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Making soft, stretchy slime or dabbling in crafting Halloween-themed science experiences, there’s always a secret ingredient that instructor Lisa Lombardi brings to the table, positivity. Lombardi doles out positive messages and infuses her wacky and fun classes with inspiration and support helping young people ignite their confidence while enjoying park district classes that dabble in
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The kids are heading back to school, night is falling earlier, and thoughts are turning to the changing landscapes and crisp air of autumn. The St. Charles Park District is also welcoming the fall season with a variety of programs and opportunities for family fun. Pistons for the Park, a car show fundraiser for the
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In a world filled with distractions art instructor Susan Anderson invites her students to connect with their imagination, creativity and have a fun time. “If you can listen and you have hands and you’re ready to try, you can create art,” Anderson said. The joy and magic of art is what drew Anderson and her
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Invasive plants occupying space, buckthorn growing unchecked are no match for the dedicated Ecological Restoration team at the St. Charles Park District. Because even Mother Nature needs a hand decluttering spaces. The St. Charles Park District’s Ecological Restoration team, with support from community volunteers, takes on the mission of helping the natural areas rebuild by
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Hickory Knolls Discovery Center is a welcoming place for visitors of all ages—just ask the scaled, furry, and hard-shelled friends who live there. The center’s animal ambassadors, which number more than a dozen, give children and families the opportunity to learn about creatures native to the Kane County region as well as some from far
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Reserving an indoor tennis court is now faster and more convenient thanks to the St. Charles Park District’s new online court reservation system at Norris Recreation Center. The mobile-friendly platform gives players an easy way to view court availability, reserve court time and manage reservations from virtually anywhere. Whether booking online, by phone or in
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For more than 50 years, the St. Charles Park Foundation has strengthened the St. Charles Park District by raising funds and accepting charitable gifts that enhance parks, recreation programs and community opportunities for residents of all ages. “The Foundation is really the best way to support the Park District,” said St. Charles Park Foundation Board
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A sprawling 38-acre space along the Fox River, Pottawatomie Park in St. Charles is an amazing spot for outdoor exploration, relaxation and time spent with friends and family. “Many people know Pottawatomie Park for its popular attractions, but there are so many hidden gems,” said Erika Combs, public relations and marketing manager for the St.
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It’s a multi-day birthday celebration for the country as the St. Charles Park District invites the community out for festive fun, super deals and a chance to win prizes. To mark America’s 250th birthday the St. Charles Park District staff from across all of its facilities have put together a host of activities, specials and
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Longtime St. Charles residents Diana Brown and Gloria Klimek aren’t artists, rather they consider themselves the kind of people who appreciate art and how it can add beauty to their community. A love of art, and a team of individuals united in the belief that art can improve a space and be enjoyed by all
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School’s out and there’s fun to be had at STC Underground with several new programs and returning favorites. Programs are geared to 11- to 19-year-olds. “The center is a place for teens to come and hang out with their friends, but also make new friends,” said Abigail Fleming, recreation supervisor for teens and tweens. “It’s
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The St. Charles Park District is ready to open a new disc golf course, and a well-loved golf course has a new short-game opportunity as part of its commitment to recreation opportunities for all ages. Laura Rudow, superintendent of parks and planning and deputy director for the St. Charles Park District, said it’s exciting to
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Just about a mile walk from Hickory Knolls Discovery Center sits a small, but distinctive, natural space. It’s here where longtime naturalist Pam Otto likes to sit and take in the view. “It’s up on a hill, and when there’s foliage on the trees, you can’t see roads and the sound of traffic is absorbed,”
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The St. Charles area offers more than 20 miles of scenic trails, inviting residents and visitors to explore everything from quiet neighborhood loops to expansive regional routes. Whether you’re cycling along the Randall Road Trail or setting out for a longer ride on the Fox River or Great Western Trails, there’s no shortage of ways
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Celebrating the Baker Community Center’s 100th anniversary is an opportunity to celebrate its legacy and those who have helped ensure its continued use, where for 100 years couples can dance across the floor and teens have been able to hang out and make memories. As the community gathers at 101 S. Second St., to commemorate
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Those looking for a party that is anything but run-of-the-mill need not look any further. St. Charles Park District facilities, Primrose Farm and Hickory Knolls Discovery Center, both offer out-of-the-ordinary birthday party packages. Birthday parties at Primrose Farm are offered on weekdays and Saturdays all year long. These 90-minute celebrations include a tour of the
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Spring Wildlife Thrives in St. Charles Parks Taking a springtime stroll through the trails in St. Charles offers moments of serenity and great wildlife sightings, like catching an egret fishing for its lunch or listening to a serenade from chorus frogs. Within the St. Charles Park District community, it’s possible to visit wetlands, woods and
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Planning a party? Consider a venue that is not only fun but really sets a special occasion apart. That’s just what’s on offer with a private charter of a paddlewheel riverboat. “Riverboat cruises offer a shared experience that feels truly special and out of the ordinary,” said Tera Harvey, manager of cruise operations for the
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When Geneva resident Karen Laukaitis retired from her role as an elementary school teacher she wasn’t quite ready to give up her classroom. She still wanted the joy of helping young ones discover the magic of sounds, shapes and colors and has found it as an instructor for the St. Charles Park District’s Early Childhood
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Parents and caregivers whose schedules conflict with school times can find a solution close to home with the before- and after-school programs offered by the St. Charles Park District. Before the Bell begins at 7 a.m. and takes place at Bell Graham, Davis, Ferson Creek and Munhall schools “Before the Bell is a more quiet
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This year marks a significant milestone for the STC Underground Teen Center as it celebrates 25 years of empowering young people in the St. Charles community. Since opening its doors in 2001, STC Underground has served as a safe, welcoming place where teens can learn, grow and connect. What began as a simple gathering spot
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Behind every high school athlete is the parent who remembers how that same child once played in the dirt and thought the best part of sports was the post-game ice cream. Youth sports is as much about fun as it is helping each child learn the mechanics of the game, and whether they’re ready for
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Casting a fishing line into the fresh waters of the Fox River or walking beneath a canopy of leaves, a dose of nature can be a great cure for calming one’s mind, improving moods and even getting a better night’s sleep. “In the world we live in, it’s good to get away from the television,
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As stewards of the land maintaining the parks, the team at the St. Charles Park District makes sure the grass is cut and playground equipment is in working order, as the echoes of children laugh and play while couples stroll past trees that mark the passing of time. This year the park district marks its
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In addition to being a beautiful space where community members gather, walk and play, Mt. St. Mary Park in St. Charles is also officially an arboretum. The park enjoys Level II accreditation from ArbNet, an interactive, collaborative, international community of arboreta and tree-focused professionals. The Morton Arboretum in Lisle is the organization behind ArbNet, which
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Even with outdoor temps hovering in single digits, there’s no staying indoors for Ryan Solomon, ecological restoration supervisor for the St. Charles Park District. Year-round Solomon and his crew tend to the park district’s 400+ acres of natural areas, including savannahs, wetlands and woodlands. And before the spring thaw and first buds push through the
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Assistant Superintendent of Recreation Taylor Krawczyk of the St. Charles Park District was recently honored with the Illinois Park & Recreation Association’s (IPRA) Young Professional of the Year Award for her commitment and excellent service to parks and recreation. Ms. Krawczyk was recognized during the annual Soaring to New Height Conference, held at the Hyatt
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Flexibility, friendships and of course fun are the three staples when it comes to fitness classes offered at the St. Charles Park District. Several fitness classes in addition to monthly programs featuring educational topics, social opportunities and day trips are planned each season for those age 50 and older. One of the most popular fitness
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Monarch butterflies are graceful, seemingly fragile creatures. But these orange and black beauties are capable of an astonishing trek, traveling from eastern North America all the way to the mountains of Mexico in an annual mass migration. Their epic journey will be spotlighted during the St. Charles Park District’s upcoming program, Monarchs & Mimosas. Taking
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Four (four-year term) positions will be up for election to the office of Commissioner of the St. Charles Park District Board on April 1, 2025. Potential candidates may pick up election information packets beginning August 14, 2024 at Baker Community Center, located at 101 South Second Street, St. Charles, Illinois during normal business hours: Monday
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