Carol Stream Park District 2023 Year in Review

Dear Carol Stream Park District Residents!

Hello!

I’m Sue Rini, the new Executive Director for the Carol Stream Park District I’m happy and honored to fulfill this role and to continue to bring recreational opportunities to Carol Stream Park District residents.

This community means a great deal to me. In addition to working for the Park District for almost 24 years, my husband and I raised our family here We experienced first-hand the many benefits offered by the Park District and it’s always been a large and important part of our lives I know many of you can say the same

Carol Stream residents have an incredible sense of community, pride and acceptance. The Park District will continue to play an important role in this community. We strive to provide our residents with opportunities to create lasting memories, to develop friendships, to have fun, to enjoy the outdoors, to exercise, or to try new things.

In my role as Executive Director, I will continue to advance the mission, vision and values of the District, and to provide great recreational opportunities and services to you We have a fantastic team, a supportive Board, great governmental partners, and an incredible group of volunteers. We know from experience that working together we can accomplish great things.

The Park District emerged as a symbol of resilience and renewal in the aftermath of the pandemic Despite the challenges and setbacks faced during the preceding years, 2023 marked a turning point a year to remember for the Park District We have made a successful recovery and are very optimistic for our future as we move into 2024 fullforce! We are grateful to our community for the unwavering confidence and support given to us during the past couple of years.

Thank you for your patronage of the Park District, for letting us share in your lives, and for making this such a wonderful community. I believe we have a bright future ahead of us and I look forward to serving you.

Sue Rini Executive Director

Current Board photos as of March 12, 2024

The Park District Board, comprised of seven elected officials who serve voluntarily, oversee the district's parks, programs, and finances They attend regular board meetings, as well as committee meetings, foundation gatherings, and community events

Commissioners engage in the Illinois Association of Park Districts’ Board Development Program, advancing from Notable to Distinctive, culminating at Master Board Member level through continuing education Dan Bird, Brenda Gramann, Jacqueline Jeffery, Tim Powers, and Brian Sokolowski have achieved Master Board Member status, while Commissioner Anthony Del Preto holds the Notable Board Member ranking.

We welcomed our newest board member, Sara Witteck Sara was elected to the Park Board in the spring and was sworn in at the May board meeting She currently works as a Parks & Recreation professional for a neighboring park district, and previously worked as a Recreation Supervisor for the Carol Stream Park District for just over five years.

On November 13, Board President Jacqueline Jeffery presented Commissioner Dan Bird with a plaque commemorating his 20 years of service as a park board member. He was instrumental in gaining voter support for the 2010 Referendum which funded projects such as Fountain View Recreation Center, McCaslin Athletic Fields, Armstrong Park renovation, the Bark Park, Coral Cove Water Park Renovation, numerous playgrounds, Glenbard North High School Turf Field, multiple pathways throughout the District and the connection to the Great Western Trail – and that’s just to name a few!

The Park District Board and staff enjoy visiting several parks each year during the summer to engage with residents and foster community connections. The Board actively seeks feedback and perspectives on the parks and programs offered by the park district. Games for the families and a small refreshment is provided

Jacqueline Jeffery, President

DanBird, Commissioner Brian Sokolowski, Commissioner Brenda Gramann,Vice President

SaraWitteck, Commissioner TimPowers, Commissioner Anthony DelPreto, Commissioner

The Park District Board and staff work with local legislators on community events. On July 22, 2023, the community welcomed Representative Jennifer Sanalitro, who hosted a free shredding event at Bierman Park.

On April 17, several local legislators joined staff and the Board for the Community Park Groundbreaking event

The Board, staff and friends of the Park District bid adieu to Executive Director Jim Reuter. Jim announced his retirement effective July 21, 2023. With 38 years in Parks and Recreation, including nine years at Carol Stream, Jim's collaborative leadership steered numerous successes, notably navigating challenges during the pandemic. Under his guidance, the District secured $1.75M in grants and funding over $3.9M in capital improvements. Highlights include renovations to the Simkus Recreation Center, a new disc golf course at Horizon Park, and upgrades to Coral Cove Water Park. Jim's dedication extended to community projects like the Veterans Memorial Plaza.

t conducted a Community Needs Assessment survey to feedback on our programs and services, as well as their engagement and trails This survey informs us of evolving resident needs and guides rection. The results shape our Strategic and Master Plans, internal set goals, address challenges, and aligns with our Mission, Vision, and ese plans serve as blueprints for our programs, services, and facilities, volve to meet the community's changing needs. Go to out-Us/ or Click on this link to read the Survey Summary.

L-R: Commissioner Powers, Representative Sanalitro and Commissioner Jeffery

Park Board, Local Legislators, and County Officials at Community Park Groundbreaking 4/17/23

The Carol Stream Parks Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting public parks and recreation programs of the Carol Stream Park District. The Foundation is managed by a volunteer board of directors who live or work locally. Through generous donations, bike club membership fees and various fundraising events, the Foundation raised $29,235 in 2023 The money is used to support the District and Carol Stream projects that benefit the community

Kicking off 2023, the Foundation presented a generous donation of $3,000 toward the scholarship fund, which offers financial assistance to qualifying program participants

Spring brought the enrollment of 34 Foundation Bike Club members, whose registration fees generated $1,230. The Annual Foundation Duck Race returned to Coral Cove Water Park and raised $5,171 through sponsorships and duck entry sales.

Pickleball Tournament enrolled 14 teams generating $700 in participation fees.

We are fortunate to have dedicated community members contribute to the success of the Foundation. The Foundation Board Members are: Carol Floren (President), Donna Freeman (Vice President), Frank Parisi, Clem Malinowski, Todd Powell and Dana Hybl In 2023, we said farewell to longtime member Mike Ashby; we thank him for his contributions over the years and wish him well

Remembering Dave Creighton

We mourn the loss of Dave Creighton, a cherished member and former President of the Carol Stream Parks Foundation from 2017 to 2021 Dave's vibrant spirit shone through his dedication to events like the Duck Race, where his infectious enthusiasm was evident in his memorable "Release the Quackin!" kickoff. Beyond his Foundation involvement, Dave contributed to community projects like the Bike Club and the installation of the Foundation's first Bike Fix-It Station. He also lent his support to fundraising for Veterans Memorial Plaza, organizing events and concerts alongside a Village Trustee. Dave's impact resonates deeply within our community, and he will be greatly missed.

TrickorTreatTrail HolidayTreeLighting PickleballTournament

The Veterans Memorial Plaza is a beautiful gathering place for the community and the site of military services such as the observation of Memorial Day and Veterans Day The Veterans Memorial Plaza is supported by the community through generous donations and brick sales which are ongoing.

In 2023, the Veterans Memorial Plaza received some finishing touches. A new Veterans Memorial Plaza park sign was added to the plaza welcoming visitors as they turn into town center. Three new sets of replacement military flags, American flags and five POW flags were generously donated by the VFW of Carol Stream Post 10396 Six commemorative bricks were installed into the plaza in recognition of those who serve in the armed forces and to commemorate the retirement of park district Executive Director Jim Reuter

The District received the GFOA Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for 2022 This is the 23rd consecutive year we’ve received this award The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management

Thanks in part to a $1M Community Development Block Grant and a land donation from the Village, the Carol Stream Park District broke ground on a $2.16M renovation of Community Park in April. This 17+ acre park provides essential green spaces for leisure, exercise and community engagement. Renovations bring inclusive opportunities and amenities that enhance the quality of life for residents and contribute to the revitalization of the neighborhood.

The 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. The park is significant to the neighborhood and its accessibility off the Lies Road Trail. With community input guiding the project's direction, a playground, baseball field, soccer field, and pickleball court are planned. Construction crews began in early 2024 on construction, with completion in summer.

The Park District is a member of the Park District Risk Management Agency, a risk pool of park districts throughout the State of Illinois The District received a $1,500 award for meeting specific safety initiatives which work to ensure fun and safe places for our residents to enjoy

$24,500 in Grants from Mainstreet Organization of Realtors

Foundation Member Dana Hybl is a member of the Mainstreet Organization of Realtors and helped bring the Park District a $2,500 grant to help spruce up the entry to the Coral Cove Water Park. The Grant supported a new bench at the entrance, a giant beach chair, and some new landscaping. The perfect finishing touches for opening day!

The giving didn’t end there! Also through the generosity of Mainstreet, the small playground near the sand volleyball court at Armstrong Park is being replaced The Park District received a $22,000 grant to cover half of the cost to remove the old playground last October The new playground will be installed in the spring of 2024

Frank Parisi, Constituent of the Month

In December, State Representative Jennifer Sanalitro visited the Carol Stream Park District to honor long-time resident Frank Parisi, as “Constituent of the Month” for the Illinois 48th House District.

Executive Director Sue Rini nominated Frank Parisi, a non-elected member of the Carol Stream Parks Foundation, who has made a positive impact in the community over many years. As one of the founding members of the Foundation and former Foundation President, Frank has volunteered his time and service to raise money for the park district youth scholarship fund Also, as part of his work with the Foundation, he helped raise money to build the Veteran’s Memorial Plaza in Town Center. In his professional career, Frank was the lead architect on designing Fountain View Recreation Center, a building that has become one of the focal points of the Carol Stream community.

Representative Sanalitro presented Parisi with a certificate of award and words of commemoration. Frank was joined by his wife Lisa, and son Thomas Park Commissioner Tim Powers, and other Park District staff were present to congratulate Frank and thank him for his service

V O L U N T E E R S

In 2023, our volunteers devoted over 14,000 hours to support various programs, including youth sports, gymnastics, swim team, dance, theatre, and special events. Their commitment is invaluable to us, and we owe much of our success to their selfless contributions

The Carol Stream Park District recognized two remarkable individuals for their outstanding service by nominating Jon Nelson for Special Citizen of the Year and Jared Brown for Male Citizen of the Year Jon's expertise enhanced the Dolphins Swim Team, while Jared's coaching enriched tee ball, baseball, and soccer programs Their nominations highlight their dedication to positively impacting children in our community.

Furthermore, Jeff Bates volunteered 150 hours to the Parks Department, saving thousands in labor costs by removing invasive species along Klein Creek and in Red Hawk Park.

C O M M U N I T Y P A R T N E R S

The Park District partners with the Village of Carol Stream as Fountain View Recreation Center is the host building for the annual Holiday Tree Lighting The Village and Park District partnered on improvements at Memorial Park where the Village improved the creek shoreline and installed a beautiful pathway We also partnered on sharing storm water retention needs at Community Park so that more land could be dedicated to recreational activities. We are thankful for our partnership with the Carol Stream Police department who bring the Blue Scoops trailer to our 'Meet Us at the Park' events filled with ice cream treats! The District also partners with the Christmas Sharing community event, local food drives and the Rotary Club of Carol Stream annual coat drive.

We partner with Glenbard North High School annually by sharing sport fields and facilities. An intergovernmental agreement grants their swim team use of the indoor pool at Fountain View Recreation Center In partnership with Community Consolidated School District 93, we offer ActivKids Before and After School Program to all CCSD93 students, which is held in the schools We partner with Evergreen School by an intergovernmental agreement that provides gym space for students during the school day, and park district programming space after school and on weekends.

The Western DuPage Special Recreation Association (WDSRA) supports individuals with special needs. The Fountain View Recreation Center hosts the WDSRA Rec & Roll program which offers assistance with daily living skills and fun activities for adults. WDSRA provides Inclusion Services to children who need it to participate in park district programs.

The District partners with the DuPage Storm Water Commission at Armstrong Park where a large basin and pump station help reduce flooding to the area

The Carol Stream Fire District uses the indoor pool at Fountain View Recreation Center and Veterans Park Lake for rescue diving and training drills.

We partner with the Carol Stream Public Library to utilize land on Kuhn Road at Horizon Park. This otherwise unused parcel now houses a Disc Golf Course for use by our community.

We partner with Wayne Township to provide additional parking space for our large and popular Red Hawk Park.

We partner with the Village of Glendale Heights and exchange amenities so that Carol Stream residents can golf at Glendale Lakes Golf Course at their resident rates, and their residents can use our indoor pool at our resident rates

The ActivKids program provides both Before and After Care in the six CCSD93 schools for a convenient childcare option The 2022-2023 school year ended with 868 school-year registrations, which accounts for 261 individual participants The 2023-2024 school year had 820 school-year registrations through December, representing 211 individuals 1,650 daily flex passes were sold in 2023 Due to longer After Care hours on Mondays, a STEAM activity or craft was incorporated weekly. A

Days Off Club had 615 total registrations, including Before and After Care 17 dates were held on days that CCSD93 was not in session. Participants enjoyed a field trip, theme day, or special event each day, including swimming, gymnastics, movie day, and inflatables.

Adult day trips were held - 32, with a total of 674 participants. Popular destinations included cruises, casinos, baseball games, performances, and tours In addition, two overnight trips were held 28 participants traveled to Lancaster, Pennsylvania, in the spring and 38 participants visited Asheville, North Carolina in the fall Program Preview Day, a free special event with early access to register for the next season’s offerings, had 149 attendees between four events. A

The Dolphins Swim Team between summer and fall seasons had 194 swimmers Between private and group swim lessons we had 1,173 registrations There were 1,836 Coral Cove Water Park members and 23,845 daily passes sold Throughout the summer 41,121 visitors attended Coral Cove Water Park A

Awesome Adventure Camp had many full weeks again in 2023 Campers enjoyed field trips, special events, theme days, park visits, and three days of swimming at Coral Cove each week There were 2,669 total registrations, including Before and After Camp This program had 326 different individuals throughout the summer and an average of 146 campers per week.

New in 2023, Outdoor Adventure Camp was offered at McCaslin Park, with weekly field trips, mini golf, and swimming at Coral Cove Water Park. There were 702 total registrations, including Before and After Camp. This new program had 128 different individuals throughout the summer, with an average of 51 participants per week.

C O N C E S S I O N S

Concessions are sold at McCaslin Park, Coral Cove Water Park, and Fountain View Recreation Center. Popular items at McCaslin Park included grilled food with 10,578 sold, alcohol with 10,861 sold, pretzels with 3,691 sold and Home Run Blasts with 642 sold. Popular items at Coral Cove Water Park included the new Blue Wave signature drink with 2,212 sold, Mini Melts with 2,899 sold, pretzels with 2,820 sold, and pizza with 4,112 slices sold Coral Cove Water Park concessions revenue was a recordbreaking year This was the first year that specialty drinks were offered at McCaslin Park and Coral Cove

About 12,950 rounds were played in 2023 at Coyote Crossing Mini Golf Coyote Crossing hosted multiple special events theme nights including Showman Night, Foam Glow Golf Night, Friends Night, Pup & Putt and Jimmy Buffett Tribute Night The Coyote Hideout space allowed patrons to spend more time at the facility playing lawn games and enjoying concessions.

D A N C E

The dance program increased to 461 participants in 2023 from 432 in 2022

The competitive Forte Dance Company had 30 members between hip hop, ballet, jazz, junior jazz, and petite jazz Forte attended two competitions in the spring and earned multiple top 10s and several 1st place awards We also launched our new competitive poms program, the Storm, with eight squad members The Spring Dance Recital featured the Icons of Music theme, with 741 tickets sold The Holiday Dance Showcase told the story of The Nutcracker Reimagined, with 806 tickets sold Both events were held on stage at Glenbard North High School with two performances each.

Fountain View Fitness had a very successful 2023. The fitness center had over 150,000 visits, including members and 1,405 daily passes. Fountain View Fitness ended the fiscal year with 1,826 all-inclusive members, 336 corporate members, and 243 walking track members.

Fountain View Fitness saw a total of 876 personal training sessions sold, with the most popular package being our 8-pack with 29 packages sold

Group Fitness had as many as 70 weekly classes offered with options seven days a week. Class attendance approached 27,000 participants.

Monthly member challenges were held throughout the year with 1,059 registrations. The 500-Mile Challenge was the most popular, with 165 participants registered to walk, run or jog 500 miles by the end of the year. Forty people completed their 500 miles! The February Heart challenge, May The Fit Be With You, November Heart Challenge, and the December 12 Days of Fitmas challenge each had over 100 participants

G Y M N A S T I C S

Our gymnastics program had 1,834 participants between instructional classes, camps, open gym, and private lessons We relaunched the Grasshopper class to offer another skill level for four year olds The Springers Gymnastics Team had 60 competing gymnasts at the end of the year In the spring, we hosted a State Meet and our Springers took 1st place in the bronze level and 2nd place in the silver level, along with 10 individual State champs and two All-Around State champs. A number of new items were purchased for the gymnastics rooms, including training mats, preschool-specific equipment, and an uneven bar.

District’s adult gymnasts were featured on WGN News. Many of the nasts are former participants of the Springers Gymnastics Team, dating back heir youth. Reuniting after 30 years, they have named themselves the Super as. The gymnasts are refreshing old skills, rekindling friendships and having ast doing it.

The 2022-2023 school year had 145 preschoolers attend between nine classes, in addition to a mid-day extended care program. Preschool graduation was held at Fountain view with 80 graduates. Summer Preschool ran for nine weeks with a total of 70 participants. For the 2023-2024 school year, there were nine preschool classes and 131 participants In addition, mid-day extended care and a new afternoon extended care ran in the fall Four Learn With Me classes were held in 2023 with 29 total participants Fundraiser money was used to purchase an iPad for each preschool classroom this year

Teenie Weenie Play Time ran in the winter, spring and fall with a total of 181 participants. In March, Spring Break Mini Camps were held with 56 participants. A new Kiddie Camp was offered in summer twice a week with 108 participants. Early Childhood Series classes were offered beginning in the fall and had 38 participants for the season. For Teenie Weenie special events, Pumpkins & Munchkins and the New Year’s Eve Ball were held with many families in attendance

The multi-purpose rooms at Fountain View and Simkus Recreation Center hosted parties, receptions, showers, ceremonies and meetings in 2023

Approximately 133 rentals were held at our six park shelters.

The birthday party program celebrated 111 children’s birthdays at our various locations Both indoor and outdoor parties were popular, including Splashtastic pool parties at Coral Cove Water Park and Mini Golf parties

Approximately 35 group outings were hosted at Coral Cove Water Park, Coyote Crossing Mini Golf, gymnastics and Fountain View indoor pool.

S P E C I A L E V E N T S

Eleven community and family events were held, servicing 1,685 participants The Daughter Dances and Grinchmas returned. Other popular events included Flashlight Egg Hunt, Father’s Day Fishing Derby, Trick or Treat Trail and Polar Express, in addition to seasonal Teenie Weenie events for ages 1-8.

We are fortunate to have local businesses who give back to the community through sponsorships or donations. In 2023 we worked with over 50 businesses who gained valuable visibility, one-on-one interaction with participants, and extensive marketing reach in the community when sponsoring park district programs, events, sports teams and tournaments Generous donations and sponsorships keep our programs affordable and enhance events and programs The District received over $41,245 in sponsorships, and a retail value of $3,500 in donations, giveaways or in-kind trades

The Carol Stream Park District received a donation of $1,000 from Northwest Medicine to be used toward the renovation of Community Park.

S P O R T S

McCaslin Park, Armstrong Park, Red Hawk Park and Fountain View Recreation Center hosted 49 events including baseball, flag football, soccer, softball and volleyball tournaments.

Over 2,600 kids participated in basketball, baseball, dodgeball, soccer, softball and volleyball leagues Adult basketball, cup-in-hand kickball, floor hockey, pickleball, softball and volleyball leagues attracted the participation of 3,900 adults

T H E A T R E

The winter theatre production of Annie Jr had 105 participants, split into two casts In the summer, we launched a new production, Moana, which had 110 participants, also split into two casts. Both performances were held on stage at Glenbard North High School, with a total of 3,081 tickets sold between eight performances. A new small fall theatre production, Oz!, was added this year with 20 participants. Actors ages 10 through adult performed at Fountain View in front of 130 audience members. In addition, 11 theatre workshops were held, with 98 total participants.

Offering a diverse, equal, and inclusive environment is not only important for our employees, but also to the thousands of residents who use the Park District every year In our preschool program, students learned about a diverse array of holidays including Day of the Dead, Diwali, Hanukah, Kwanza, Ramadan, Eid, and Cinco de Mayo The instructors incorporated Spanish words, posters, and worksheets into the program along with a monthly story about diversity or inclusion.

New in 2023, swim lessons were held with a Spanish-speaking instructor. Coral Cove Water Park also opened early for a sensory hour, to provide a quieter, less crowded environment for visitors with disabilities.

Western DuPage Special Recreation provided inclusion services for just under 300 Park District program registrations. Approved for programs and memberships were 107 scholarship recipients, with $53,500 being awarded for the year.

WDSRA offers programming, direction, and support for patrons with special needs in relation to recreation This includes assistance to participants in Park District programs, adapt-a-sports, life skills, events, and fitness/well-being In 2023, 96 individuals were supported by WDSRA in Carol Stream Park District programs.

The District has installed seven communication boards at various playgrounds as well as Coral Cove Water Park to provide a mode of communication to both children and adults who have difficulty communicating due to learning disabilities, vision or hearing loss, or language barriers. Communication boards feature labeled cartoon icons that indicate park features, basic needs and emergencies. As parks are renovated, it is now a standard with the District that the park gets a communication board.

An article about the development and execution of the communication boards was published in Parks & Recreation Business magazine, entitled “Point To The Possibilities - Communication boards give children a voice at playgrounds”.

C O M M U N I T Y P A R K

The long awaited Community Park project is well underway and the official opening is set for summer of 2024. The newly constructed park site includes upgraded soccer fields, new walking trails, an updated bathroom facility, futsal court, new playground with zip line, sand volleyball and three new picnic shelters throughout the park, in addition to a community garden

M C C A S L I N T U R F

All four baseball/softball fields at McCaslin Park received new synthetic turf in the Fall of 2023. Additional upgrades on site include LED lighting and a new storage garage for concessions and maintenance. Staff is excited to welcome all softball and baseball players to this newly renovated regional showcase facility in the spring of 2024 The $540,000 capital project, supported by a grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, guarantees another decade of reliable play, rain or shine

M E M O R I A L P A R K

Memorial Park on Thunderbird Trail received a minor facelift with more to come in 2024 In conjunction with the Village of Carol Stream, a new pedestrian walking/biking trail was installed along the creek which cuts through Memorial Park The trail includes a retaining wall, decorative lighting, decorative railings along the creek for biker safety and updated landscaping Improvements will continue in 2024 with additional fencing, landscaping work, and a bike fix-it station

C O R A L C O V E W A T E R P A R K

Renovations at Coral Cove Water Park were completed in the Spring of 2023 Improvements included: new pool liners, re-surfacing of all waterslides, all pumps and filtration equipment replacement and new heaters for all pools. Additional improvements included landscaping and flooring in the pool offices and lobby.

Renovations and public perception were highlighted in an article published in Parks & Recreation Business magazine, entitled “What the Public Doesn’t See”.

With renovations done, the District planned an Opening Day with music, Zumba in the water, planned contests and activities New graphics and signage introduced Sammy Starfish and friends

Themed “Cheers to 10 Years!” Fountain View Recreation Center was officially 10 years old in September. The District welcomed patrons for a week’s worth of free fitness and free activities and challenges that awarded gift certificates and a daily raffle prize. Some days featured free concessions items such as smoothies, shaved ice, ice cream and frozen hot chocolate The week concluded with an indoor poolside movie

The overall operating revenues for the District are generated from two sources: taxes and earned revenues (fees, charges, interest). The target for the District is to maintain a 40/60 split on these two forms of revenue (excluding taxes collected for Bonds, and for Special Recreation purposes). We will refer to these taxes for the sake of reference as “Operational Taxes”.

In 2024, operational taxes will represent 35.9% of Overall Operating Revenue. As consumers returned to more pre-pandemic levels, the District was able to resume more programming and reduce its reliance on tax revenue to support operational costs