July/August 2017

Community Newsletter

FAMILY  FUN  DAY

Mark your calendars for Saturday, July 22nd from 12:00 - 4:00 pm and come out to the Civic Association's FAMILY FUN DAY. This event will be held at the Hutchins Athletic Field, and there will be fun fair games to play, family games every hour, balloons, snacks and drinks. There will be a fire truck from Gurnee Fire Department from noon-4pm for the kids to learn about, and the Warren-Newport Public Library will have their bookmobile there from 1-4pm. If you like watermelon, sign up for the watermelon eating contest. There will also be a kite competition, with the most original kite winning a prize. Bring your kites and join the fun!

Some games, snacks, and drinks require tickets. (See flyer)

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It is not too early to start thinking of school in the fall.  We will be having an OPEN HOUSE on Friday July 21 from 5-7pm. 

Want more information? Visit our website at www.grandwoodpark.net/preschool where you can find a registration and/or curriculum packet, see photos, view the tuition costs, and more!  if you prefer, call us at 847-356-1296 or email us at preschool@grandwoodpark.net to have a packet mailed to you, or if you have any questions.

We look forward to meeting you at our Open House!

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The Bookmobile will visit Grandwood Park on the following Thursdays; July 6 & 20, and August 3, 17 & 31 from 6:05-6:40pm on Meadow Lane.

The Shires will see the bookmobile on the following Saturdays;  July 8 & 22, August 5 & 19 from 10:50-11:20 am at Westwood Place and Yew Tree Drive.

The loan period on bookmobile DVD's and magazines is 14 days, and 28 days for all other materials.

This is a great opportunity for you and your family to check-out and return materials without going to the library.  You can also request materials that you have not found on the bookmobile and they will bring it on their next visit!

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Possible Grant for Grandwood Park Lake Dam Rehabilitation

Grandwood Park Lake Dam came to the attention of Lake County Stormwater Management Commission (SMC) after the 2013 flooding in Lake County. Since that time, the Park District has been working with Lake County to make necessary improvements for public safety and asset management for Grandwood Park.

This spring the failing weir plates were replaced with 1 inch steel plates. The bridge, though banged up and showing its age, has been inspected by an engineer and is safe for foot traffic for at least another year.  However, the wing walls and the cement apron of the dam structure need to be replaced to ensure public safety and to maintain our existing assets. 

To help control the costs and continue to rehabilitate the dam, the Park District is partnering with SMC to submit a grant application for the Rehabilitation of the Grandwood Park Lake Dam. The conceptual work plan includes; removing the existing bridge, wing walls and the wood retaining walls along the downstream side of the dam. The banks will be graded to the water and large boulders and rock will be placed at the water’s edge.  The pedestrian bridge will be replaced with a structure that gives a little more room between the top of the dam and the bottom of the bridge. This change allows more water to pass over the dam during high water events. Additional large rock will be added to the downstream side of the weir plates to minimize water scouring and erosion downstream. 

Timing: the grant has been submitted. Decisions will not be made until December. Should it be approved, work would begin next spring/summer and the Park District will be responsible for 50% of the costs associated with the project.

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It's summer - the best time of year to get out and enjoy the weather by taking your dog for a walk.  Just remember, for the safety of your dog and other folks, please keep your dog leashed at all times - especially on park district property!

AND

            Please be considerate of others and pick up after your pet!!

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We have had a lot of interest and excitement about our migrating flock of flamingos. Thank you to all those who have already flocked their friends and neighbors! Spots are fillling up fast, so give the Civic Association a call to schedule your Flocking. You can also go to the Park District's website to fill out and print a registration form to order your flocking! Then you just need to mail it in with your payment!  Just follow this link http://www.grandwoodpark.net/gpca-fundraiser-flamingo-flock/

We can do special occasions such as birthdays, anniversaries, and graduations ..... or flock someone just to put a smile on their faces!!

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Check out the website at www.grandwoodpark.net/rentals for our new rates.

Effective July 1 2017 --- check out the reduced rates for Sundays

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Friday, September 15th, the Civic Association will hold a Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser.  The last dinner was a big success, and we plan on making this one bigger and better!

Come join us for a delicious dinner of spaghetti, meatballs, salad, and bread, and share a glass of wine with your friends and neighbors! 

~~Watch the website and the next newsletter for details ~~

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The Park District is expanding the parking for the community center, and access to park grounds now hidden. After meeting with Lake County Planning, Building and Development, we have selected an engineering firm to assist with creating a site plan and timeline to complete the project.

This summer we hope to have the buildings demolished and the property graded and seeded to prevent erosion. Construction of the lot is not expected to begin until 2018.

In addition to giving the community center more parking, adding this property opens up access to a beautiful oak grove behind the building. Adding this parking and access to the park grounds is expected to increase the Park District rental potential, provide the preschool with a drop off area which will ensure student safety, as well as enable additional handicap parking spaces adjacent to the building.

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Summer is here ... and with it usually comes an increase in burglaries.  The Lake County Sheriff's Department recommends keeping all doors and windows locked (this includes your cars), and to keep your property illuminated with outside lighting.

They also urge you to call 911 if you see anything suspicious!

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2017 Oktoberfest plans are underway
This year's Oktoberfest will be held on
October 7th at the Hutchins Athletic Field and promises to be bigger and better than ever! We will have the wildly popular hayride, food and drinks. Also in the works is a spectacular fireworks show put on by the Mad Bomber. New this year will be a Polka Band which will provide hours of fun and entertainment for everyone.

As plans are finalized, they will be added to the park district website (www.grandwoodpark.net), and will be included in the next issue of the Newsletter.

Put the date on your calendar and join the fun!! 

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On Sunday, June 11th, the Civic Association sponsored a blood drive at the Community Center. We had 14 donors show up, which means we helped 33 people!

Thank you to Lifesource, the Stautz family, and all the people that came out and donated!

Our website is getting a new look! In addition to creating a cleaner, more modern look, our goal is to create a more user-friendly site where finding what you are looking for will be easier. The new design will be responsive to all screens - PC, tablet and smartphones!

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Enhance mind/body awareness by increasing strength, flexibility, balance, proper breathing and stress reduction.  Awakenings Yoga is a near-perfect science-of-life that provides clear guidance and practical tools to create and maintain a balanced and healthy lifestyle.  Enjoy the healing, noncompetitive, and relaxing class environment.

Barbara Spietz, an internationally-recognized master teacher, has conducted teacher training workshops throughout India and the United States. She was featured in Yoga Chicago Magazine and is registered with the Yoga Alliance at the 500 hour level.

Wear comfortable attire. Equipment is provided, however, if you prefer you may bring your own.

Classes are held at the GRANDWOOD PARK PARK DISTRICT COMMUNITY CENTER located at 36630 N. Hutchins Road in Gurnee.

Check the website for details ... www.grandwoodpark.net/programs

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Among some of our regulars, we have folks that make cards, shadow boxes, quilts, jewelry, etc.  You don't have to JUST scrapbook ..... just have something you can do at a 6' table!!     Come join us!

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