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!
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.
A Community Needs Assessment Survey for 2023 will hit homes in mid-May. We have partnered with the Carol Stream Public Library to include a print version of the park district survey in their mid-May newsletter along with a postage-paid return envelope. The survey will also be offered digitally by email, website, microsite, and social media. Look for it and share your thoughts about park district services and offerings.
Read the May Enews for more!
Thank you to all who came out to this groundbreaking event!
Present: Commissioners Powers, Bird, Gramann, Jaszka, Jeffery, and Commissioner Elect Witteck.
Staff: Executive Director Reuter, Deputy Director Rini, Directors Bachewicz, Hamilton, Superintendents Adamson, Quinn and Scumaci, Managers Kenny, Kucharski, Mondlock; Supervisors Chapman, Eidukas, Falco, Maxey, Executive Assistant Greninger, Parks Foreman Slanker and Intern Wascher.
The following from the state, county and village: Michael DeLazzer from Senator Lewis’ office; Representative Amy Grant; Representative Jennifer Sanalitro; Justin Burau from Representative Sanalitro’s office; DuPage County Commissioners Schwarze and Zay; Carol Stream Police Social Services Officers McNamara, Marina Hernandez and Budier; Village Engineer Greg Ulreich; Robert Ijams and Patty King from Wight & Company; and Mercy Housing Manager Mary Anselmo.
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
Monday, April 17, 6:00 pm
On behalf of the Carol Stream Park District Board of Commissioners and Staff, we are excited to invite you to join us for a Groundbreaking Ceremony to kick off the Community Park Renovation Project.
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!
Please share this news with your staff, friends and neighbors. All are welcome.
Click “Message from Jim Reuter” above to view video message about Walter Park.
We have some very exciting news! The Carol Stream Park District is a recipient of an Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) grant in the amount of $400,000 for the Walter Park renovation. The amount funds 50% of the renovations planned for the park, which will take place over two years, beginning in late summer of this year.
“Walter Park is an important asset to the neighborhood and is in need of improvements, and our Board and Staff are extremely pleased to have received this grant,” says Jim Reuter, Executive Director of the Carol Stream Park District. “We look forward to this park project, which affects numerous homes in the neighborhood; and the park is just off the Lies Road Trail, making it accessible to all residents.”
Gerald L. Walter Sr, the park’s namesake, was one of the first Park Board Commissioners. His tenure was from 1964 to 1973. Mr. Walter, who no longer lived in Carol Stream, passed away last month.
Back in May 2022, all Carol Stream residents and especially neighbors of Walter Park, located at 970 High Ridge Pass, were invited to a couple of Community Input Meetings. With Walter Park due for renovation, the Park District wanted resident feedback about what people would like to see at the park. At that time, architects and staff guided participants through some exercises to list the amenities they would like to see at the park, and then they were asked to prioritize or rate them. The kids were involved too!
Some of the suggested amenities include a baseball field with dugouts and bleachers, soccer field, playground with synthetic turf, outdoor pickleball court, bike rack, a quarter mile asphalt path, portable restroom and new parking lot.
Once the plans were being refined for Walter Park as a result of the community input meetings, the Carol Stream Park District Board of Commissioners approved a Resolution authorizing the application of an OSLAD Grant for improvements to Walter Park.
Supplementing park improvements through grant funding opportunities allows the District to update more parks, increase amenities, and enhance recreational opportunities for more residents.
Obtaining a government grant can be a difficult task. The application process is lengthy and extremely detailed. With the help of our Walter Park design architects, we wrote a convincing proposal and are very proud to have received this OSLAD grant.
Here is a clip of the press release from the Governor announcing the winners of this prestigious grant:
From Illinois State press release: Governor JB Pritzker along with state and local leaders and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today announced nearly $60 million in state grants are being awarded for 118 local park projects throughout Illinois to help communities acquire land and develop recreational opportunities. The grants represent the largest round of Open Space Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) grants in the 36-year history of the program, which was designed to help communities fund land acquisition and development for parks and outdoor recreation projects.
Read the release and the list of all park district recipients: https://www.illinois.gov/news/press-release.26122.html
March is “Burn” Month
3/2/2023 – Sometime over the next few weeks, the Park District is conducting prescribed burns of our native planting areas located at Tedrahn Pond (around the perimeter) and Evergreen Lakes. Prescribed fire is one tool in native area management. It is used to control weeds, recycle nutrients and to encourage stronger native plant growth.
Burns are carried out by a trained and equipped prescribed burn contractor. Burn permits are secured through the Illinois EPA upon review of a written burn plan specific to each site. The fire is contained around the perimeters of the prescribed burn areas by prior mowing, use of wet lines (spraying the vegetation along the edge with water) or back-burning.
The local fire department is notified prior to and upon completion of the prescribed burn on the day of the burn. The local fire company is not on site during a prescribed burn. They are notified in advance so if anyone calls in to say they see smoke the fire department is aware of the prescribed fire at the specified location.
Wind and smoke management are important considerations in any prescribed burn. An attempt is made by the burn contractor to minimize smoke drift whenever possible. Prairie fires usually burn very quickly and any smoke usually dissipates quickly. Heavy smoke is usually a result of landscape debris and leaves being dumped in the native areas.
Let’s chat about what’s becoming a serious topic – the shortage of referees and why.
This short, informative video from Good Morning America, entitled “Parenting Alert”, nails it. It addresses why youth sports is facing a referee shortage and the impact on kids.
