Congratulations to our Volunteer of the Month! Volunteers are essential to the success of the Park District!
Read about Sean Carter
Read the July Enews for more information about the highlights below and to see July’s special events, theme days and more!
🌞 July Enews Highlights
Unplug Illinois Day – July 12
Celebrate with 60+ agencies across Illinois by disconnecting from screens and enjoying local parks! Enjoy a Free Day of Fitness at Fountain View Fitness with $0 enrollment for new members.
Pool Safety Tip
Choose bright-colored swimsuits to help lifeguards spot swimmers more easily and improve safety.
Why Trails Aren’t Lit
Trails remain unlit for safety, policy and cost reasons. Parks are open dawn to dusk only.
Annual Duck Race – August 16
Adopt ducks for a chance to win prizes! Proceeds support the Youth Scholarship Program.
Now Hiring for Fall
Join the Park District! No resume needed. Meet staff and explore job opportunities at the next hiring event.
Bike Security Reminder
Lock bikes properly at facilities—watch our reel for tips to prevent bike theft.
Volunteer of the Month
Celebrating those who make a difference in our community!
Summer Fun & Fall Preview
Explore adult trips, sports programs, and mark your calendar for the Fall Guide release on July 23.
Congratulations to our Volunteer of the Month! Volunteers are essential to the success of the Park District!
In our June Enews, meet the newly elected Park Board Commissioners and dive into summer with updates from Coral Cove Water Park and Coyote Crossing Mini Golf. We highlight a Girl Scout collaboration at Armstrong Park’s Butterfly Garden, share the Volunteer Spotlight, and roll out a summer special for fitness members.
Also included are helpful reminders to lock up your bikes at our facilities—because bikes don’t just swim away! Please note: the Hampe Park skate park is temporarily closed due to vandalism.
Stay connected and enjoy the season with your Carol Stream Park District!
Congratulations to our Volunteer of the Month! Volunteers are essential to the success of the Park District!
CAROL STREAM, IL – On May 12, 2025, the Carol Stream Park District welcomed newly elected Park Board Commissioners Katie Becker and Jenn Pauling, and re-elected Commissioner Adam Parisi. Executive Director Sue Rini administered the Oath of Office during a regularly scheduled Board meeting. The District is proud to introduce the following commissioners and their backgrounds:
Katie Becker brings a strong foundation in horticulture and public service to the Park Board. A Carol Stream resident for seven years, she began her career as a horticulturist for the park district and now works in forestry and landscape maintenance for a public works department. Her professional experience offers a valuable perspective on environmental stewardship and facility upkeep. Katie is focused on improving native area maintenance, addressing long-term site solutions, and promoting affordability through grant funding. She also values transparency and community engagement, often connecting with residents through social media and public meetings.
Jenn Pauling has served the Carol Stream community for over 15 years through childcare, school involvement, and leadership on multiple youth sports boards. Her hands-on experience with local families gives her a strong understanding of community needs, particularly in youth programming. Jenn prioritizes expanding recreational access for all ages, improving operational efficiency through partnerships and innovation, and strengthening public trust through open communication. Her collaborative approach and commitment to community-driven leadership make her a strong addition to the Board.
Adam Parisi, re-elected for a four-year term, has served on the Park Board since May 2024 when he was appointed to fill a vacant seat. A Carol Stream resident for 13 years, Adam has a background in education and finance, currently serving as a Chief Financial Officer in a public school district. His leadership roles as a teacher, coach, and administrator inform his approach to strategic planning and fiscal responsibility. Adam is committed to expanding recreational opportunities, maintaining quality facilities, and ensuring transparency through collaborative governance. His continued service reflects a dedication to long-term community enrichment.
The Carol Stream Park District looks forward to the leadership and insight Commissioners Becker, Pauling, and Parisi bring to the Board. Their diverse backgrounds and shared commitment to community service support the District’s mission to enrich lives through outstanding recreational opportunities, responsible stewardship, and inclusive programming for all residents.
Carol Stream Park District to Honor Retiring Commissioners
Brenda Gramann and Brian Sokolowski, will be retiring from their positions as Park Board Commissioners. Their last meeting will be Monday, May 12. Each of these dedicated Commissioners have dedicated 24 years of outstanding volunteer service to the Park District and our community. On behalf of the staff, fellow Board Members and the entire Carol Stream Community, we thank Brenda and Brian for everything they have contributed to making Carol Stream such a wonderful place to live and play.
They became interested in serving on the Board when the District successfully passed a $12 million referendum in 2000, which provided critical funding for repairs, maintenance, and improvements to park district properties. Their leadership during the 2010 $37million referendum guided the building of Fountain View Recreation Center and McCaslin Park.
Brenda is a Master Board Member, and served as Board President for 7 years. Brian is also a Master Board Member, and served as Board President for 3 years. During their tenure, the Carol Stream Park District was recognized as a Distinguished Agency in 2007, 2013, and 2018 and won the prestigious National Gold Medal Award in 2002 and 2008. The Park District was a finalist for the National Gold Metal Award in 2001, 2002 and 2014.
In the last 24 years, multiple properties were acquired, developed or renovated, including the following parks: Armstrong, Bierman, Cambridge, Carolshire, Charger Court, Community, Friendship, Hampe, Horizon, Jirsa, Memorial, Papoose Tot Lot, Park on the Green, Red Hawk, Sundance, Shining Waters, Slepicka Homestead, Stonebridge, Tedrahn, Volunteer, Walter, and Weeks. Additional projects included the Glenbard North High School Turf Field, connection to the Great Western Trail, Bierman Lake Trail, Mitchell Lakes Trail, Pleasant Hill Trail, Maintenance facility, and renovations to Elk Trail Recreation Center, Coyote Crossing Mini Golf, Coral Cove Water Park, and Simkus Recreation Center.
Multiple grants were awarded, in excess of $7 million from PARC, CBDG, DCEO, OSLAD, IDNR, IL Clean Energy, DuPage County Clean Water, and DuPage Tourism. Partnerships were developed with the IDNR, IDOT, Forest Preserve of DuPage County, Village of Carol Stream, Village of Glendale Heights, Winfield, Wayne and Milton Townships, Carol Stream Public Library, Glenbard School District 87, Community Consolidated School District 93, Benjamin School District 25, School District U46, and Community Unit School District 200, which created cost savings and improved recreational amenities for residents.
Commissioners Gramann and Sokolowski encouraged strong financial management as evidenced by the District earning the GFOA Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting during the last 24 years and tax savings from refinancing debt at lower interest rates. In addition, they encouraged higher standards of park district services by increasing staff training opportunities, better equipped maintenance crews, planting more than 400 trees, enhancing accessibility and continuous program participation increases reflect their support of the Park District operations.
Congratulations to our Volunteer of the Month! Volunteers are essential to the success of the Park District!
Read about Kristen Derrico
The Carol Stream Park District is proud to share that Executive Director Sue Rini was recognized at the annual Women to Watch event held at the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield on April 22.
Hosted by State Representative Jennifer Sanalitro, this inspiring event celebrates emerging women leaders from across Illinois who are making a difference in their communities and professions. Sue was invited to join a distinguished group of women leaders, representing fields from marketing and science to park district management and local government.
We extend our sincere thanks to Representative Sanalitro for her invitation and continued support of the Carol Stream Park District. Congratulations to Sue for this well-deserved recognition — we are thrilled to see her leadership, passion, and dedication celebrated on such a meaningful platform!
#WomenToWatch #Leadership #CarolStreamParks #CommunityImpact #WomenInLeadership
Bike Fix-It Station to Dave Creighton. Dave was a passionate bike riding enthusiast and a valued member of the club from 2017 until his passing in 2023. Throughout his years with the club, Dave promoted bike safety, bike maintenance, and long-distance ride preparation. He also volunteered with an organization, working alongside high school students to refurbish dilapidated bicycles and donate them to families in need. 
Thank you to all who came out!
along local trails in DuPage and Kane Counties. Rides take place on the 2nd Thursday and 4th Saturday of each month from April through October. Membership fees are donated to the Parks Foundation. Sign up anytime at csparks.org! 
