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.
In remembrance of Theodore G. Callas, WWII Veteran.
Ted was an active member of Carol Stream’s VFW Post #10396 and integral part of the fundraising community that brought the Veterans Memorial Plaza at Town Center to fruition. The District is proud to have had Ted present for the building and unveiling of the Plaza. We were honored to have him raise the American Flag at the dedication.
Serving in the Army from 1943 to 1946, Ted was a medic/surgical technician with the 71st Evacuation Hospital that was attached to the 158th RCT (Regimental Combat Team), Bushmasters. The RCT was stationed in the Pacific Theater-Philippine Islands and Japan. A 1991 interview with Press Publications describes his time there. (See link below)
Ted was born in May 1923. He graduated Steinmetz High School (Chicago) in 1942 and was drafted to war. Back home, he married (the late) Ethel (nee Vrame) in 1947, and they were married for 63 years. Ted also served as the Steinmetz Alumni Governor in 1968. Ted leaves his legacy to his three children, seven grandchildren and one great grandchild, in addition to so many friends that loved him. He would have been 99 years this May.
It is our honor to share some memories of Ted. Look for his Memorial Brick in the Army section of the Veterans Memorial Plaza.
Read Ted’s 1991 Interview with Press Publications
(Note: this is an aged newspaper clipping, so quality of type is faded.)
The Carol Stream Park District Board of Commissioners and Staff honored long-time employee Anne Gerrick with a Resolution at the December 13 Board Meeting. After 21 years of service, Anne is retiring early January and moving to Arizona to be near family. Her park district friends will miss her positivity and diligent work efforts, but most of all, her kindness towards others. We wish Anne the best!
See photos from the Board Meeting
Resolution No. 21-08
A Resolution Honoring Anne Gerrick
WHEREAS, ANNE GERRICK has been employed by the Carol Stream Park District from 2000 to 2022; and
WHEREAS, during her service to the Carol Stream Park District, ANNE GERRICK has worked in increasing levels of responsibility within the Registration and Membership Department beginning in May of 2000 as a Registration Clerk. Her strong customer service and organizational skills soon led to her promotion in 2005 to a Registration and Customer Service Coordinator. Anne’s hard work and leadership skills lead to her promotion to Registration Services Team Supervisor in 2012. In 2016, Anne was promoted again to the position of Registration Services Manager and ActiveNet Software Administrator. In 2020, the Registration Services Team was combined with the Fitness Services Team, and Anne became the Manager of Registration and Membership Services. Anne’s collaborative leadership style, commitment to outstanding customer service, and dedication to her coworkers and community have been crucial to the District’s success.
WHEREAS, during her career, ANNE GERRICK was a key member of the ActiveNet Conversion Team which led the District’s conversion to a comprehensive registration software system, she has instituted multiple enhancements to improve our customers’ experience. During the 2019 COVID Pandemic, she worked with limited staff to maintain the District’s entire registration and customer service function.
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS that the CAROL STREAM PARK DISTRICT expresses its deepest appreciation for the outstanding contributions made by ANNE GERRICK during her more than twenty-one years of service to the Carol Stream Park District and Community as we wish her the best of luck in her well-earned retirement; and
Be it further resolved that the Secretary is directed to forward a copy of this Resolution to ANNE GERRICK and to record the adoption of this document in the official record of these proceedings.
PASSED AND APPROVED this 13th day of December, 2021.
Pictured from left to right: Commissioners Sokolowski, Jeffery, Jaszka, Gramann and Board President Tim Powers.
Four Park District Board Members were honored and received Certificates of Appreciation for their years of service at the Board Meeting November 8. Commissioners Gramann and Sokolowski received 20-year anniversary awards, and Commissioners Jeffery and Jaszka received 10-year anniversary awards. The awards were presented by Board President Tim Powers.
Park Board Commissioners set the policies that guide the Park District and understand the District’s mission, services, policies and programs, abide by the policies of the park district as well as all Federal and State statutes governing the operations of the park district. Board members receive no compensation for their time.
The years of service and dedication given by all our Board Members is a testament to their ongoing willingness to create initiatives that benefit the Carol Stream Park District community.
We will begin reconstruction on the Mitchell Lakes path in early September. A complete tear out, regrading, widening, and repaving is planned. The 0.95-mile path is widening to eight feet. Excessive slopes on the path will be eliminated to allow an individual with a mobility issue to easily move along the entire path.
The project will take approximately three weeks to complete. That includes removing the old path, framing a new base for the asphalt, and pouring the asphalt. Once this is done, there will be one week of restoring topsoil, seeding and blanketing the edges of the path.
The path will be done in two halves so that walkers will still have one half of the loop to walk on at all times.
There will be construction equipment and earth-moving equipment operating along the path while work is being done. We understand the path runs right behind many homes and will do our best to minimize interruption; however, we do ask for your patience and understanding.
The Carol Stream Park District is the recipient of a grant award from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources in the amount of $180,000 to renovate the Mitchell Lakes asphalt path. The grant covers 50% of the cost.
Current path to be reconstructed.
