On Saturday, November 15 one of our wonderful Park District volunteers, Jeff Bates organized 10 young men from a local Boy Scout Troop to assist him with removing invasive plant species in Armstrong Park. The Scouts were given a safety briefing and went on to spend four hours cutting invasive species out of a wooded area in the northeast portion of the park adjacent to the large shelter. The area was getting a bit overgrown, and our parks crew wanted to clear the invasive growth to promote the growth of native species in an attempt to beautify the area.
Park District volunteer, Jeff Bates, not only organized this entire day of volunteerism, but he worked the entire day as well. Volunteers like Jeff make a huge difference in our parks and community!
We are in the process of redoing our gym floors here at Simkus Recreation Center, and we have some UPDATES! The Gym is expected to reach completion late December 2025, earlier than expected. The new flooring has been installed and lines and logos have been painted. We begin the sealing process today – Nov 21.
Still to come…
– curing
– installation of new baseboards
– securing of bleachers
– thorough cleaning
– paint touch up
– installation of a low voltage air circulation system beneath the flooring to improve floor performance and foster longevity
We want to extend our sincere thanks and appreciation to School Districts 25, 87, and 93 for helping ensure that Park District sports and activities have a home while our gym is under renovation.
Thank you for your continued support and patience!
Congratulations to our Volunteer of the Month! Volunteers are essential to the success of the Park District!
Read about Jon Nelson
Congratulations to our Volunteer of the Month! Volunteers are essential to the success of the Park District!
The Carol Stream Park District proudly nominated its Intergovernmental Agreement with the Village of Carol Stream for the Illinois Association of Park Districts Best of the Best Gala in recognition of the collaborative efforts that transformed Community Park into a thriving, inclusive recreational hub. This project exemplifies the power of partnership, vision and shared commitment to serving residents.
Community Park’s origins trace back to its ownership by the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County and the Village of Carol Stream. In 1980, a cooperative agreement was formed among the Carol Stream, Wheaton, and Glen Ellyn Park Districts to jointly maintain the park and provide programming, as each district’s boundaries overlapped the site. This arrangement worked for many years, but by 2013 the cooperative dissolved.
The Carol Stream Park District continued minimal maintenance—mowing fields, setting up soccer nets—but the park fell into disrepair. To keep the site alive, the Park District launched community outreach efforts, inviting local students each summer to help clean up. Meanwhile, the Village worked behind the scenes to address parcel identification issues with the DuPage County Recorder. These early actions laid the foundation for a renewed vision of what Community Park could become.
Recognizing the need to restore and revitalize the site, the Park District and Village worked together to evaluate parcels most suitable for recreational use. Intergovernmental Agreements (IGAs) were crafted to facilitate the land transfer. The result was a seamless process that placed 17 acres of parkland under Park District ownership without requiring a lease or loan—saving taxpayer money and preserving the land for recreational use.
This acquisition fulfilled a long-term strategic goal: providing recreational amenities in the southeast quadrant of Carol Stream, a densely populated, low-income and underserved area. The neighborhood surrounding the park includes senior living facilities, multi-family housing and commercial development. The Village and Park District shared a vision to bring high-quality amenities to these residents and to create a gathering place that would strengthen community bonds.
In January 2022, the Park District secured a $1 million Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), matched with District funds, to fund redevelopment. Community involvement played a key role in shaping the master plan. A bilingual website, surveys, in-person and virtual meetings invited residents to share ideas for the park’s future.
The Village entered into an IGA with the Park District to expand wetlands adjacent to the site, improving stormwater management and allowing for additional recreational features including an extra soccer field and accessible community gardens. The Carol Stream Police Department advised on safety and visibility in the park, helping make the redeveloped space both welcoming and secure.
Construction began with a groundbreaking on April 17, 2023 and culminated in a ribbon-cutting on September 9, 2024. Community Park now boasts a wide range of amenities designed to serve residents of all ages and abilities, including:
To celebrate the park, in May 2025, the Park District partnered with the Village, Carol Stream Police Department, Public Library, Public Works, Fire Protection District, Community Outreach and local sponsors to host the inaugural “Kick-Off to Summer” event. The evening featured free activities, entertainment, and food for families, with strong turnout from residents of the surrounding neighborhoods. This event was so successful that it will become an annual tradition.
The Community Park project stands as a testament to what can be accomplished when local government agencies join forces with a common goal. The Village of Carol Stream’s donation of land, legal collaboration and stormwater partnership were instrumental in bringing this vision to life. The Carol Stream Park District’s leadership in planning, securing funding, and engaging residents made the redevelopment both responsive to community needs and financially responsible.
Today, Community Park is a thriving recreational centerpiece that reflects the shared values of the Village and Park District: inclusivity, sustainability and connection. The success of Community Park demonstrates how intergovernmental partnerships can leverage resources, reduce taxpayer burden, and maximize community benefit. Together, the Village of Carol Stream and the Park District turned Community Park into a well-used neighborhood space — a place for play, sports, gardening and family gatherings that reflects the strength of their partnership.
Over the past four budget cycles, the Carol Stream Park District has steadily invested in restoring and maintaining our native landscapes. This commitment—supported by both dedicated funding and in-house staff labor—has driven measurable improvements across parks and natural areas.
Our contractors and staff have made significant progress in controlling invasive species such as Phragmites, Ragweed, Cattails, and woody growth. Native grasses and wildflowers, including Goldenrod and Milkweed, are re-establishing, creating healthier ecosystems and more vibrant landscapes for residents to enjoy.
Site reports show visible progress: bio-swales at Carolshire Park are recovering, Veterans Park water edges are being stabilized, and woodlands at Slepicka Park and Jirsa Park are thriving after targeted treatments. At Evergreen Park and McCaslin/Coyote Crossing, controlled management has allowed dense native growth to reclaim areas once dominated by invasive plants.
The work is ongoing, but the results demonstrate the long-term value of consistent investment in native habitat. These restored spaces not only enhance aesthetics but also support biodiversity and stormwater management throughout the community.
Below are pictures from our hired contractor, Bedrock Earthscapes, showing some of the work we are doing at each site.
Carolshire Park
Carolshire bio swale is looking better at the west end, still mostly weeds at the east end. Treated for weeds.
Veterans Park
Veterans bridge water edges are showing some kill from previous visits. Spot treated again.
FVRC
Fountain View Recreation Center (around building) is in great shape with less Canada Thistle and more color near the employee parking end than last year.
Hampe Park
Hampe Park has come along; not so much tall Ragweed and more Goldenrod. Treated woody plants and tall Ragweed.
Jan Smith
Jan Smith lowland has multiple types of native grass, some Milkweed. Woodies mostly eliminated.
Bierman & Kent Parks
Pond perimeters have random mixes of plants somewhat weedy and woody. Recent woody cutting on the east side looked great. The entire perimeter was treated for woodies, Phragmites, Cattails, and other broadleaf weeds.
Slepicka Park
Slepicka Park has a nice looking woodland mix showing off. The outer sections along West Lies Road is cleaning up of woodies turning grass. Tall Ragweed and Phragmites were main treatment targets. The basin and open woodland patch of Phragmites are now controlled/gone.
Jirsa Park
Treated for Cattails and Phragmites around the open water. We were able to kill back to the water in several areas. Probably one more year to get all the way around killed off. Woody plants around the outer perimeter were also treated. Jirsa Park native area has cleaned up of some Teasel. Fall grasses and boneset are present.
Tedrahn Park
Tedrahn Pond perimeter was a random mix of Goldenrods and some Milkweed. Ragweed and Cattails treated.
Evergreen Park
The low north wetland is looking much better than two years ago. One small patch of remaining Willows was treated. Good grasses and forbs have filled in on all banks where it’s still being mowed. The entire perimeter was treated for broadleaf weeds. The west bank of the north pond was also treated for reed Canary Grass, Cattails, and woodies.
The southwest side of the south pond is still being mowed (left photo). In the right photo, you can see the difference between the west bank being mowed and how the east banks have recovered into dense native growth over the last few years with ongoing care and maintenance.
Fair Oaks West Basin
Tall and overtaking weeds were treated. If anything, Goldenrod will take over. Dumping was spotted along NW edge of basin.
McCaslin/Coyote Crossing
McCaslin Park basin is cleaning up drastically this season. Phragmites and Cattails along the water edge were treated, as well as woody plants and broadleaf weeds on the banks. The swale in front of Coyote Crossing was treated for buckthorn, Reed Canary Grass, Cattails, and Phragmites. We treated the west corner of the entry drive along North Avenue for Phragmites too.
Bark Park Garage
Bark Park is a diverse mix of good looking natives. The basin along the garage had remaining Cattails treated. The small native patch by the building parking lot has recovered well. Some woodies and Teasel were treated.
Congratulations to our Volunteer of the Month! Volunteers are essential to the success of the Park District!
Read about Jakub Grochal
Restoring Gretna Station 🚂
At Armstrong Park, a beloved piece of Carol Stream history is being revived thanks to community volunteer Jim Yanke. Built in 1895, Gretna Station once served as a busy railroad depot and is now being carefully restored to its 1950s-era appearance. Jim has crafted new wooden windows, rebuilt original signs, repaired siding, and sourced materials to keep the project authentic and cost-effective. His work is already transforming the depot, with plans to restore the adjacent caboose once the station is complete.
Follow Jim’s Facebook page for progress.
