Thea publication of the Bloomingdale Park District

NEWS

Mission StatementThe Mission of the Bloomingdale Park District is to efficiently and economically provide recreation programs, facilities and open spaces

designed to provide enjoyable leisure time experiences that benefit the community.

Happy Birthday to Us!

That refrain will be sung for the next several months as the Bloomingdale Park District celebrates 50 years of service to the residents of Bloomingdale, Roselle, Medinah and Addison.

The foresight shown by a handful of individuals in 1964 gave birth to 160+ acres of parkland, miles of trails, playgrounds, sports fields, an aquatic facility, a museum, a festival and concert facility, and a recreation center that has provided thousands of children and adults recreational and educational experiences that have, and will, last a lifetime.

Over those 50 years, the concept of recreation has changed dramatically. Having moved to Bloomingdale in 1973, I have witnessed most of those changes. In the early days, the thought of parents exercising while the kids practiced didn’t enter many minds. Today it is a common sight to see groups of parents walking the trails or attending an exercise class while sons or daughters are taking batting practice.

Throughout its history, the District’s commissioners, directors and employees have successfully stayed ahead of the trends rather than being left behind. This foresight culminated this past year in the opening of our first fully-accessible playground at Sunnyside Park, offering recreational opportunity to all abilities.

As we emerge from the worst economic crisis in our nation’s history since the Great Depression, many challenges still remain. Some are proactive and provide for the demands of tomorrow. But more so than in years past, funding those needs is much more challenging. Instead of raising taxes, many of our programs are partially funded by their participants. We have actively sought sponsors to absorb those extraordinary costs and have applied for and received grants whenever possible.

A recent study as has pointed out community parks (20-35 acres) can add up to 33% to residential real estate value., while the value of a home increases up to 20% when it is facing a well-maintained neighborhood park (10-15 acres) or open space recreation area. We pledge to continue the work that started 50 years ago that makes Bloomingdale such an attractive place to call home.

Elsewhere in this program guide, you can find events that commemorate our 50th Anniversary. Please consider this an invitation to one and all to join in the celebration. After all, recreation revolves around YOU!”

Also, visit www.bloomingdaleparks.org for a list of previous Bloomingdale Park Board Commissioners and executive directors. I offer my personal thanks to each of them for paving the pathway for us to follow. I am proud to have been a member of this board for 16 years and to have served as its president the past four. I urge you to thank each of those commissioners still with us and remember those whom have gone before us with gratitude for their service. I promise that the best is yet to come.

Sincerely yours,

Sebastian “Buzz” PuccioPresident Bloomingdale Park District Board of Commissioners

Summer 2014

The Board of Commissioners meets at 7 p.m. in the community room of the Johnston Recreation Center. The public is invited to attend. Minutes and agendas are available online at www.bloomingdaleparks.org.

Board of CommissionersBuzz Puccio ..........................................................PresidentKaren Johns ..................................................Vice PresidentAndre Burke .........................................................TreasurerMike Vogl .................................................... CommissionerMichael Childress ........................................ Commissioner

Buzz Puccio

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Through an agreement with Stratford Square Mall and the Bloomingdale Park District, the District began conducting some programs and classes at Stratford Square Mall late in 2013. The location is upstairs near Macy’s.

The room is 3,000 square feet of additional programming space. It includes a bathroom, check-in desk and security gate. Keep an eye out in this summer brochure for programs and classes offered at this new location.

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New Programming Location: Stratford Square Mall

Corporate Partners/Sponsors

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MOST VALUABLE VOLUNTEER NIGHT

August 5, 7-9PM@ Circle ParkMost Valuable Volunteer Night honors Bloomingdale’s outstanding volunteers from the community’s youth athletic organizations. It is held annually in conjunction with National Night Out. In addition to the free food and drink, Most Valuable Volunteer Night also offers raffles and performances by the winners of Bloomingdale’s Got Talent.

Parks FoundationBoard of Directors• Frank Saverino, Jr. – Chair• Jerry Marshall – Treasurer• Josh Hendricks – Secretary• Gerace Olson• Rick Tayfel• Erin Ducat• Ann Nebel• Michael Hovde, Jr.• Carrie Fullerton – Ex-Officio BPD Executive Director

Tina YarbroughBeamers

Christy MichalsYBA

Tony PaskonBarracudas

Bill MelchiorreBBSA

Diana PaskonBarracudas

Mike ErnstingBBSA

Dan YarbroughBeamers

Jeff LamzBSO

Jean BoeckenhauerBarracudas

Jeff DeanBSO

2013 Most Valuable Volunteer WinnersNot pictured is BAC Most Valuable Volunteer Tracy Caravello.

Parks FoundationBoard of Directors• Frank Saverino, Jr. – Chair• Jerry Marshall – Treasurer• Josh Hendricks – Secretary• Gerace Olson• Rick Tayfel• Erin Ducat• Ann Nebel• Michael Hovde, Jr.• Carrie Fullerton – Ex-Officio BPD Executive Director

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September 5, 2014 @ 6PMThe Sunset Shuffle returns! Runners spoke and the Bloomingdale Parks Foundation listened as its fifth annual 5K returns to Hilton Chicago/Indian Lakes Resort for a twilight run on crushed limestone paths behind Blackhawk

Trace Golf Club.

Presented by Sunrise Chevrolet, the Sunset Shuffle 5K is now a kick-off event for Bloomingdale’s 31st Annual Septemberfest. Following the 5K, Septemberfest may hold activities and/or entertainment. Visit www.villageofbloomingdale.org for more information.

Race features:• Racing bib with chip timer

• Digital clocks at Miles 1 & 2

• Goodie bag for all participants

• Moisture-wicking T-shirt

• Awards for top three finishers in each age category for men and women

• Plenty of parking!

• Proceeds from the run benefit the Bloomingdale Parks Foundation

• Sign up online at www.signmeup.com.