Page 3 - Pleasant Dale Winter Spring 2020

At the end of the day... did you play? LETTER FROM THE DIRECTOR

Dear Friends of the Pleasant Dale Park District,

Greetings and a happy springtime to you and your family. With a snowstorm last Halloween and a green
holiday season with no snow, who knows what kind of weather we can expect this spring. I am hoping
for weather that will be conducive for continuing work on our various construction projects. The Walker
Park Improvement Project construction started last fall and we anticipate finishing later in 2020. This

project includes many new features that will enhance the park: playground equipment, challenge course,
backstop on Spina Field, picnic shelter, outdoor restroom, redesigned pathways, and a naturalized
pollinator area.

Weather dependent, we are targeting April for the start of improvements at Soehrman Park.
Improvements at this park include an outdoor restroom, shade structure for the outdoor fitness area,
as well as landscape beautification. Plans are also underway for environmental improvements at Lake
Carriage Way Park. The goals are to continue improving water quality and appearance of the lake in

conjunction with shoreline stabilization and landscape improvements. Monthly construction updates are
available at www.pleasantdaleparks.org. I’d also encourage everyone to connect with us via Facebook
and Instagram (@PleasantdalePD) make sure we have your email address so you’re receiving our email
communications. We appreciate your patience as we improve your parks!

I’m excited to announce that, in coordination with the Board of Commissioners, we have established
the Pleasant Dale Parks Foundation. This 501(c)(3) organization will work cooperatively with the Board
and serve as a fundraising arm of the park district. This positive partnership will allow for additional

developments to improve our park system and your community. I am also excited to introduce three new
staff members that have recently joined our team: Laurie Murray (Recreation), Bill Kikos (Maintenance),
and Bernadette Panik (Athletics). All three bring a fresh perspective to our district and are eager to work
on your behalf.

We appreciate your understanding as we all work through these uncertain times due to COVID-19. We
hope you’re staying healthy, safe and practicing social distancing. We hope to return to normal district
operations as soon as possible. Thank you for your continued support.

Sincerely,
Matt Russian
Executive Director

Pleasant Dale Park District

www.PleasantDaleParks.org Summer 2020 • 3