If you do not play the very traditional game of cricket, you may not know that the Carol Stream Park District’s McCaslin Park is home to a cricket field. The field is located just northeast of Coyote Crossing Mini Golf. The American Cricket Conference of players are often seen playing for hours on the field.
Just what is the game of cricket? It’s a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of eleven players on a field at the center of which is a 22-yard pitch with a wicket at each end, each comprising of two bails balanced on three stumps. One team takes a turn to bat a ball and score, while the other team will bowl and field the ball to restrict the other team from scoring. The main objective in cricket is to score as many runs as possible against the opponent. It is similar to baseball except it has different rules, terms and organization. (Credit: Google)
The park district typically aerates and overseeds the field annually and treats it with various weed control measures during the growing season. The park site currently has a clear dropoff in the field of about 18 inches, meaning from east to west there is an 18-inch change in the grade which isn’t conducive for competitive and safe game play. We plan to level the entire cricket field in April to make it a better overall player experience for the cricket leagues.
How are we doing this? Remember the renovation of the Bierman Park/Heritage Lakes trail early last fall? By the way it’s a beautiful trail now! Well the dirt we removed from the renovation of the trail was stockpiled at the southwest end of McCaslin Park, adjacent to the cricket field. If you drive down North Avenue often, you may recall seeing these dirt mounds. With the help of a contractor and in-house labor, the cricket field will be graded with this “recycled” dirt. Our parks staff will fine grade, removing rocks, and then seed the area.
We plan to start as soon as the weather breaks, anticipating mid April. The work will take a couple of weeks to complete, and then we can sit back and watch the grass grow. The cricket season begins in May. If you are interested in the game of cricket, contact Sohail Bari, President at the American Cricket Conference. Here’s is Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/231860493599819
Did you know that Carol Stream has been on the annual Monarch butterfly’s migration route of thousands of miles from Mexico to Canada? Did you also know that over the last three decades, the monarch butterfly population has decreased by more than 80%, designating the beautiful insect an endangered species? The decrease is due to climate variations and the use of herbicides in the US that kill the milkweeds essential for the butterfly’s reproduction.
What is Carol Stream Park District doing to save the monarch butterfly? At the Park Board of Commissioners meeting on December 12, the Board passed Resolution 22-05, authorizing the Executive Director to enhance and expand available habitat for monarch butterflies and other native pollinators with, but not limited to, the following actions:
Carol Stream Park District
Resolution No. 22-05
DuPage Monarch Project
A Resolution Authorizing the Executive Director to Enhance and Expand Available Habitat for Monarch Butterflies and other Native Pollinators.
WHEREAS, the Carol Stream Park District recognizes the importance of protecting open land and park space for the recreational use of Carol Stream residents; and
WHEREAS, a wet area located inside the large dog area at the Bark Park was transformed from turf grass to a Monarch Butterfly Weigh Station with additional native plantings; educational signage was added in 2019 and the area has received ongoing management; and
WHEREAS, the parking lot islands at the Simkus Recreation Center have been designated monarch butterfly weigh stations and subsequently planted with milkweed and signage was added in 2022 to denote the weigh stations; and
WHEREAS, Jan Smith Park continues to be the model of the District’s native areas by bringing together volunteers and District staff to create a well maintained showcase area for the residents of the District to enjoy; and
WHEREAS, a Natural Area Master Plan is being put together for Park District properties to guide the maintenance, construction and overall management of native areas; and
WHEREAS, many of the 4,000 species of native U.S. bees providing critical pollinating services to food, ornamental and wildflower species have experienced significant decline; and
WHEREAS, the Carol Stream Park District, located in northeastern Illinois, has long been on the annual monarch butterfly’s migration route of thousands of miles from Mexico to Canada and has provided monarch caterpillars with native milkweed species, their sole source of food; and
WHEREAS, Illinois designated the iconic monarch butterfly as the official state insect in 1975 as the result of lobbying by Illinois schoolchildren; and
WHEREAS, scientific studies point to the rapid decline of the monarch butterfly due to the loss of milkweed habitat needed for laying their eggs and for the caterpillars to eat, resulting from development, land management practices, and chemically-aided agriculture in the United States and Canada; and
WHEREAS, because the decimation of pollinators, including the eastern migrating monarch, which serves as an iconic species, has potential negative consequences for natural ecosystems as well as for human food production, in 2020, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service found that adding the monarch butterfly to the list of threatened and endangered species was warranted but precluded by work on higher-priority listing actions. With this decision, the monarch becomes a candidate for listing under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), and its status will be reviewed each year until it is no longer a candidate; and
WHEREAS, the Mid-America Conservation Strategy has identified a monarch habitat restoration target of an additional 1.3 billion stems of milkweed by 2038 which will sustain a resilient population size; and
WHEREAS, the Illinois Monarch Project developed a state-wide monarch conservation plan calling for 150 million new stems of milkweed, Illinois’ share of the Mid-America Conservation Strategy; and
WHEREAS, because there are many different species of milkweed in the U.S., it is important to recognize that only native milkweed is vital to the recovery and survival of the monarch butterfly in Illinois; and
WHEREAS, the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County, River Prairie Group of the Illinois Sierra Club, The Conservation Foundation, and Wild Ones of Greater DuPage, a native plant advocacy group, are collaborating as the DuPage Monarch Project to encourage communities to plant native milkweed and valuable nectar plants where appropriate;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF PARK COMMISSIONERS OF THE CAROL STREAM PARK DISTRICT, DuPage County, Illinois, as follows:
SECTION 1: The Recitals set forth above are incorporated herein and made a part of this Resolution as if set forth fully herein.
SECTION 2: The Board of Park Commissioners hereby authorizes the Executive Director to increase and improve available habitat for Monarch butterflies and other native pollinators with, but not limited to, the following actions:
SECTION 3: This Resolution shall be effective immediately upon its passage and approval by a majority of the Board of Commissioners.
Dated:
Board President of Carol Stream Park District
ATTEST:
Secretary of Carol Stream Park District
We are renovating Park on the Green, a neighborhood park located at 1N547 Bob O’ Link Drive in Winfield, which is in Carol Stream Park District boundaries.
Park on the Green construction is on pace with anticipated completion date of early November. An Oodle swing, low playground interactive panels and low level play opportunities like a connect-the-dots feature enable fully inclusive play for kids of all abilities.
Reconstruction of the Bierman Park-Heritage Lake Trail is complete!
Come to walk, run, skate, walk the dog, fish! Access points to the park/trail are at Bierman Park – 1253 Woodlake Drive; or enter at Kent Park – 955 Woodhill Dr.
Trail Completion photos 10-2-22
Reconstruction of the Bierman Park-Heritage Lake Trail is underway, and dependent on weather, be completed early November. Parks staff have trimmed trees around the trail and have relocated portable toilets and trash cans so paving equipment has clearance. A small section of fencing was removed. When complete the path will be a uniform eight-feet wide, and ready for our residents to enjoy! During construction the path is closed to expedite the reconstruction and keep everyone safe. You are welcome to use the park and not the trail, but asked to use caution during the trail construction. The District will post the reopening date on our website. Thank you for your patience!
See how the trail is progressing:
On Friday morning, Aug 12, 2022 a Little Library was installed for children and families of Carolshire Park, a pocket park within the Carolshire/Klein Creek neighborhood, built in Oct of 2019.
Representatives were present from Northwestern Medicine, the Carol Stream Rotary Club and the Carol Stream Park District – all sponsors of the Little Library.
Some of these photos have special effects.
Early Closure of Coral Cove Water Park, July 31, 2022
Water Parks, such as Coral Cove Water Park, have a general lifespan of operating systems. Generally outdoor water parks have a lifespan of 20 years. The water park at Simkus Recreation Center opened with the center in 1990. It had a “facelift” with new amenities in 2002 and was branded Coral Cove Water Park. The water park is currently 32 years old.
Extensive renovations and improvements need to be made in order to efficiently operate Coral Cove Water Park in 2023 and beyond. The construction bid process expanded over four months. The hired engineers and project managers, after assessing all mechanical systems of the water park, the length of restoration work, availability of materials and delays due to weather, have estimated the project construction timeline to start August 2022 and end just before May 2023.
Mechanical systems, such as the filtration and air handling systems, are over 30 years old and need to be replaced. The filtration systems include circulation pumps, strainers and system controllers, in addition to supply and exhaust vents, water heaters and water connections. Some of these improvements will require cement work.
The zero-depth pool gutter system needs structural repairs. New liners will be installed in the leisure/lap pool, slide plunge pool, dive pool and kiddie splash pad. Typically, a liner lasts ten years. Coral Cove Water Park main leisure/lap pool liner is 17 years old, well past its useful life.
The project engineers suggested to the Park District Board and staff to work through the 2022 summer season because of the duration of these renovations and improvements. The Park District Board voted unanimously to delay the project so that Coral Cove could open to patrons in 2022, but they had to agree on closing the water park early in order to begin the project and not be delayed for the 2023 season.
It was suggested on social media that we are just doing “behind-the-scenes” maintenance, and “why couldn’t we do this when the kids are back at school?” The decision of the Board and staff to close early was not an easy decision to make, but it was an important decision to make in order to keep Coral Cove Water Park open and operating efficiently for the next decade. What needs to be understood is if we can’t improve these mechanical systems at the water park and there is a major break down, the water park can close permanently. To build a new one would require a resident vote, and if favored, followed by two to three years for planning and construction. We do not want to see this scenario.
The Carol Stream Park District, as a good steward of the community, works hard to take care of what we have, so that we can continue to bring you nice facilities and programs to enjoy year-round. We look forward to improved operations at Coral Cove Water Park and a great 2023 season!
On May 6, 2022, Carol Stream Park District staff, friends and family of Kathy Earnest gathered to honor Kathy by dedicating the new playground at the Simkus Recreation Center to her. The event was planned on the playground but the rain brought us indoors. Kathy has been a teacher for the park district preschool program since 1990.
See the event here:
Facebook Live video link: https://fb.watch/cRhcQDmhkq/
YouTube video: https://youtu.be/knRBDFBTu64
Link to Photos uploaded to Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/csparkdistrict/albums/72177720298703138
We are inviting all Carol Stream residents and especially neighbors of Walter Park, located at 970 High Ridge Pass, to a Community Input Meeting. Walter Park is due for renovation, and we want to know what you want to see! Architects and staff will guide you through some exercises to list the amenities you would like at the park, and then you will be asked to prioritize or rate them. We want the kids involved too!
So join us on Wednesday, May 11, at 6:00 pm at Walter Park. We want to hear from you!
This meeting is important to the renovation planning of Walter Park. If you cannot make this meeting, feel free to send us your ideas and thoughts to info@csparks.org.
In case of rain, this Community Input Meeting will be moved to the Simkus Recreation Center, 849 W. Lies Rd.
The sale and subsequent renewals of each plate generate $25 for the PowerPlay! Beyond School Grant Program, which funds youth programs in park and recreation agencies throughout Illinois. The goal of the PowerPlay! program is to increase the number of opportunities designed to show youth the lifelong benefits of fitness, health and nutrition.
Click here to download the Park District Youth License Plate form. For more information contact IAPD at 217-523-4554 or iapd@ILparks.org.
Find Out if the Vanity and/or Personalized License Plate You Want is Available—Immediately!
Go to the Secretary of State’s Web site at http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/ to find out if the personalized and/or vanity plate you want is available.
If you have any questions regarding the Park District Youth License Plate, please call IAPD’s office at 217-523-4554.
