Ground Broken for Community Park West Phase II Development

GLENVIEW, IL, Saturday, May 10, 2008 – With shovels in hand, the Glenview Park District Park Board of Commissioners broke ground today on the next phase of development of the 95.5 acre property known as Community Park West, 1001 Zenith Drive.

State and local officials including State Representative Elaine Nekritz and Glenview Village President Kerry Cummings, along with representatives from Glenview Youth Baseball, D.O.G. (Dog Owners of Glenview) and their dogs, and community members who provided design input for the park, kicked-off the construction work with a groundbreaking ceremony at the site of the new development located just east of I-294 off Milwaukee Ave.

For more than a year and a half, Glenview Park District commissioners and staff, local youth sports groups, dog park proponents and hundreds of community members have been participating in a design process that included 13 public meetings to seek ideas, input and suggestions for the 35 undeveloped acres. That community process resulted in a Master Plan for the site prepared by the engineering firm of Gewalt Hamilton Associates, Inc., park design and landscape architects 3D Design Studio and Altamanu, a design firm with expertise in dog park development. The plan was presented to the public in April 2007 and then further refined before being approved by the Glenview Park Board last May. Construction will be headed up by V3 Construction Co.

“Our community input process has produced a gem of a plan for the next phase of expansion at Community Park West,” said Glenview Park District Executive Director Chuck Balling. “Together with our consultants, our staff and our community partners have designed a park that is unique in both its beauty and purpose, with multiple passive and active recreational uses and natural areas which will enhance the community’s quality of life. We are proud of what they have done and delighted to begin this next phase.”

The $4 million Phase II development will feature a four ball diamond pinwheel with a shelter, a dog park, a new playground area with equipment for toddlers and school age children, pathways, trails, wetlands and natural areas and a permanent game court area for bocce ball, Baggo and horseshoes. The project is jointly funded through a $700,000 donation by Glenview Youth Baseball and a $400,000 State of Illinois Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development program grant. Other funding will come from the Glenview Park District’s Farm and Fields Development Fund, TIF monies, developer donations and bond sale proceeds.

The process of creating Community Park West began more than a decade ago when Glenview park district voters approved a tax increase to purchase two very distinct properties for two very different uses. The 1998 “Farm and Fields” referendum paved the way for the initial acquisition of 38 acres of land owned by Town & Country Properties on the western edge of Glenview for much needed sports fields. This property was developed into the existing Community Park West and opened to the public in 2002. It also led to the purchase of the 18.2 acre farmstead known as Wagner Farm.

Community Park West is one of the most popular and heavily-used parks in the park district and is considered the sports field hub of Glenview. The park is a busy site from dawn to well past nightfall with five lighted softball fields, a lighted skate park, one full size basketball court and one half court, five soccer fields and 1.5 miles of paved walking paths where leashed dog walking is permitted. Community Park West is home to youth and adult softball and soccer leagues, and hosts the Glenview Titan Girls Fastpitch Thunderbolt Classic Tournament and the Glenview Youth Baseball Tournament on Memorial Day Weekend. Community Park West welcomes between 200 and 400 visitors each weekday. Nearly 1,000 people use the park on Saturdays and Sundays during the busiest seasons in the summer and fall.

“It is fitting that we should break ground on the next phase of Community Park West during the 10 th anniversary year of the passage of the Farm and Fields referendum,” said Park Board President Ted Przybylo. “I appreciate our residents’ foresight to preserve this land and their commitment to developing it for future generations to enjoy,” he said.

The construction schedule calls for the natural areas, playgrounds, game court area and dog park to be completed in 2009. The baseball diamond pinwheel area will be ready for play in spring 2010. Plans for the development of the remaining 22.5 acres of Community Park West have not been finalized but are likely to include an additional park district maintenance facility.

Glenview Park Stars Take First Place at Navy Pier Cheer Competition

GLENVIEW, IL, Friday, April 18, 2008 –
The Glenview Park Stars Cheerleading Squad took first place in their division at the AmeriCheer and AmeriDance Great Lakes Open National Championship held at Chicago’s Navy Pier on Saturday, April 5.

This is the fifth year the Park Stars have competed in the event which draws teams from all over the nation, and their fourth straight win.

The Glenview Park Stars Cheerleading Squad is a competitive team for girls ages 8-14 and is run by the Glenview Park District. Members include Sarah Odeshoo, Lauren Yep, Allie Steffen, Rachel Orsinger, Kasey Ockerlund, Kristen Bagley, Nicolette Tantillo, Samantha Kopely, Sarah Glavin, Jamie Bendewald, Mariana Matias, Caroline McCarthy, Christina Pappas, Julia Yep and Katerina Pyroulis. The squad is coached by Jen Filson of Dance Plus Productions.

The Smiths are fitting representatives for this year’s parade theme, “Home Town Heroes,” which celebrates individuals who make Glenview such a wonderful place to live. Samantha and Tom have both worked tirelessly volunteering their time and talents to make a lasting contribution to the Glenview community. Among her numerous contributions, for nearly a quarter of a century, Samantha Smith has organized a women’s holiday luncheon at The Cafe at the Glenview Park Golf Club to raise money for Glenview Youth Services and other local charities. She founded “Helping Hands of Glenview” more than 20 years ago to provide elderly and disabled residents with transportation for appointments, annual yard cleanups and financial assistance. She has co-chaired the Glenview Civic Awards dinner for the past 18 years, receiving a Special Committee Award herself at the awards dinner this past March . Tom Smith was a village trustee for six years. He served two terms as Glenview Village President from 1977 to 1985, was a cable commissioner for three years and a fire and police commissioner from 1988-2000. Both Sam and Tom remain active members of the Glenview Rotary Club and continue to serve on the Board of Directors of Helping Hands of Glenview. Together Samantha and Tom may best be known as the on-air hosts and announcers for the last 23 years of Glenview Television’s Fourth of July Parade broadcast.

Parade organizers are also launching a search for other home town heroes to be honored at the parade and are asking for help from the community. Residents can nominate their own hero in an essay of 200 words or less that recognizes someone who lives or works in Glenview and who has made a difference in the lives of others. All Home Town Hero nominees will be invited to participate in this year’s parade and, with their permission, given the chance to have their story published in local media. The deadline for Home Town Hero nominations is June 1, 2008. Submission guidelines are on the park district’s website at GlenviewParks.org. Please include your name, phone number and the name of your Home Town Hero on all submissions. Nominations can also be submitted by e-mail to HomeTownHeroes.org.

This year’s parade, sponsored by Glenview State Bank, includes new safety measures designed to keep spectators a safe distance from parade vehicles. Dubbed “Stay on the SafeSide,” the parade route will be lined on both sides in red. Parade-goers are asked to stay behind these lines as candy and other goodies are distributed.

Parade applications are now being accepted from organizations, individuals and businesses. There are more than 100 floats, fire trucks and police cars, marching bands, scout troops, sports teams, community and neighborhood organizations expected to participate in the two-hour parade, which begins at 11:30 a.m. The 1.5 mile-long parade will step off from the parking lot of Our Lady of Perpetual Help school, go west on Glenview Road, turn south on Harlem to Central, then march west on Central to its ending point at Johns Park and the judges’ reviewing stand. Entries will be judged in six separate categories, including Best Musical/Variety Unit, Best Neighborhood Group, Best Youth Group, Best Business Unit, Best Adult Group, Best Community Service or Church Group, and the Judge's Choice Award. Parade applications can be downloaded from the Glenview Park District’s website at GlenviewParks.org and are also available at the Park District Administration office, 1930 Prairie St.; Park Center, 2400 Chestnut Ave.; Glenview Public Library, 1930 Glenview Rd., or Glenview Village Hall, 1225 Waukegan Rd. The deadline to apply is Friday, June 20.

A children’s bike parade, sponsored by Cook County Commissioner Gregg Goslin and the Abington of Glenview, is also part of this year’s festivities. Any child, preschool through age nine, can participate in the Bike Parade by bringing a decorated bike to the corner of Glenview Rd. and Church St. by 10:30 a.m. Since no judging takes place, participation ribbons are presented to all children. Pre-registration is not required.

The Independence Day Twilight Show, sponsored by Glenview State Bank and the residents and businesses of Glenview, begins at 7:30 p.m. on the grounds of the Glenview Park Golf Club, 800 Shermer Rd. The evening features a patriotic concert by the 100-piece North Shore Concert Band and a fireworks show synchronized to music. Firecrackers and sparklers are not allowed on the golf course and will be confiscated.

Residents and businesses are also encouraged to make donations to this year’s Independence Day celebration, which is expected to exceed $70,000. Donations can be made online at glenviewparks.org. Forms may also be picked up at Village Hall or Park Center, or downloaded from GlenviewParks.org. For questions on Independence Day activities, call Kathleen McInnis or Jason Herbster at (847) 724-5670.

Last updated 4/22/08