held ribbon cutting ceremonies at Washington Park, Bert Dear Sr. Park (a first for this park!) and Potawatomi Park in Aroma Park to celebrate the new additions. NuToys Leisure Products Landscape Structures installed the new playground equipment. Bert Dear, Sr. Park received 50% funding through ARPA Funds from the City of Kankakee.

Tree Replacement Program

COMPLETE

Beautifying our parks with the addition of new trees began in 2017. In 2022, we added 17 new trees to McBroom Park, Kensignton Park, Heil Park, Strasma Park, Railroad Park and Beckman Park, as well as landscaping to the front of Ice Valley Centre Ice Arena. The trees includes several varities, including Sweetgums, Autumn Blazes, London Plans, Maple Marmos, Cyrpress Bald Shawnee Braves and Celebration Maples. The trees were purchased locally from Sniders and Tholens.

Jeffers Park Building

COMPLETE

The building Jeffers Park, located at W. Water St. and S. 3rd St. in Kankakee, had many updates in 2022. A new roof was installed, as well as new flooring, tables and chairs, an update to the existing kitchen and improvements to the bathroom. The rental building renovation was completed by maintenance staff in the fall.

Beckman East Wall Boat Ramp IN PROGRESS

The Beckman East Wall Boat Ramp project began in May 2023. The project will include a total rebuild of the east wall. Once the wall is rebuilt and stabilized, the ramp will be reopened for the community and emergency boats. The estimated completion date for this project is the Fall of 2023 Engineering is being done by Piggush and construction by D Construction

New Fleet Vehicles and New Equipment for Facilities and Rental Buildings

COMPLETE

New tables and chairs were purchased in 2023 for various rental facilities and buildings throughout the District. Two new vehicles were added to the KVPD Fleet in 2022; a 2018 Ford F150 and a 2020 Ford Explorer.

KVPD Campground

COMPLETE

The KVPD Campground received new showers in the summer of 2023. Maintenance staff worked to clear out under brush through the campground and several more primiative campsites will be added in the future.

LeVasseur Park and Trails IN PROGRESS

This three phase project includes repaving the walking trails at the beautiful LeVasseur Park and Trails. The project is split in to three parts and repaving will happen in different sections of the park over time. Phase I was completed in 2022, Phase II is scheduled to be completed in 2023 and Phase III is scheduled to be completed in 2024. In 2022, weeds, underbrush and trees were removed to beautify the park.

River Road Shed Project COMPLETED

In the fall of 2022, a new pole barn was built at the River Road Sports Complex. The pole barn houses equipment used to maintain the fields and surrounding areas at the sports complex. Cameras were also added to the pole barn in 2022.

Rental Skates

The three year project to replace old skates and add to Ice Valley Centre Ice Arena’s inventory of rental skates was completed in August of 2022. 107 pairs of hockey and figure skates were purchased in 2022.

Bird Park Deck

A beautiful new deck and pergola were added to the back of the Bird Park Administration Building in the summer of 2022. New picnic tables were placed on the deck overlooking the Bird Park Quarry and lights were strung over the pergola for a dreamy effect at night. The project was completed by maintenance staff in July 2022.

Splash Valley Aquatic Park Gazebos

Guests at Splash Valley Aquatic Park were shaded from the sun this summer with the addition three new pergulas. The pergulas were installed by staff. With the addition of the new shaded areas, this brought our total to five pergulas at the park

Our Producing Facilities Revenue

Splash Valley Aquatic Park

Reopened in 2021, our water park features two body slides, one tube slide, an under 48" children's slide in zero depth water, water troughs, main play feature with slide, main pool with lap lanes, fully stocked concessions stand, two sand volleyball courts and spacious parking! Season passes and swim lessons available

In 2023, we added three new pergolas for guests to enjoy the shade on a hot summer day. The Summer Kickoff Party was held Memorial Day Weekend, with live music by CIRKA, live radio remote, giveaways and free swimming.

Swimming lessons included classes for swimmers as young as 6 months through adults 61 swimmers took lessons during the summer of 2022

New special events during the summer of 2022 included our first ever Dino Dig 33 children enjoyed a morning of digging for dinosaur bones in our sand volleyball courts, dinosaur related crafts and a yummy dino nugget lunch. Many stayed afterwards for a dig in the pool after the big excavation!

In partnership with the Potawatomi Paddlers, we held out first ever Kayaking 101 class in the pool in 2022. Families joined kayaking instructors and learned the basics and safety for kayaking We held the class again in the summer of 2023 to great response

1850 River Road, Kankakee splashvalley com

Ice Valley Centre Ice Arena

Ice Valley Centre Ice Arena is a family fun zone as well as a competitive ice arena, featuring an NHL rink, Breakaway Café concessions, and four private party/meeting rooms

Ice Valley offers programming to advanced and beginning skaters alike, including; learn to skate, figure skating, intro to hockey, youth hockey, adult hockey, curling, public skating, drop-in hockey, and freestyle ice sessions.

As part of the three year project to replace old skates and add to Ice Valley Centre Ice Arena’s inventory of rental skates, 107 pairs of hockey and figure skates were purchased in August of 2022 A new brine pump and a compressor rebuild took place in the Compressor Room With a new corporate sponsorship from Nucor Steel of Kankakee, the Zamboni was rewrapped and board dividers were purchased.

With COVID restrictions being lifted, new skaters flocked to the arena for public skating, classes and events. The Learn to Skate program had over 150 skaters in classes and 62 people gave curling a try. Olivet Nazarene University had their ignagural Men’s Hockey season at the arena and the Little Blackhawks Learn to Play program returned The rink held several events throughout the year, including two ice shows, Winter Fest, Pancakes and Skating with the Easter Bunny and a Compete USA Competition

River Road Sports Complex

Located just south of Kankakee, KVPD's River Road Sports Complex is home to many seasonal events as well as youth/adult softball leagues and tournaments. With 6 full size fields, practice areas, full concession stand and abundant parking, we're proud to have invested in keeping local sports alive and well

The Park has been the recipient of the "NSA Outstanding Complex Award" from 1999 thru 2016 This national award is given to the parks that provide outstanding facilities for NSA tournaments! River Road Park has hosted over 60 state championships, 12 Super NIT's, 7 Super Regional's and 10 World Series.

In 2023, the Park was nominated and won the Nation Softball Association’s Hall of Fame award. The sports complex had to be nominated by at least three people to even be nominated The awards ceremony will take place in Lakeland, Florida in November of 2023

The River Run Sports Complex also saw the annual St. Patrick’s Beer 5K Run/Walk (in 15 degree weather!) in March of 2023 and Kite Day in April of 2023.

KVPD Rec Center

Located at 150 N Indiana Ave, in downtown Kankakee, the Rec Center offers a full gymnasium with open gym for youth, teens, adults and family time The Charlton Room seats 150 people banquet style or 200 people theater style and offers a full use kitchen This multipurpose room can be used for meetings, baby showers, wedding receptions, retirement parties, corporate events, seminars and so much more! The Rec Center hosts many rentals throughout the year, including soccer and basketball practices, acupuncture, fundraisers and more

With the rise in popularity in Pickleball, the Rec Center added two new indoor Pickleball courts in 2022 We saw 1,186 Pickleball players in 2022-2023 for our open Pickleball gym sessions We saw 132 rentals in the gym, class rooms and Charlton Room in 2022 and 2023 Several events were held at the Rec Center, including our holiday events Donuts with Santa and Santa Paws, as well as Whispers from Heaven with Missy Hart and Mug Making classes with Courtney Zimmerman

Revenue by Fund

IMRF Capital Liability

YOUR TAX DOLLARS

Based on our EAV for properties located in KVPD boundaries, we receive 62% of our revenue from taxes 38% of our revenue is created from recreation fees Our ultimate goal is funding to be 40% from property taxes and 60% from recreation fees. Based on a home equalized assessed value of 100,000.00 Property tax remains at 5% of your total tax bill.

Property Tax Received for Fiscal Year 2022-2023

Fiscal Year Comparison: Revenue

The chart displayed is a comparison from 2020-2021, 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 for revenue Please note the multiple closures due to COVID-19 Pandemic in 2020 and 2021 Splash Valley Aquatic Park also did not open in Fiscal Year 2020-2021 due to COVID-19 RMSC managed Splash Valley Aquatic Park for the Summer Season of 2021-2022 Fiscal Year and Ice Valley Centre Ice Arena from April 2021 to September 2021 affecting Fiscal Years 2020-2021 and 2021-2022.

Fiscal Year 2020-2021

Fiscal Year 2021-2022

Fiscal Year 2022-2023

Fiscal Year 2020-2021

Fiscal Year 2021-2022

Fiscal Year 2022-2023

Fiscal Year Comparison: Expenditures

The chart displayed is a comparison from 2020-2021, 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 for expenditures Please note the multiple closures due to COVID-19 Pandemic in 2020 and 2021 Splash Valley Aquatic Park also did not open in Fiscal Year 2020-2021 due to COVID-19 RMSC managed Splash Valley Aquatic Park for the Summer Season of 2021-2022 Fiscal Year and Ice Valley Centre Ice Arena from April 2021 to September 2021 affecting Fiscal Years 2020-2021 and 2021-2022.

Recreation

Fiscal Year 2020-2021

Fiscal Year 2021-2022

Fiscal Year 2022-2023

Recreation Comparison: Revenue

The chart displayed is a comparison from 2020-2021 , 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 for Recreation Revenue Please note the multiple closures due to COVID-19 Pandemic in 2020 and 2021. Splash Valley Aquatic Park also did not open in Fiscal Year 20202021 due to COVID-19 RMSC managed Splash Valley Aquatic Park for the Summer Season of 2021-2022 Fiscal Year and Ice Valley Centre Ice Arena from April 2021 to September 2021 affecting Fiscal Years 2020-2021 and 2021-2022

Revenue by Fund 2020-2021 2021-2022

Comparison: Expenditures

The chart displayed is a comparison from 2020-2021 , 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 for Recreation Expenditures Please note the multiple closures due to COVID-19 Pandemic in 2020 and 2021. Splash Valley Aquatic Park also did not open in Fiscal Year 2020-2021 due to COVID-19 RMSC managed Splash Valley Aquatic Park for the Summer Season of 20212022 Fiscal Year and Ice Valley Centre Ice Arena from April 2021 to September 2021 affecting Fiscal Years 2020-2021 and 2021-2022

Fiscal Year 2020-2021

Fiscal Year

Fiscal Year

2022-2023

UPCOMING

ARPA and Capital Projects

A capital project is a long-term, capital-intensive investment to build upon, add to, or improve a capital asset. The main capital programs are acquisition and development, facility rehabilitation, site improvements, and vehicles and equipment. The funding provided under ARPA provides a unique opportunity for state and local governments to make strategic investments in long-lived assets, rebuild reserves to enhance financial stability, and cover temporary operating shortfalls until economic conditions and operations normalize

Our Projects Upcoming

Bert Dear, Sr. Park Playground

Governor Small Memorial Park path

Old Fair Park soccer field

Old Fair Park walking path

Washington Park Court refurbish

WashingtonPark walkingpath

AlpinerPark walkingpath (asphalt)

CobbPark walkingpath

KensingtonPark walkingpath (asphalt)

PioneerPark walkingpath

In2023,theKankakeeValleyParkDistrictwillreceive fromSenatorSimsforBirdParkimprovements,including aplaygroundreplacementatBirdParkandfixingthe SplashPadand

$600,000

$550,000 fromSenatorSimsforMayorRJBaileyParkin SunRiverTerraceforimprovements,includinganew playground,fishingpier,updatingthepavilionand resurfacingthebasketballcourt.

Wedo RECREATION

Studies show that recreational opportunities and involvement increase a person’s physical health, self-esteem, improve concentration and learning, creativity and sense of accomplishment and well as relieving stress. With 33 parks, a Rec Center, Ice Arena and Water Park, Kankakee Valley Park District offers our community many ways to enjoy recreation. Through classes, programs, leagues and special events Kankakee Valley Park District strives to provide fun, safe, enriched filled opportunities. The below numbers reflect the

2022-2023 Fiscal Year

New Activites & Events in 2022-2023

Cinderella s Ball

Date Night in the Park

Once Upon a Song with Miss Phallon's Neighborhood

Rug Time Remix with Miss Phallon's Neighborhood

Baby Bounce, Babble & Shake with Miss Phallon's Neighborhood

Creative Writing for Kids

POUND Fitness

Vintage Crafters

Active Adults Bingo

Make A Planter and Make A Mug with Courtney Zimmerman

Dino Dig

Reels & Wheels Movie Night

Figure Skating Specialty Classes and Off Ice Classes

Family Kite Day

Breakfast and Skating with the Easter Bunny

Pickleball 101 Beginners Course

Tutus & Bowties Kids Consignment Sale

Royalty Camp

Toddler Tuesdays

Tree of Honor

Whispers From Heaven with Missy Hart

Super Hero Camp

Kayaking 101

Horsch Radish Senior Lunch

St Charles Paddlewheel River Road Trip

Hard Rock Casino Trip

Gabis Arboretum Senior Trip

On any given day, someone is positively affected through parks and recreation - whether they are taking a walk on a trail or fitness class at the community center, getting a nutritious meal or just reaping the benefits of clean air and water because of preserved open space

CONSERVATION

Parks and Recreation professionals are champions in addressing our most pressing environmental challenges; the parks and open spaces they manage maximize the benefits of nature to achieve positive and equitable health and economic impacts at the community level.

HEALTH & WELLNESS SOCIAL EQUALITY

Commit to Health; Healthy Aging in Parks; Mentoring in Parks and Rec

We must ensure that all people have access to these spaces, programs and services that remain essential to community vitality and serve as a key factor in advancing health equity, improving individual and community-level health outcomes, and enhancing quality of life

Our mission is to advance parks, recreation and environmental conservation efforts that enhance the equality of life for all people.

KVPD supports, endorses and aligns its services and events with NRPA - Three Pillars.

In May 2023, several staff members attended Parks Day at the Capital in Springfield. Every year, park districts from across Illinois head to Springfield for their annual Legislative Conference activities, including informational booths in the Capitol Rotunda, meetings with local legislators, educational sessions and panel discussions. The event is hosted by the Illinois Association of Park Districts Seen above is Lisa Krenkel (Superintendent of Recreation), Senator Patrick Joyce and Angie PaceTousignant (Marketing Manager/Director of Figure Skating) at the event, as well as Lisa, Angie and Dayna Heitz (Executive Director) at the KVPD booth.

2,529

Stats

Numbers of bottles of water sold in our facilities

900

523 Number of slow-pitch softball games played.

179

100 Lights were replaced throughout facilities.

798 80

Performances were made at our ice shows at Ice Valley Centre Ice Arena.

3 New playgrounds were installed.

Pickleball players took to the court at the KVPD Rec Center.

Guests joined us a night out at our first Date Night in the Park event.

Tons of mulch were laid in our parks.

Fish were stocked in the Bird Park Quarry

'22-'23 YEAR IN Review

2022

In June, members of CIRKA joined us p y q e season opening party Patrons braved the chilly evening to enjoy time at the pool. July’s weather was still not predictable as our 5th Annual Touch-A-Truck event found us in the middle of a storm! Executive Director Dayna Heitz waves goodbye to participants in the photo above as the torrential rain downpoured over the event at Bird Park. The ice began to heat up in August at Ice Valley Centre Ice Arena as Olivet Nazarene University's inaugural season began for their men's hockey team and the Summer Exhibition for the Learn to Skate program. It was all things pumpkin in September at our annual Pumpkin Palooza at Bird Park Over 180 children attended the event that included pumpkin decorating and a scavenger hunt throughout the park. KVPD went to the dogs in October for our Howl-O-Ween pup event at the River Run Dog Park. Pets and owners came decked out in their best Halloween costumes. We got our glow on at our annual Black Friday Glow Party in November at Ice Valley Centre Ice Arena. Over 150 skated the night away under the cosmic lights with glow sticks. In December, the Recreation Department held several holiday events, including Donuts with Santa and Santa Paws at the KVPD Rec Center, the annual Winter Ice Show, Cookies and Skating with Santa and our Kids New Year's Eve Bash at Ice Valley Centre Ice Arena as well as the Tree of Honor event at Bird Park. The tree lighting honored active military members, veterans and first responders. We were grateful to have Sergeant Tyler Bailey as our official tree lighter and Project Headspace and Timing Founder Eric Petersen as our speaker. We donated $150 in snack items to Adopt a Soldier and $250 to Project Headspace and Timing.

2023

We started out year out strong in January with Ice Valley Centre Ice Arena's annual Winter Fest event As part of U.S. Figure Skating National Skating Month, over 200 skaters celebrated the day with this Frozen themed event on and off the ice, including free lessons, a snow pit, pictures with Anna, Elsa and friends and a hot coca bar. January also brought our first ever Kids Consignment sale at the Civic Auditorium. In February, USA Hockey sponsored it's bi-annual "Try Hockey For Free" event at Ice Valley Centre Ice Arena 24 skaters took to the ice with staff and coaches from the Kankakee Coyotes and Kankakee Irish hockey teams to teach new skaters all about hockey Is was a cold and rainy March day for our annual St Patrick's Beer 5K Run/Walk, but the weather didn't keep the runners (and smiles!) away. Runners and walkers enjoyed beer along the Kankakee River trail from Brickstone Brewery and celebrated the end of the run with a feast from Jimmy Jo's. April brought warmer weather and spring events. We held a free Family Kite Day at the River Road Sports Complex and Pancakes and Skating with the Easter Bunny at

Ice Valley Centre Ice Arena By May, we were in full summer mode with our "A Night in New York" Spring Ice Show at Ice Valley Centre Ice Arena and the opening of Splash Valley Aquatic Park We held our kick off party in June with record breaking numbers, hitting capacity at this free event.

Marketing

Didyou know...

Facebook is the most-used platform by marketers worldwide (90%). Instagram sits in second place (79%) according to Sprout Social

Total Likes

13,063 Page Reach

261,592 Page Visits

174,638

Total Followers

1,315 Page Reach

24,097 Profile Visits

Subscribers 7

Watch Time 4 hours

Impressions

1,694

TheabovenumbersreflectthedatesofFiscalYear2022-2023,includingJune1,2022-May31,2023

FacebookanalyticsincludefourFacebookaccounts:KankakeeValleyParkDistrict,SplashValleyAquaticPark IceValleyCentreIceArenaandKVPDRecCenter

InstagramanalyticsincludethreeInstagramaccounts:KankakeeValleyParkDistrict,SplashValleyAquaticPark andIceValleyCentreIceArena

YouTubeanalyticsincludeoneYouTubeaccount:KankakeeValleyParkDistrict

1,400 Ratings

Nextdoor Hula Frog LinkedIn

Did you know four seasonal brochures are produced each Fiscal Year?!

4 Facility and Programming brochures created in the 2022-2023 Fiscal Year.

4 Specialty Brochures created in 2022-2023 Fiscal Year.

Hundreds of flyers and posters are created each year.