Issue link: https://pdop.uberflip.com/i/306414
3 Park District of Oak Park MISSION: In partnership with the community, we enrich lives by providing meaningful experiences through programs, parks and facilities. YOUR PARK DISTRICT BOARD Park Board Members Paul Aeschleman,Vice-President Paul.Aeschleman@pdop.org Jessica Bullock, President Jessica.Bullock@pdop.org David Wick, Commissioner David.Wick@pdop.org Sandy Lentz, Secretary Sandy.Lentz@pdop.org Victor Guarino, Treasurer Victor.Guarino@pdop.org It is with great enthusiasm and sincere appreciation that I invite you to celebrate the grand opening of the Ridgeland Common Recreation Complex on Saturday, June 14 from noon to 3:00pm. Join us for a Luau with free admission to the pool and ice arena from noon to 3pm. You will also be able to explore the many new amenities including three activity rooms, the wading pool featuring a penguin slide, the customer service kiosk and lobby area and of course, our brand new regulation-sized ice arena with new locker rooms, grandstand, and more. Ridgeland Common has been a treasured community resource for decades. The renovation of this facility has been a community-driven initiative since its inception in 2007. After numerous community meetings, attended by hundreds of passionate residents who love to skate and swim and exercise and play a variety of sports, followed by many community surveys to collect additional input, we finally arrived at a plan that was achievable. Since the plan was finalized in 2011, hundreds of people including architects, engineers, tradespeople and more have been diligently working with the Board and staff to make our plans become a reality. The Park Board is thrilled to be able to provide the residents of Oak Park with the new Ridgeland Common Recreation Complex and the many opportunities it will host for people of all ages to play, grow, and learn. Thank you for your participation in the planning process and for your patience while the pool and rink were closed for construction. It is time to celebrate this amazing facility that will be enjoyed by Oak Park residents for many generations to come. Speaking of Planning… You can impact the future of parks and recreation in your community. The Park District is in the process of developing a Comprehensive Master Plan which will give us a 10-year look into the future and plot a course of action. As part of the planning process, a community survey will be conducted in May to collect information about our residents' current and future parks and recreation needs. The survey will be conducted via U.S. postal service, telephone and email. If your household is one selected to participate in the survey, we hope you will accept the invitation. Listening to our community is imperative in setting a course for the future. We want to know how we are currently meeting your program and facility needs and what leisure opportunities you desire moving forward. The survey should take no more than 15 minutes to complete. For those who receive a mailed survey, a postage paid envelope will be provided. The survey will also be available online at pdop.org for residents who are not randomly chosen and would like to help us set a course for the future. Your opinion matters. Help us serve you better. Grant Award Phase II improvements to Maple Park will be completed in 2016 due, in part, to the Park District's recent receipt of a $400,000 OSLAD (Open Space Land Acquisition and Development) Grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Since 2007 the Park District has secured nearly $2.8 million dollars in OSLAD funds to improve Field, Longfellow, Mills, Taylor, and Lindberg Parks and Austin Gardens. Lindberg Park improvements will be completed later this year. (See page 5 for details.) OSLAD funds, which require a match from the Park District, will be used to construct an environmental learning center in Austin Gardens in 2015. OSLAD funding has has helped the Park District better serve the residents of Oak Park by providing us with the ability to expand the scope of individual park projects and to complete additional projects that were not within our budget. Enjoy Your Summer! Jessica Bullock, President Board of Park Commissioners Dear Residents, Pictures from the Grand Opening of the RCRC Turf Field on April 5!