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Vernon Hills district to increase adult offerings
More than a hundred people showed up despite 40-degree rainy weather at the Vernon Hills Park District's annual Loop of the Lakes 5K race at Century Park in Vernon Hills. | Mark Ukena-Sun-Times Media
Vernon Hills Park District 2012
Upcoming Events
Worldwide Day of Play
When: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 29
Where: Century Park North
Activities: Baggo tournament, sand volleyball, moonwalk, egg toss, sack races, more
Geocaching Hike: 1 to 2 p.m.
Admission: Free
Register with Park District
Trucks, Trunks and Treats
When: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 13
Where: Sullivan Center Parking Lot
Activity: Wear your Halloween costumes and trick-or-treat at the vehicles of local organizations
Admission: $1 a child, ages 2 and younger admitted free
Register at Sullivan Community Center
Pruning Basics for Fall
When: 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 20
Where: Sullivan Community Center
Activity: Seminar covering pruning basics with horticulturist Regina Cady. Bring gloves, pruners.
Admission: Free
No registration required
Fall Fest
When: 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 26
Where: Sullivan Community Center
Activities: Trick-or-treating, magic show, face painting, carnival games and costume contest
Admission: $1, children 2 and younger admitted free; $5 each if purchased at door
Tegistration required. Tickets on sale Friday, Sept. 14 for residents, Sept. 28 for nonresidents
Parent’s Night Out
When: 4 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27
Where: Flips Gymnastics North Shore (for children 5 to 12)
Activities: Gymnastics, trampoline, tumble track, obstacle course, crafts and movie on the big screen
Admission: $50 a child, $30 per each additional sibling
Registration required. Bring sleeping bag or blanket for movie
Pumpkin Launch
When: 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 3
Where: Sled Hill at Century Park North
Activities: Rolling, launching and smashing pumpkins. Bring your own pumpkin
Admission: $2 per pumpkin launch
Registration required, limited to first 50 participants
Recycle-O-Rama
When: 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Nov. 10
Where: Westfield Hawthorne Mall Southwest Parking Lot
Activities: Collecting recyclable items such as eyeglasses, laptops, cell phones, etc.
Turkey Shoot
When: Sunday, Nov. 18
Where: Sullivan Community Center
Activities: Teams of one adult and one child (ages 4-15), highest scoring team in each category win a free turkey
Admission: $8 a team
Registration required
Article Extras
Updated: November 12, 2012 1:29AM
VERNON HILLS — The Vernon Hills Park District is on a mission to provide a variety of programs, services, facilities and natural spaces to enhance the quality of life for residents.
And the year 2012 has proved to be a busy one, filled with popular events like the Little Bear Ribfest, Movies in the Park and the Loop the Lakes 5k Run/Walk.
But the year is far from over and there are many events still to come leading into 2013.
Recreation Supervisor and Special Events Coordinator Marty Walsh has been working hard to organize events for all age groups and interests.
“We offer a largely diverse number of events, from your traditional Daddy/Daughter Dance to geocaching, which is a sort of treasure hunt using a GPS system,” said Walsh.
Walsh said he is looking forward to the district’s annual Pumpkin Launch Nov. 3, which drew a sizeable crowd last year.
“People just seem to love launching and smashing pumpkins,” Walsh said. “It’s a lot of fun.”
Walsh also has an Outdoor Winter Festival in the works for early 2013 that may include ice sculptures and sled dogs. Details are still to come.
Fellow Recreation Supervisor in charge of Youth and Adult Programs, Kelly Cushion, is taking direction from community members who have voiced their requests.
“We have recently had a big push for more adult programs,” said Cushion. “Our youth programs have already been met with great success, but the adults have voiced the need for more adult-geared classes and events.”
Cushion said the weekday adult art classes featuring oil painting and sketching instruction continue to be among the most popular, and the chess classes draw the most youth attention. Though classes often specify an age range, Cushion said she encourages those interested in classes that may be outside of their age range not to be deterred.
Cushion has some exciting adult events coming up, including a Milwaukee Brewery Tour, Broadway in Chicago and Zoo Lights at the Lincoln Park Zoo.
Executive Director Jeff Fougerousse also has recognized the community’s desire for more adult programs and free community events for families. A Recreation Advisory Committee comprised of a seven-member resident board was established this year to collect information from community members to enhance the success of the events and programs offered.
There also will be an independent marketing newsletter for adult residents sent apart from the four seasonal activity brochures.
“As professionals, we can’t always assume that what we offer is the best and exactly what the people want. This is a great way for residents to be heard and get their ideas directly to us,” Fougerousse said.
Fougerousse added that he encourages residents to take advantage of the district’s 26 parks accounting for approximately 450 acres. The Park District is constantly working to improve the community parks by replacing playground equipment, painting park benches, putting up protective netting at the baseball fields and installing cans in the parks to be used for their recycling program.
“They’re beautiful parks and very well-kept. Lake Charles Park and Sullivan Woods Park are among my personal favorites,” Fougerousse said.
The Park District also is working to hold a Community Special Olympics and Hershey Run Track and Field event day next summer at the Vernon Hills High School.
Programs, events and volunteer information can be found at www.vhparkdistrict.org.
