Dirt’s not flying yet, but there is a ton of action going on behind the scenes.

Since February 3, the park district board and staff have been hustling to get all the voter-approved referendum projects up and going. Right now, we have designs in various stages for the recreation center, dog park, three playgrounds, Armstrong Park, McCaslin Park; and, trail connections from O’Rahilly Park on Kuhn Road, under North avenue, through Red Hawk Park and over to the Great Western Trail of the Illinois Prairie Path.

At anytime you wish to know about where the projects are and where they are headed, just go to csparks.org/referendum. You’ll find an easy to read and understand of the progress and description of each project. Important dates and milestones are listed, and a map shows the location of the project, just in case you’re not sure.

We’d all like to see everything built and open next week, but it just doesn’t work that way. During all of the public input sessions, one message was clear. Residents want to see proper planning, careful preparation, and, “things done right”. That’s what’s going on as we have created a detailed and methodical approach to getting each park improvement “done right”.

With each project, we do our best to invite neighbors, local experts, and interested citizens to put in their two cents. There are many, many who have obliged and we want to thank each of them. Nothing helps more with a park or building design than having the end users contribute to the process. We are lucking in our Park District to have so many who are willing to take time from their busy lives to pitch in. Again, thanks to each of you!

While you are waiting to see all of the great things for the community’s park system, take time for a little recreation. Fall classes are starting soon, with many new activities and programs for adults, kids and families. Enjoy a few this fall.