Frankfort Park District - Park Perks On Line

ARTS IN THE PARK

Thanks to Recreation Director Stacy Proper, the Frankfort Park District has been developing a wide range of cultural arts classes for area children. New this winter is a trio of theater classes for children from 6 to 14 years of age. Taught by two Bradley University theater graduates with professional acting experience, the programs will focus on the process of acting, rather than a big show-stopping end production.

“We are hoping to expose the younger generation to theater, to bring art into their lives and bring in something they’ll have fun with and enjoy,” said Tom Lucas, one of the two instructors, who is also certified to teach 6th through 12th grade. “It’s going to be a low pressure situation. Hopefully we’ll spark a passion in them,” he added.

Lucas and his co-instructor Tiffany Albers-Lopez, who will return to the area in January after working in Florida for the Walt Disney Corporation, will teach Bit Players (for 6-8 year olds), Acting Up (for 9-11 year olds) and Broadway Bound (for 12-14 year olds)...see page 10 in the program brochure for details. Classes start January 22.

Lori Klinka, another acting veteran, will conduct “How to Get into Commercials” workshops for youth and adults on February 21 and February 26. She currently teaches acting at Columbia College in Chicago and has been a professional actress working in commercials, TV, film and theatre. Don’t miss her insider advice! (See page 10 in the prorgram brochure).

Jennifer Lalumendre of The Artist Within is back this spring with the “Amazing Artists Art Camp“ during spring break. “Campers will have a ton of creative fun learning about some famous artists and creating projects that use the styles and techniques they have learned about! I hope you’ll come join us for some awesome art fun!” Lalumendre explained. (See page 9 in the program brochure).

Private voice instructor Sara Morrey has such a full schedule at the Park that she’s not able to accept new students until summer, but then she’ll be ready and willing. Her teaching goal is to help each student develop his/her voice to the best of his/her ability.

Also not to be missed is professional freelance writer/editor Dianne Gallagher’s writing classes for youth and adults, which begin January 26. Check out pages 10 and 23 for more info.

PRESERVATION FOUNDATION DEDICATES
2 SCULPTURES

On Saturday, May 26, 2007, with over 200 guests looking on and the Frankfort Brass Band playing patriotic music, the Frankfort Preservation Foundation dedicated two busts in honor of two public servants from Frankfort: former Mayor George C. Sangmeister and his son, retired Congressman George E. Sangmeister. The Congressman, who spoke before the dedication of his father’s bust, was unaware until after the first unveiling that the Foundation was also recognizing him, as well.

The former Mayor was memorialized with proclamations from the Illinois Senate and Illinois House of Representatives, as well as the Village of Frankfort. Dr. Irving Rudman, Frankfort Fire Chief James Grady and Foundation Preservation Vice President Judy Herder paid tribute to the man who was mayor of Frankfort for 30 years and who organized the Village’s volunteer fire department (the first Village fire truck from 1938 was on display at the ceremony) and Sauerkraut Days which has evolved into Frankfort Fall Fest.

After the first bust was unveiled, Frankfort Preservation Foundation President Dan Hattan then asked Congressman Sangmeister to be seated, as the group had a little surprise for him…a second bust being dedicated in his honor. Various dignitaries who worked with the now retired Congressman paid tribute to this man whose integrity was the hallmark of his career, according to those who spoke of him, such as State Senator A.J. Wilhelmi, State Representative Renee Kosel, Will County Executive Larry Walsh, Congressman William Lipinski and Director of the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery Roseann Santore. Congressman Sangmeister’s son Kurt, as well as friend and law partner Ken Grey and friend John Herder, also spoke to the Congressman’s unfailing sense of humor and good will in serving his colleagues, constituents and friends and family. In addition, the Village of Frankfort declared May 26 as George Sangmeister Day.

The Congressman has served in all facets of government, beginning as a Justice of the Peace in Will County and later serving as Magistrate of the Will County courts. He also held the office of Will County States Attorney, Illinois Senator, Illinois Representative and lastly U.S. Representative from 1987 to 1995 when he retired. Congressman Sangmeister is considered the architect of the Joliet Arsenal Redevelopment project which directly involved him in the creation of the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery and Midewin Prairie.

Sculptor Dante DiBartolo of Friends for Community Public Art in Joliet designed both busts. The sculptures sit in the southwest corner of the Preservation Park Sculpture Garden at the Frankfort Park District Founders Center at 140 Oak Street. Plaques containing a bio for each man complete the display. The Preservation Foundation has also partnered with the Frankfort Park District to place a memorial sculpture of Maggi Lindee (lifelong Frankfort resident and community activist) and General Sherman and his horse Sam in the garden, which is open to the public. For more information, please contact Foundation President Dan Hattan at 815-469-0785.

PARK DISTRICT TURNS 40
The Frankfort Park District is turning 40 this year.

The Frankfort Park District was created by a referendum to establish a taxing district for parks in April 1967 in Frankfort. The organization had its first official meeting in June 1967 with Main Park as its primary facility. Forty years later, the Frankfort Park District has two buildings and almost 20 park sites established and more on the books that will be developed in the coming years as Frankfort continues to grow.

To celebrate, a "40th at the Fort" party is being planned for Friday, August 3, at Commissioners Park from 6:30-9:00 p.m. There will be giant inflatables, fun fair-type games and music, as well as play time at the Fort and in the splash park. Please watch the web site and local papers for more information as the date gets closer.

At the February 20 Village board meeting, Frankfort Park District commissioners Mel Romani and Tom Barz presented Mayor Jim Holland and the Board of Trustees with a Community Service award. This award was received by the Frankfort Park District at the recent Illinois Association of Park Districts/Illinois Parks and Recreation Association state conference in January.

The IAPD/IPRA recognized the Village of Frankfort for their cooperation with and support of multiple joint partnership projects, which include:

The Frankfort Park District is pleased to have such a committed partner in making these park improvements which will benefit the entire community.

The Frankfort Park District is pleased to announce that on October 26, 2006, Governor Rod Blagojevich awarded over $26.4 million in park development grants. This is the fourth OSLAD (Open Space Land Acquisition Development) grant to be awarded to the park since 2003 and will fund the construction of Lakeview South Park on Madeline Lane in Lakeview Estates. The $322,000 grant will be used to build a playground, a shelter, two fishing piers, and an interpretive path, along with the installation of wetland plants. In addition, the Frankfort Park District was fortunate to receive an additional 44 acres of conservation area between Lakeview and Lakeview South park sites, which was donated by the developer above and beyond the Village required donation ordinance. Therefore, the entire park will be built using OSLAD funds and no additional taxpayer dollars. Construction should begin in 2008. For more information, please contact the Frankfort Park District at 815-469-9400.

MAIN PARK DEMOLITION UNDERWAY
In October 2006, the Frankfort Park District maintenance crew, under the direction of Superintendent of Parks Bob Johnson, began demolition work on Main Park. These efforts will result in a whole new look for Main Park come 2007. Modern, kid-friendly playground equipment will be installed near the north end of the park, with separate preschool and elementary age areas. A walking path will wind throughout the entire park and will have several skateboard nodes scattered along the way. A seniors game area with shuffleboard and permanent game tables will be located up near the playground along with a butterfly garden and Veterans Memorial Wall, and an expanded picnic pavilion will take center stage in this renovated north end, complete with new rest rooms.

The tennis courts and sand volleyball courts are being relocated to the south end of the park with new paved parking and restrooms in that section, and a small remote control car race track will also be constructed in the south end. In addition, extensive re-landscaping will be done throughout the facility.

Watch for the transformation which will begin as soon as weather permits in Spring 2007. The Frankfort Park District is ON THE MOVE!

FRANKFORT BARK PARK
Thanks to the generous donations of time and money, the Frankfort Bark Park will open on Saturday, May 19. The Bark Park has been funded by a committee of Operation Playground, a 501C3 that supports the Frankfort Park District. The grand opening ribbon cutting will take place at 11 a.m. and will be followed by a variety of dog-related demonstrations and entertainment. Registration will also be taken for the Bark Park on the 19th. The fee is $40/family with a $10 key card deposit. Proof of vaccination is required.

The Bark Park has two separate fenced areas, one for small dogs and one for large dogs. The keycard access gate allows patrons into a holding area where they can then proceed to the small or large dog area through an internal gate. Long range plans for the Bark Park include extensive landscaping and water on site.

To donate to the Frankfort Bark Park, please send your contribution to Operation Playground, P.O. Box 1044, Frankfort, IL 60423. There are four levels of sponsorship: $25, $50, $75 or $100, or donors could opt to purchase a commemorative plaque for the memorial wall or purchase a tree or a bench for the bark park, both of which will also bear commemorative plaques with the owner’s inscription.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT THE BARK PARK WEB SITE AT www.frankfortbarkpark.com or pick up a brochure at the Founders Center, 140 Oak Street in Frankfort.