Message From the Interim Director of Parks and Recreation

Winter - Spring
2009 / 2010

Do you want to stay up to date with all Parks and Recreation programs, activities, events, and breaking news? Then sign up for the new Parks and Recreation e-mail list! To sign up, simply navigate to the "E-Mail Alerts" link on the left side of the City's homepage at www.yorkville.il.us, provide your e-mail address, check the box for Parks and Recreation announcements and click subscribe. Signing up for the e-mail list will give you instant access to exciting new programs as soon as they are offered, and will keep you in touch with all the latest information on Hometown Days, Music Under the Stars, the REC Center and parks openings.

If you think this catalog is thicker and heavier than it normally is - you are right! No, we aren't using heavier paper, nor are we giving away promotional barbells with this catalog. What we are doing is adding more classes andinformation to the catalogs and covering more months per catalog. Confused? Don't be. Normally, the catalog delivered to your home in October is called the "Winter" catalog and covers classes held during the months of December, January, and February. However, this catalog is called the "Winter/Spring" catalog and covers classes held during the months of December, January, February, March, and April. We changed the months in the catalogs for two reasons: cost and ease of production.

Starting in May 2010, the City will be producing only three catalogs and newsletters per year, each of which will cover four months in each catalog or newsletter (we currently produce four per year and cover three months in each). By cutting one catalog and one newsletter out of production per year, the City can save upwards of $10,000 per year on printing costs, and $1,500 per year in delivery costs. Producing three catalogs and newsletters per year also means City staff spends less time on the physical production of the catalogs. This idea came to our staff from other communities, who shared their success stories to save staff time and production costs. There was also positive feedback from the residents in the communities in which it had been implemented. So, the next catalog you see will be delivered in late March 2010, and will cover classes held during the months of May, June, July and August.

Three of our most popular events are held in the winter and spring: the Chili Chase 5k Run, the Polar Express and the Easter Egg Express. The Chili Chase 5k Run is held Sunday, November 22 and attracts over 250 runners and dozens of different types of chili. This year our ever popular Polar Express will be taking two trips to the North Pole on Sunday, December 6. A total of 250 tickets will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis. Parents must have a ticket to go. If you want to attend the Polar Express, make sure you walk into the Parks and Recreation Administration Office at 201 W Hydraulic at 8:00 am on Monday, November 2 or call our office for over the phone registration at 630-553-4357. Our Easter Egg Express, similar to the Polar Express, is held Saturday, March 27, but it will not sell out as fast.

While many of us haven't yet thought about the Holiday Season, it is fast approaching. The City's Holiday Under the Stars event will be held Friday, November 20 from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm at Town Square and in downtown Yorkville. This year's Holiday Under the Stars has new and different attractions with many of the downtown businesses participating. Join the City of Yorkville and downtown businesses for food, free giveaways, musical performances, a train ride and a merry ol' time!.

Finally, after the holidays are over, don't forget to plan for Spring Break! The REC Center will be running promotions during the week prior to Thanksgiving and the week after New Year's to help everyone save a little money when they work on their Spring Break bodies. Look for those promotions in the newspaper and on the REC Center's new website, www.yorkvillereccenter.com.

The staff and Park Board look forward to seeing you at our many specialevents and classes through the winter season. Have a great holiday season!

Bart Olson
Interim Director
Yorkville Parks and Recreation Department