MAY/JUNE 2023
Community Newsletter

The Park District currently has 2 seats that need to be filled. 

How long is the term of a Park District Commissioner?   
The term of a Commissioner that is elected during a Consolidated Election is 4 years, however volunteering to be appointed to the Board changes that…you would serve for 2 years until the Consolidated election in 2025.

What does it mean to be a Park District Commissioner?  
n a nutshell, you will help set goals, formulate, and adopt policies, establish service that meet the present and future needs of the citizens of our  district,  and  oversee  operations  and  staff.  You  will  help  determine  the  annual  budget and determine how to best use taxpayer money.

Who is eligible to be a Commissioner for the Grandwood Park Park District?
Any registered voter who has been a resident of the park district for at least one year. A park district commissioner must reside with the district during their entire term of office.

When does the Board meet?
The Board meets the second Wednesday of each month. There are a few times when special meetings will also be necessary to complete park business. All meetings are open to the public, with a few exceptions. Closed session meetings will be held to discuss topics that should not be discussed in a public meeting.

Does the Board have to abide by any specific rules?
There are many laws that park districts must abide by, as well as policies that have been set by our own park board.

Where can I receive more information or get answers to any questions?
You can find quite a bit of information on the park district website, www.grandwoodpark.net, under the ABOUT tab. A great resource is the Board Policy Manual which you can find under the ABOUT tab. You may also contact any current Board member, email parkdistrict@grandwoodpark.net or call the office at 847-356-0008.

What do I do if I want to volunteer for a seat on the Board?                                                                    Contact us by email at parkdistrict@grandwoodpark.net, call 847-356-0008, or come into the office (please call for an appointment).

Although being a Board member does take dedication and time (less than 6 hours a month), it is a very rewarding experience!

Are you up for it??

TOUCH A TRUCK Event - June 2, 2023

Why not sponsor a Grandwood Park Park District event?  The park district will add your company's information to our website, newsletter, fliers, and at the event.

Contact us at 847-56-0008 if you would like more information.

MUSIC BY THE LAKE 2023 Concert Series

Grab some friends, blankets/chairs, your favorite beverages, and come to Lake Park for some great music. Get some food from the food truck, then sit back, relax, and enjoy the food and the music. What a great way to end your weekend!!

We are in the process of adding food trucks to June 25 and August 6th. Once they are confirmed, they will be posted on the website!

FOOD TRUCK NIGHTS are returning to Hutchins Athletic Field this year!!!

We have additional food trucks coming .... we are just waiting for final confirmation!
Once we have everything, we will update the info on our website.

Fork n Fry (loaded fries & poutine) is a gluten-free food truck .. all their gravies are gluten and dairy free, vegetarian and vegan. Check out their website for details.

Local Government Efficiency Act

In June of 2022, the Decennial Committees on Local Government Efficiency Act was signed into law by Governor Pritzker (P.A. 102-1088). The act requires all units of local government that levy a tax to convene a committee to "study local efficiencies and report recommendations regarding efficiencies and increased accountability".

The committee is to be comprised of the Board, Park District Manager, and at least 2 residents of the park district. The Act requires that the committee meet at least 3 times, summarize its findings in a written report, and provide the report to the county board within 18 months of the formation of the committee. Once that is done, the committee is dissolved. This process is to be repeated every ten years.

The Park Board is looking for at least 2 residents that would like to be included on this committee. Please contact Leslie in the park district office at 847-356-0008 or by email at parkdistrict@grandwoodpark.net if you are interested.

Warren Township Highway Department

2023 Resurfacing Program

Warren Township Highway Department’s 2023 Resurfacing Program consists of removal and replacement of concrete curb, sidewalk, and approximately 29,870 feet (5.66 miles) of resurfacing.  Weather permitting, construction is expected to begin mid-May.

The roads included in Grandwood Park and The Shires of Cambridge are:

Grandwood Park                   The Shires of Cambridge

Center Drive                             Highfield Dr. West

Judy Drive                                 Westwood Place

Karen Lane                                Ash Drive

Pamela Place                            Sophia Lane

We appreciate your patience and cooperation during these improvements.  For any questions regarding the project, please call the Highway Department at 847-244-1101, Ext 301.

Amy Sarver
Warren Township Highway Commissioner

BUNNY PARADE & FOOD DRIVE

The Park District would like to thank the Bunny for visiting us again this year - even though it was a cold, miserable day!  He still had a great time and will be back next year!! He hopes everyone enjoyed their goodie bags.

Thanks to our volunteers for helping make the event happen, even in the inclement weather, and to the Warren Township Highway Department for once again helping us with the food donations and for taking the food to the food pantry!!!

Thank you to everyone that provided food for the food pantry. Because of you, more folks had food in their cabinets to feed themselves and their families!!!!

We have received some calls about people walking their dogs in the parks and not picking up after them. A Dog Waste station has been placed at the entrance to the field at Hutchins Athletic Field for your convenience. Another one will be installed at the gazebo entrance to Lake Park. PLEASE, be courteous to others and pick up after your dog!!

ADOPT-a-HIGHWAY program
continues in 2023

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

The Grandwood Park Park District participates in the Adopt-a-Highway program and is responsible for Hutchins Road. The commitment is to conduct 2 clean-ups each year. The first clean-up for 2023 is scheduled for May 20th - meeting at the pole barn at 9:30am.  The clean-ups typically take approximately 2 hours. The more volunteers we have, the less time it will take.

If you are able to donate an hour or so of your time to help, please contact Leslie in the park district office to let us know to add you to the list and to receive the rest of the details. You can email parkdistrict@grandwoodpark.net, or call 847-356-0008.

To view the complete job description posted on our website, please click here. 

If you have any questions, please contact Leslie, the Park District Manager, at 847-356-0008, or by email at parkdistrict@grandwoodpark.net. 

If you are interested and would like to apply, you can print an application from the website by clicking here, or by coming into the park district office located at 36630 N. Hutchins Rd., Gurnee between noon - 5:00pm.

WARREN TOWNSHIP
YOUTH & FAMILY SERVICES

Youth & Family Services provides short-term counseling services to families with children birth to 17 and young adults 18 to 25.  The following information was in the 2022 Fall/Winter Warren News.

NEW YOGA SESSION
BEGINS MAY 1ST

Yoga classes are held at the Grandwood Park Park District Community Center
36630 N. Hutchins Road, Gurnee IL

DO YOU SCRAPBOOK? MAKE YOUR OWN CARDS? OR HAVE ANOTHER HOBBY YOU ENJOY?

Join us once a month at our 12-hr. scrapbook crop - you do not have to be a scrapbooker. Just enjoy a hobby you can do while at a 6' table.