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This November Enews brings you the following news:
Upcoming important dates:
11/15 – Winter guide goes online and registration is open
11/15 – Pay $0 Enrollment fee to join Fountain View Fitness Center as all-inclusive member
11/15 – 10% off Personal Training packages starting 11/15
Family Events – Sign up for holiday events such as Grinchmas and Teenie Weenie New Year’s Eve Ball.
Read the Enews: November 2023 Enews
Join our monthly Enews email list
On Monday, Oct 16, volunteer Jim Reuter (former Executive Director) came out to close the Purple Martin colony on Balog Island in Armstrong Park for the season. This required lowering the houses to a workable level and cleaning out the old nests, and closing the entrances. Migration begins mid-August, and the birds are gone. They migrate through North America down to South America each year.
Closing the entrances or “bird doors” prevents invasive birds, such as sparrows, from moving in before the Purple Martins migrate back. The sparrows kill young Purple Martin fledglings and their mothers. The Purple Martin birdhouses are designed apartment-style specifically for them and provide safety and protection from the elements, especially during the early summer nesting season. Purple Martin scouts usually arrive during the month of April, and by May the colony birds are paired off and setting up housekeeping. The months of June and July see much activity as eggs are laid, babies hatch and fledging begins.
You can find Balog Island at the west side of Armstrong Park.
Sue Rini, former Deputy Director, officially assumed the Executive Director position when Jim Reuter retired on July 21, 2023.
Sue has 24 years of park district experience. As Deputy Director, Sue oversaw Finance, Human Resources, Risk Management, Information Technology, Marketing, and Registration Services. She previously served as Carol Stream’s Director of Finance & Administration, Superintendent of Human Resources & Risk Management, and Recreation Supervisor. Before joining the park district, Sue worked in the private sector specializing in banking research and education.
Some of Sue’s accomplishments include consecutive GFOA Awards for Excellence in Financial Accounting since 2009, Distinguished Agency Accreditation since 2007, Gold Medal Award winner in 2002, 2008 and runner up in 2014, and a $37M referendum in 2010 enabling the construction of the Fountain View Recreation Center, McCaslin Sports Complex, multiple playground and recreational trail improvements. Sue has played a significant role in being awarded over $5.4M in grants.
Sue has served in a leadership capacity on numerous industry related advisory groups, committees and boards. She currently serves on the PDRMA Board of Directors and is an active member of the IPRA Accounting & Finance Section. She was also a speaker at various parks and recreation conference session, professional development and supervisor symposiums.
Sue lived in Carol Stream for twenty years to raise her family. She and her spouse George have three daughters and four grandchildren. Sue enjoys boating, water sports and spending time with family.
Northern Long-Eared Bats at Community Park
The northern long-eared bat is an endangered species native to the greater Midwest and Northeast. At the start of recent renovations at Community Park, the Carol Stream Park District learned that the park falls within the migration pattern for the northern long-eared bats. These bats often live inside of trees, and although their main cause of mortality is disease, another reason for their recent rapid decline in population is loss of habitat, often due to construction.
The Carol Stream Park District is the recipient of a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) through DuPage County to cover a portion of the Community Park improvements planned through input from the surrounding residents during the Master Planning Process. The grant requires that the land be inspected by DuPage County landscape engineers, trained to survey the land as well as identify wildlife. During the inspection, park district staff were notified that Community Park was a part of the northern long-eared bat migration pattern, nesting in trees during June and July. Work at the park was restricted until each tree that was slated for removal was carefully checked by the County’s landscape engineers. No bats were found in these particular trees. Thus, renovations continue to be on schedule.
The northern long-eared bat is an integral part of the ecosystem. They naturally regulate the insect population by preying on insects using echolocation. It’s safe to say, now that we know a little bit about these bats, that we are doing our best to keep them around. A large part of our efforts to encourage the survival of these bats is keeping trees (even some dead ones) in our parks! We hope to keep the northern long-eared bat in Community Park for many years to come!
Dog Vomit Fungus (and why it’s no big deal)
Recently there have been a few complaints of dog vomit around our parks, and we’re happy to inform you that it isn’t dog vomit – it’s dog vomit fungus. This slime mold is not so creatively named for its strong resemblance to dog vomit, but rest assured there is no need to blame your neighbor’s golden retriever – it is totally naturally occurring. The most important thing to know about dog vomit fungus is that it isn’t harmful to people, pets or wildlife (but it’s definitely gross looking).
Technically dog vomit fungus is a slime mold, and it is most often found in tree bark, wood and mulch especially in dark, moist areas – thus explaining why you might see it on the playground in mulch from time to time.
So now you know all about dog vomit fungus and why it’s no big deal.
So don’t blame me! 
On Friday, July 21, park district campers and staff bid adieu to Executive Director Jim Reuter, who officially retired at “2pm”.
This was the last of many farewells for Jim, but he doesn’t plan to be a stranger and we hope to see him back out in our offices and parks again soon!
Watch the “clapping ceremony” for Jim!
July is National Parks and Recreation Month. To celebrate, the Illinois Parks and Recreation Association (IPRA) is asking you to take a technology timeout for just one day – Saturday, July 15 – Unplug Illinois Day!
Unplug Illinois is a campaign created by the IPRA that encourages people to unplug from their electronic devices and plug into play, creativity, friendship, adventure and family.
This Saturday, July 15, ditch your phones and devices and unplug for the day! Take a walk, plan a picnic, ride a bike, play at a park. Enjoy the nature around you and fill your lungs with fresh air. Enjoy the day at Coral Cove Water Park, or play a round of mini golf at Coyote Crossing. How about a pickup game of kickball with friends?
Spending time outdoors can improve overall health and wellness. The outdoors offer many opportunities to be physically active. Whatever you enjoy doing outdoors, this day is for you.
So do it! Unplug for the day and enjoy the benefits! 😊
Jim Reuter is retiring July 21, 2023, after nine years as Executive Director at the Carol Stream Park District.
Accomplishments at Carol Stream include grant awards that helped support over $3.9 million worth of capital improvements. He was instrumental, working with local veterans and community members, in building the Town Center’s Veterans Memorial Plaza, a heartfelt collaborative three-year project.
Jim launched renovations to the Simkus Recreation Center, relocated the District’s preschool program there, built a new disc golf course, built a new pocket playground in an underserved area, and oversaw the $1.6 million renovation of mechanical systems at an aging Coral Cove Water Park.
Prior to Carol Stream, Jim served as Executive Director of Parks and Recreation for the Village of South Elgin for 18 years. He was program supervisor for the City of Elgin where he maintained facilities for the Elgin Sports Complex, and prior, a program supervisor for the Village of Oak Park.
When retired, Jim plans to continue his volunteer efforts as the Chairman of the Elgin Foundation, a member of the Elgin Recreation Board, and as a volunteer for Advocate Sherman Hospital. When he wants to “disconnect”, Jim plans to golf, ski, exercise, travel, and do yard work.
Sue Rini will become Executive Director at the Carol Stream Park District mid-July, 2023. Sue has 24 years of park district experience. As Deputy Director, Sue oversees Finance, Human Resources, Risk Management, Information Technology, Marketing, and Registration Services. She previously served as Carol Stream’s Director of Finance & Administration, Superintendent of Human Resources & Risk Management, and Recreation Supervisor. Before joining the park district, Sue worked in the private sector specializing in banking research and education.
Some of Sue’s accomplishments include consecutive GFOA Awards for Excellence in Financial Accounting since 2009, Distinguished Agency Accreditation since 2007, Gold Medal Award winner in 2002, 2008 and runner up in 2014, and a $37M referendum in 2010 enabling the construction of the Fountain View Recreation Center, McCaslin Sports Complex, multiple playground and recreational trail improvements. Sue has played a significant role in being awarded over $5.4M in grants.
Sue has served in a leadership capacity on numerous industry related advisory groups, committees and boards. She currently serves on the PDRMA Board of Directors and is an active member of the IPRA Accounting & Finance Section. She was also a speaker at various parks and recreation conference session, professional development and supervisor symposiums.
Carol Stream Park Board Commissioner Brian Sokolowski and Executive Director Jim Reuter spoke about the Community Park Renovation Project, how it’s been a vision for some time, how it’s going to increase accessibility to the neighborhood, and they spoke about some of the great features coming to the park that families will love.
This project is possible through a grant from the DuPage County Community Development Block Grant, a land donation from the Village of Carol Stream, and the District’s Park Board commitment to bringing recreational opportunities and space to this area of the community. We are excited to begin construction for a park that will be enjoyed for years to come!
See groundbreaking photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/csparkdistrict/albums/72177720307599361
See groundbreaking video: https://youtu.be/Q6JqW03twQM
See Pre-Renovation photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/csparkdistrict/albums/72177720307674096
The Carol Stream Park District is pleased to present this important survey to you.
This survey is a way of asking our families, residents and community members what they see as the most important needs of the park district community. Survey results help us identify targeted strategies and prioritize resources to guide future plans.
The survey should take 10-15 minutes. We appreciate your time to take it.
