SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2024
COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER

~ THE WAIT IS OVER ~

FALL RUGBY FEST 
IS HERE!!

Come join us for a fun day of rugby, food, beverages, live music, kids games, and more!

Join the Bag's Tournament for only $10 per team. Winning team receives the $$ collected
for registrations!
Register here
 

We are still in need of volunteers!!
We need help with set-up on Friday, take-down on Sunday, parking, and bartending.
If you can spare a couple hours to help make the event a success, please contact us by phone at 847-356-0008, or by email at parkdistrict@grandwoodpark.net.

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Fall Rugby Fest has been made possible through the generosity of our sponsors!!

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Tori has been a resident of Grandwood Park for 4 years.  She recently retired from Abbott and enjoys spending time with her two adult daughters, volunteering, and being outdoors.  Tori previously served as Treasurer of the Hutchins Oaks Townhome Association HOA and looks forward to serving on the GPPD board.

Tori was appointed to the board on August 14th to complete the term that ends April 30, 2025.

WELCOME TORI !!

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BE A PARK DISTRICT COMMISIONER

MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Hello neighbors, my name is Nancy Carlson. I’ve served as an elected Grandwood Park Park District commissioner for over 10 years.  There’s something special about helping your own neighborhood thrive. 

Seeing the kids get excited about the Touch a Truck, the Easter Bunny parade or Santa riding in a fire engine gives me a great since of pride and accomplishment.  The park district also provides small parks, tennis courts, which now can be used for pickle ball, basketball courts, and our lovely lake, grounds and walking paths.  Community events like Music by the Lake, and our Fall Rugby Fest are also part of the park district’s commitment to community engagement.

All of this adds to the value of our neighborhood and is only possible if we have residents willing to be commissioners.  A commissioner’s responsibility and required time commitment is only one meeting a month held on the second Wednesday of each month. Of course you can always choose to be more involved.  If you have ideas about improving or changing the parks or the events planned, you can bring your ideas to the meeting where they will be reviewed and talked about. If the board thinks the idea is a good one, and the park district can fit it into the budget it can happen. You can make a difference.

PLEASE CONSIDER GETTING INVOLVED!

Grandwood Park Park District has approximately 750 residences in the Park District which includes the Shires. We continue to have new families moving into the area each year.  New families, have new ideas and bring fresh energy with them.

The Park District board is made up of 5 volunteer residents serving as commissioners. Three of the current commissioners are nearing the end of their term. New applicants MUST BE identified by December.  Please consider getting involved and volunteering for the Park District. If you wish to volunteer or just learn more about what it takes, contact Leslie in the park district office by telephone at 847-356-0008 or by email at parkdistrict@grandwoodpark.net.

If our Park District does not have at least 3 commissioners, Grandwood Park Park District will NOT BE ABLE TO CONTINUE.

If we do not have volunteers identified by December, and the current resident volunteer commissioners do not continue in the roles, the courts must take over the Park District. The neighborhood would incur significant legal expenses that a court will impose on the park district. The courts will reach out to the residents of the park district to find the required number of volunteers to fill the positions. Of the 750 homes in the park district, there should be 5 people willing to commit to a few hours a month to keep the park district going.

Our attorneys have advised “don’t let that happen” it will cost you a lot and cause a significant disruption.

In my experience as a park district commissioner, I’ve made so many new friends and learned a lot about our neighborhood and the people in it.

Join the team, make a difference in the neighborhood and in your life.  Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or want more information. Thank you  

Nancy Carlson, Grandwood Park Park District
Ncarlson@grandwoodpark.net.

BLOOD DRIVE SCHEDULED FOR 
OCTOBER 23RD ... 3:00 - 7:00 PM

Our Craft Fair is happening on November 2, 2024. Join us to explore a wonderful array of handmade creations from local crafters. Shop for unique items such as jewelry, cards, journals, home goods, holiday ornaments, seasonal décor, pet accessories, and more! Plus, Tastefully Simple, Arbonne, and Paparazzi will also be featured. We can’t wait to see you there.

MAKING ADAM’S PARK MORE INCLUSIVE YOUR FEEDBACK IS IMPORTANT!

With the number of new residents to the Park District, many people do not know the story of Adam’s Park.  Adam Marienau was a Grandwood Park resident who passed away November 11, 1992 at the age of 11 after a life long battle with Muscular Dystrophy.

While he lived in Grandwood Park, neighbors were honored to get to know Adam and his family, if only for a short time.  Despite the “restrictions” Adam dealt with as a way of life he was always upbeat and happy. He would rather ask how your day was than talk about his. He could be seen going through the neighborhood in his wheelchair, playing running bases in the driveway and poker with neighbors on the porch. Adam was a good student who loved his family, friends, bowling (he beat Jerry Lewis one Saturday morning at Lakehurst) and he loved the playground on Streamwood Drive.

Adam and his family inspired others to participate in the annual Jerry Lewis MDA telethon. Adam’s dream to meet Lewis started in 1991 when he signed up 792 (many from Grandwood Park)  to donate to muscular dystrophy and won a competition open to 25,000 junior bowlers at Brunswick Recreation Centers nationwide. The feat earned him a trip to Las Vegas for the broadcast of the national telethon.

Adams left his mark on Grandwood Park.  1996 when the Park District updated the existing park on Streamwood, residents were asked for ideas to name the park.  On May 6^th 1996 the park was formally dedicated as Adam’s Park in a well-attended ceremony on what would have been Adam’s 15^th birthday. The park district agreed that whatever changes happen to the park the name should remain Adam’s Park.  

It’s been 28 years since the park was dedicated to Adam Marienau.  The park has had several updates over the years.  The park district wants to make the park additional improvements to Adam’s park that will make it more inclusive and accessible to residents like Adam who are not able to play on traditional equipment. 

Today there are many options that would help make Adam’s Park more inclusive and ADA accessible.  As an example, better pathways for wheelchair users, equipment designed for play from a wheelchair or swings and climbing apparatus. 

Your feedback will help direct the park district to identify what our residents feel is most important.  As always, all improvements are subject to the GPPD budget planning process.  Based on your feedback, the park district will develop a plan to make the improvements to Adam’s Park.  

Your feedback is valued. Please feel free to email the park district with your thoughts at PARKDISTRICT@GRANDWOODPARK.NET

EAGLE SCOUT PROJECTS

Thank you to scouts Tommy & Aidan Dunn for choosing projects for their Eagle Scout Project within the park district. 

Tommy chose to build a surround for the porta-potty in Lake Park to keep it from being tipped over, damaged, and to protect it from weather.

Aidan's project was to build purple martin houses for around Grandwood Lake. 

The projects are complete and look GREAT! We couldn't be happier. Congrats to these two young men, you should be proud of yourselves for a job well done!

THANK YOU!

If you would like to participate in handing out treats, please PUT YOUR PORCH LIGHT ON. That will let all the trick-or-treaters know which houses to go to!

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WARREN  TOWNSHIP  INFORMATION

WARREN TOWNSHIP HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT

WARREN SPECIAL RECREATION ASSOCIATION

• WSRA was proud to compete at the 2024 Special Olympics Summer Games. 12 athletes competed in bocce ball (singles matches), soccer skills and track & field (mini javelin throw, softball throw and 100 M Run). The WSRA athletes brought home several medals, including some golds and many ribbons.  At Opening Ceremonies, the Law Enforcement Torch Run members presented a check to Special Olympics for over 5 million dollars. While in Normal WSRA athletes visited the Special Olympics Tribute Park.  It was awesome to see all the bricks with athletes who have competed at World Games and USA Games, some of which were our very own WSRA athletes! WSRA wishes to express our sincere gratitude to Kathy Blair and her late husband Troy Blair for their unwavering support of Warren Special Recreation Association and our Special Olympics programs and athletes.

• Sign up NOW for WSRA fall fun! Enjoy these great programs/events and more.

1. Creative Canvas
2. Gourmet Gurus
3. Little Bowlers
4. BHOP Esports
5. Outdoor Explorers
6. Adults on the Go
7. Outdoor Movie Night
8. Friendsgiving
9. Carnival of Lights

WARREN TOWNSHIP SENIOR SERVICES

Offering luncheons, games, fitness classes, pickleball, a workout room, social services, presentations, day trips, long distance trips, music group, support group, and a library with computers to residents 55+.  For more information, please call us at 847-244-1101 ext. *501.

Lending Closet

Durable medical equipment is available on loan to Warren Township residents at the Warren Township Senior Center.  Please call 847-244-1101 ext. *501 for more information.

SHIP (Senior Health Insurance Program)

The Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP) consists of counselors across the country that are available to help understand your insurance choices. Our senior team has multiple staff trained through SHIP to assist residents of Warren Township.  We are here to assist with any questions or concerns.  Those who are new to Medicare have an enrollment period 3 months before and 3 months after their 65^th birthday to enroll in Medicare.  We can provide information on Medicare supplements, advantage plans, prescription drug plans, and Medicaid.  Our services as SHIP counselors are by appointment only.  To schedule an appointment, please call the office at 847-244-1101 ext. *501.

This year’s Music by the Lake was a great success! A heartfelt thank you to everyone who came out and supported our bands. We also extend our gratitude to the bands and food trucks for their contributions to our community. We look forward to seeing you at future events!

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