Winter Newsletter 2023

WINTER 2023 Recreations

Franklin’s Frozen Holiday

By Anne Raucci, Skating School Director

The Franklin Park Ice Arena’s Holiday Recital is an annual tradition that kicks off the holiday season. This year’s recital, Franklin’s Frozen Holiday, was themed after the Disney movie Frozen. All of our performers dressed in costumes that were similar to characters from the popular film.

Our new Fusion Skating Club number was featured along with performances from two Starr Blade teams. We had appearances from guest skaters, 11 group numbers and 24 solos and trios.

The recital had 398 spectators on Saturday and 309 on Sunday. After Saturday evening’s show, Santa and Franklin the Penguin skated with everyone on the main ice. We thank everyone who attended the recital and wish you all a happy holiday season!

Honey, It’s Cold Outside

By Jen Costa, Parks Services Assistant

Ever wonder what happens to honeybees in the winter? Do they migrate south like birds? Do they die at the end of summer? Do they get rehomed indoors? The answer is they do not go anywhere and stay right in their hives. Honeybees begin preparing for winter throughout the year by storing honey. In early winter, the worker bees (females) kick out all the drone bees (males). The drones

are removed from the hive so there is more honey for the worker bees to survive. This is a necessary step for the hive to make it through the winter.

The Park District assists the honeybees to make the winter months more bearable. A wood chip box is placed on top of the hive to prevent moisture. If moisture gets into the hive it can freeze. Honeybees huddle in the center of the hive, creating heat that is about 98 degrees. A warm insulated koozie is placed around the hive to maintain the temperature.

Honeybees stay in the hive until temperatures reach above freezing. If the weather is warm enough, you might see a honeybee flying in early spring.

JANUARY

• Jersey Chytla represented Franklin Park Speed Skating in the U.S. Olympic Trials in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

• Staff participated in the One-Book-One-Leyden literacy initiative

• Franklin the Penguin made a surprise visit to Early Childhood Classes

• Leyden Youth Basketball League tipped off its season with 62 participants

• Energy efficient lights were replaced in North Park’s Sports Arena

FEBRUARY

• Staff participated in Wear Red Day for American Heart Month

• WGN visited Franklin Park Speed Skating’s practice

• Fusion Skating Club performed its Hairspray number at the 20th Annual Mardi Gras Team competition

• Preschool and Playschool took trips to the Ice Arena

• Starr Blades Synchronized Skating competed at the Tri-State Competition in Evansville, Indiana

MARCH

• Preschool and Playschool visited the Franklin Park Public Library

• Four Panthers Hockey teams won championships games

• The Sara V. Bolan Shamrock Showdown Women’s 4x4 Hockey Tournament returned after a 2 year hiatus

• The Park District was awarded an Earth Day in the Parks Grant

• Liz Visteen started as the new Superintendent of Recreation

APRIL

• New pathogen destroying fans were installed at facilities

• Tot School celebrated the end of the school year at North Park

• The Ice Arena hosted the annual Spring Fever Competition

• Families enjoyed breakfast and an egg hunt with the Easter Bunny at North Park

• Earth Day was welcomed with beautiful spring weather

• Joe Modrich retired after 38 years with the Park District of Franklin Park

What did you

MAY

• Dan LoCascio started his new role as Director of Parks & Recreation

• Newly renovated Timber and Hawthorne Parks had grand opening ceremonies

• Preschool Class of 2022 had its graduation at North Park

• The Ice Arena put on a spectacular Spring Ice Show

• PDRMA held a trailer safety training at North Park

• The Pool on Pacific opened for the season

JUNE

• Summer Camps started with plenty of activities and summer fun

• Elder Park hosted the first Park Party of the summer

• Brandon Niedziela began as the Ice Arena’s Hockey Director

• Discovery Day Camp assisted with preparing Discovery Park’s new pollinator garden

• The Summer Concert Series kicked off at North Park

JULY

• 150 pounds of honey was harvested from North Park’s rooftop beehives

• Street Dance returned to Franklin Avenue after a two year hiatus

• Nigel Burnett started as Athletics & Facility Manager

• Skating Campers participated in an in-house competition

If you are an active participant in Park District

It was a year full of entertainment, exercise, play and

Visit us at fpparks.org

AUGUST

• North Park’s Sports Arena hosted a taekwondo event

• Liz Strack started as Program & Aquatics Manager

• Franklin Park skaters placed fifth out of 57 teams competing at the ISI World Recreational Team Championships

• Roger May was awarded the prestigious Golden Guard Award from Jeff Ellis & Associates

S EPTEMBER

• After School Program assisted with jarring honey

• Seniors took a trip to Chicago’s Botanic Garden

• The Fire Department visited Preschool and Playschool during their fire drill

• Over 50 teens attended the first Teen Movie Night of the year

OCTOBER

• Rooftop honey went on sale to benefit the Parks Foundation of Franklin Park

• Fall Fest at North Park drew in a crowd of over 1,000 people

• Paver lines were replaced in facility parking lots

• Over 800 residents trick-or-treated around North Park’s walking path

• New music equipment was installed at Chestnut Park

NOVEMBER

• Panther Girls U14 won a hockey tournament in Ann Arbor, Michigan

• Leyden Youth Volleyball League started its season with 44 participants

• The Ice Arena hosted the Barrel Buster Speed Skating Competition

• The Community Center’s water service line was replaced

• Adults visited local breweries in Chicago’s Ravenswood neighborhood

• Fusion Skating Club made blankets to donate to UIC Children’s Hospital.

The Friday after Thanksgiving, Fusion Skating Club hosts an annual Blanket Making Day at the Ice Arena. Club members make warm, fleece blankets that are donated to UIC Children’s Hospital in honor of our friend Mason Orchard. The Orchard family runs the Pro Shop and is very active at the Ice Arena. Fusion held its first Blanket Making Day in January 2014 and then again in November 2014. This started as a way to support Mason and his friends at the hospital and became an annual tradition in his memory. About 40 blankets are made and collected by Fusion each year!

DECEMBER

• Santa came to town early for breakfast at North Park

• 240 participants experienced a magical train ride at Polar Express

• The Ice Arena’s Holiday Recital put hundreds of spectators in the holiday spirit

• James Park’s garden boxes were rebuilt as part of an Samson Lewerenz’s Eagle Scout project

• Staff held its annual holiday party at the Ice Arena