This 2018 event has passed. Thank you to all who participated and came out to see the Race!
(July 2) Link to the Carol Stream Parks Foundation Facebook album to see pictures from the race!
Families are invited to join the Carol Stream Parks Foundation’s third annual Duck Race fundraiser to be held on June 30, 2018, at 8:00 pm at Coral Cove Water Park, 849 W. Lies Road.
Hundreds of rubber ducks are dropped down the large tube slide in four heats. Each duck entry has three tries to place. The first duck to make it to the wall opposite the tube slide exit in each of three heats races in the fourth heat to determine grand, second and third place winners. The grand prize winner receives a Galena Getaway at Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa that includes lodging, golf and breakfast. The second place winner receives $250, and the third place winner receives a large pool inflatable.
Duck entries are $5 each. Purchasers may select the actual rubber duck entry. There are many colors and themes to choose from. Once the duck entry is selected, it is swapped out with a ticket carrying the duck’s number. The actual rubber duck entry goes into the “ready for the race” bin. There is no limit to the number of duck entries that can be purchased. Duck entries may be purchased at the Fountain View or Simkus Recreation Centers up until June 29. On the day of the race, June 30, entries may be purchased at Coral Cove Water Park.
The Carol Stream Parks Foundation has been running an entertaining Facebook campaign for several weeks that features pictures of rubber ducks traveling to various places as far as Australia. Other duck travels include Arizona, South Dakota, Utah, Wisconsin, Wyoming and Peoria, Illinois. Posts feature ducks at the Sydney Opera House (Australia), on cactus, on bridges, at a ball game, at a bowling alley, next to an iguana, and at places like Lake Michigan, Peoria’s riverfront, Wall Drug in South Dakota, Mt. Rushmore, and other places too numerous to name.
The Facebook campaign for the Duck Races took off last year when various members of the Foundation, Park District and Village photographed and videotaped themselves on a large duck inflatable at Coral Cove Water Park. Executive Director of the Carol Stream Park District, Jim Reuter, promoted the race while going down a waterslide with a GoPro recorder. Foundation board member Dave Creighton went around town in a duck suit, taking pictures with the Mayor of Carol Stream and other local officials and residents.
Proceeds from the Duck Races this year will be donated by the Carol Stream Parks Foundation to the park district scholarship program, which offers the opportunity for underprivileged children to participate in park district sports or other programs. The Carol Stream Parks Foundation is a 501(c)3 or nonprofit organization dedicated to developing additional financial support for public parks and recreation programs of the Carol Stream Park District.
See our “Duck(s) Travel” posts on our Facebook wall and our visitors wall
Mom Duck and Kid waiting to get into Coral Cove Water Park.
G’day mates! Fresh from a sellout performance at the Sydney Opera House we present international supergroup, The Ducks!
Ducks are coming from Australia and they’re training with Iguanas!
This duck got his training supplies for the Duck Race at the infamous Wall Drug in Wall, South Dakota!
Quite the climb for this road tripping duck to get to the top of the Cathedral Spires in Custer State Park, South Dakota.
Breathtaking! Should this be a postcard?
Peoria was good training ground for our Ducks this year!
Thirsty duck at the ballgame.
Fueling up at JT’s Corner Tap & Eatery in Carol Stream.
Did you know our Ducks are born in Cactus flowers in the Arizona desert? That’s what makes them so FAST!
Zoom in to see this little duck on the Big U at the University of Utah where he is studying strategies to win the race!
There’s been a bit of talk about coyotes around the Carol Stream area. Here is a great article about their history, acceptance of them, heading off conflicts, and living with them.
The Parent Guide News lists 6 benefits of summer camp:
The “6 SUMMER CAMP BENEFITS You May Not Know”, by Jess Michaels, further explains these benefits, all of which your child can gain from our Awesome Adventure Camp!
We are excited to now offer our full-day Awesome Adventure Camp to kids entering Kindergarten! (Must be 5 years old by May 30, 2018) Summer camp, before camp, after camp and hot lunch are options available to kids entering grades K-6. Parents, get early bird price discount on all weeks if registered by May 15. Don’t want to send your kid all week? A daily flex pass is also available.
Theme days, special events, field trips and three days of swimming each week keep kids excited about the camp experience all summer long. Parents can head to work knowing kids are safe and having fun. A summer win-win for all!
See the Summer Calendar of activities and field trips, lunch menu and more!
View the results of our 2017 Needs Assessment Survey. Browse our 2018 Strategic and Master Plans. We are pleased to provide these documents that guide our future operations and staff.
The Carol Stream Park District conducted a Community Needs Assessment Survey in 2008 that initiated the 2010 referendum, and ultimately brought us the Fountain View Recreation and Fitness Center, McCaslin Park Sports Complex, the Bark Park, and numerous improvements and updates to park district facilities, playgrounds, parks and trails. From that needs assessment, the findings helped in the development and implementation of a comprehensive master plan (community driven) and strategic plan (Board and staff driven). Park District Board and staff used those plans to develop a roadmap that has served the community over the last seven years. With most, if not all, projects complete, we enter a new era of vision, organization, operations, partnerships and community.
READ: Needs Assessment Survey, Strategic and Master Plans
This is a nice article featuring Slepicka Park: “Lucky Find – Numbers Represent the Past, but Parks Connect You to People”, published by Jarrod Scheunemann 12/20/17.
http://wearecampfireconcepts.com/2017/12/20/lucky-find-slepicka-homestead-park/
The employees of the Village of Carol Stream waged a Penny War amongst departments to see who could raise the most money for the Veterans Memorial Renovation Project. The employees raised $1,375.78 overall, and on November 9, 2017, Barb Wydra (Accounting Manager) and Linda Johansen (Secretary-Engineering) delivered the donation to Veteran Jim Benzin, Commander of VFW Post #10396.
Here’s what the Village departments raised:
| Department | Pennies | Silver Coins | Total Raised |
| Administration, Building Maintenance & Clerk | $57.24 | $189.10 | $246.34 |
| Community Development | $18.60 | $141.40 | $160.00 |
| Employee Relations, GIS, IT | $20.62 | $151.11 | $171.73 |
| Engineering | $55.29 | $208.66 | $263.95 |
| Finance | $93.61 | $83.10 | $176.71 |
| Police | $14.16 | $131.30 | $145.46 |
| Public Works | $29.89 | $181.70 | $211.59 |
| Total amount raised | $289.41 | $1086.37 | $1375.78 |
Commissioner Brian Sokolowski commends this great community – its residents, volunteers, partners – in making this a great park district. He also gives a snapshot of some of the planning the district is doing to maintain a positive direction and improve processes moving forward.
The Memorial Park Task Force, in partnership with Carol Stream Mayor Frank Saverino, the Village of Carol Stream and the Carol Stream Park District, have agreed with the suggestion that the new memorial outlined for the Memorial Park renovation project, also referred to as Veterans Memorial, be constructed at Carol Stream’s Ross Ferraro Town Center, located at the corner of Gary Avenue and Lies Road, Carol Stream.
Carol Stream’s Memorial Park, located at 342 Thunderbird Trail, is scheduled for a renovation to further honor the community’s brave individuals and stand as a tribute for years to come. Fundraising efforts for the renovation have been ongoing since Memorial Day 2016 with the goal to raise $200,000. Plans include an improved walkway, small shelter, new landscaping, lighting and various decorative features.
“The significance of this Veterans Memorial reconstruction, and ultimately a beautiful plaza memorial when completed,” says Mayor Saverino, “should be at the forefront of this Village. The town center is a popular gathering place for our residents and their families, who come to listen to live music, to attend special events, or to just enjoy the fountain and scenery. The new memorial will be seen by hundreds who come to visit weekly.”
Moving the project to the more accessible and visible town center, which already has a brick plaza, electricity, flag poles and parking, will enhance the attributes of the property, named after the former mayor, Ross Ferraro. An architect has been on site and new drawings are expected soon. “With the existing plaza in place, we may be able to decrease construction costs and arrive at our goal sooner,” says partner Carol Stream Park District Executive Director Jim Reuter.
To further along fundraising efforts, Mayor Saverino is holding an Open House Fundraiser on Thursday, August 24, from 4 to 8 pm at the Carol Stream Holiday Inn. Everyone is invited to stop by and make a donation and enjoy light appetizers, cash bar, fun raffles and music.
Other upcoming fundraising events, coordinated by the Park District and the Memorial Park Task Force, include Joe Cotton Ford’s Drive 4UR Community on August 5 at McCaslin Park, a concert featuring Prairie Station on August 19 at the Town Center, the Fall 5K Stars & Stripes Shuffle on October 1, starting at Armstrong Park and the Stars & Stripes Softball adult tournament on October 7, also at Armstrong Park.
The Memorial Park Task Force includes members from the Carol Stream VFW, American Legion, Village, Park District, Chamber of Commerce, and volunteers.
To make a charitable contribution to the enhancements and beautification of Veterans Memorial, send your tax deductible donation to the Carol Stream Parks Foundation, a 501(c)3 charitable organization.
Carol Stream Parks Foundation
c/o 849 W. Lies Road, Carol Stream, IL 60188
info@csparksfoundation.org
You may also make an online donation at GO FUND ME.
UPDATE – AND THE RACE WENT ON! June 21, 2017 – 8pm
Congratulations to our Lucky Ducky winners!
Grand Prize – The Shimek Family, Raegan Shimek – enjoy your Weekend Getaway to Eagle Ridge Resort in Galena!
2nd Place – Chantalle Porter-Phillips – $250 Cash!
3rd Place – Brenda Bird Gramann – inflatable duck. Brenda auctioned off the duck to raise more money for the Veterans Memorial Park renovation project, and to the joy of son Colton Miller, Mom Heather donated $45-50 to get the duck! Thanks Heather and Brenda!
Link to the Carol Stream Parks Foundation Facebook page to view photo album videos!
————————————-
UPDATE – THE RACE IS BACK ON!
The Duck Race has been rescheduled to this Wednesday, June 21, at 8pm, Coral Cove Water Park.
The purchase of duck entries has been extended until just prior to the event at the water park.
—————————————-
Join our wacky Executive Director Jim Reuter and get your Duck Entry for only $5 to participate in the Duck Races at Coral Cove Water Park, 8pm Saturday, June 17. Grand prize is Galena at Eagle Ridge Resort Golf & Spa getaway! Get you duck entries at Fountain View or Simkus Recreation Centers, and Coral Cove Water Park today! Proceeds benefit the Veterans Memorial Renovation Project. Find out more about the project at https://www.gofundme.com/veterans-memorial-at-memorial-park
In an effort to distract the geese and stabilize/naturalize the shoreline at Veteran’s Park, we’ve restored the shoreline at the “channel” of the park. This project sets the example of what some of the other shorelines might look like. It discourages the geese and acts as a buffer to improve water quality along this corridor. Eventually it will become appealing with a variety of plants and flowers that will attract butterflies and birds.
