Summer 2008

Dear Neighbor:

Come out and play this summer!

With over 46 parks and facilities and 771 acres of owned and leased property meticulously maintained for the community’s use in both unstructured recreation and programmed events, the Glenview Park District takes great pride in serving the nearly 23,000 households who call us their own.

Most of our patrons will surely agree that summertime is one of the best times to be a Glenview Park District resident. Flick and Roosevelt outdoor pools, summer camps, free outdoor concerts, the July 4th celebration and special events at Wagner Farm and The Grove are all part of what makes summer special.

The park district has some exciting new events as well. The Glenview Park Golf Club kicks off a new monthly outdoor entertainment series, Friday Nite Live, on the clubhouse patio and the new Little Bearfoot in the Park, a free children’s entertainment series on Thursday mornings in July, is sure to bring great joy and laughs to your family. Are you looking for an athletic challenge? The Sprint Triathlon, now the Park Center Tri, is one of two signature Park Center Health and Fitness summer events held the last weekend of July.

For the 14th year in a row, the Glenview Park Golf Club plays host to the Glenview Youth Golf Championship, spotlighting up-and-coming young golfers. The Glenview Farmers Market launches its first full season at Wagner Farm, with a special kick-off celebration on June 21 to mark the 20th anniversary of this popular outdoor market. Our Park Services Department is putting the finishing touches on the newly renovated Crowley Park and Fieldhouse. Look for information on a dedication ceremony in June.

By the time you read this, outdoor pool season is mere weeks away. You still have time to enjoy all that summer sun at a discount! Through June 8, residents who purchase 2008 Outdoor Pool Memberships will pay less for a summer of fun at the pools.

The Board of Park Commissioners invites you and your family to join us at any and all of the events that match your calendar and interests. There’s even a special pull-out calendar included in the park district summer brochure that you can use as you plan your summer. Be sure to put the calendar in a handy place for quick reference (I’m putting mine on the fridge!)

May marks the end of my year as Park Board President, though I remain an active member of the Park Board. In reflection, I am especially proud of the commitment we have made to the environment. As a park district, we exist to provide recreational opportunities for our citizenry; we also have a commitment to serve as good stewards of the environment. Preserving open space while meeting the diverse needs of our park district patrons is a delicate balancing act. The Glenview Park District’s Strategic Plan serves as a roadmap to guide this initiative. The Master Plan for Phase II of Community Park West sets aside property to be preserved as wetlands and natural areas while developing additional property for active use and a new park district maintenance facility.

The Glenview Park District has also taken a lead in the preservation of the natural environment through its efforts at The Grove and at Air Station Prairie. Under the supervision of our full time Environmental Education Coordinator, Air Station Prairie now offers a growing curriculum of educational programs on the environment. As a result of successful negotiations with the Illinois Tollway Authority, a sound barrier to protect The Grove from Tollway noise pollution will be erected this year. The plan calls for a new berm of native prairie vegetation and oak trees to be planted along the western edge of The Grove at I-294. The park district will continue to work with the Natural Resource Commission and other entities to develop an updated inventory of natural areas and open space in Glenview.

As a park district, we are constantly looking for ways to improve our recycling efforts and incorporate resource-friendly amenities, native landscaping, and sustainable design into everything we do. To that end, we are conducting a series of training workshops to help us develop a district-wide Environmental Management System; several of the tasks are already being implemented. The 2008-09 budget also includes monies specifically earmarked for our environmental initiatives.

The Glenview Park District begins a new fiscal year with its May 22 meeting. I know that I can speak for the entire Park Board in saying that we look forward to a year marked by involvement, record progress, exciting activities and limitless opportunities.

Enjoy your summer in the parks!

Ted M. Przybylo