It’s that time of year again! On Monday, Jan. 5 beginning at 9 a.m., the Parks & Rec Department begins taking 2026 reservations for park picnic pavilions.

New this year: Reservations for the Kiwanis Park Picnic Pavilion and the Ehlert Park West Pavilion can now be made ONLINE!

Reservations can also be made by submitting the paper application to kpicton@brookfieldil.gov A link to the paper application can be found by clicking here.

Pavilions are available to rent May 1 through Oct. 31, so start planning those summer gatherings now!

It’s only when the holidays are over and that Christmas tree is looking a little worse for wear, you realize: Hey, I gotta get rid of this tree! And it’s January, will Groot even pick it up?

The answer is: Yes.

Groot will pick up Christmas trees free of charge the first two weeks in January. They ask that all ornaments, lights, tinsel and garland are removed prior to placing the tree out where you normally place your trash/yard waste for pick up.

The Brookfield Colgrass Community Cafe, 9022 31st St., is open to people age 60+ five days a week from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., providing low-cost, nutritious food and fun activities.

Click on the flyer below for more info.

Community Assisted Rides, the LaGrange-based nonprofit organization which provides safe and dignified ride services for older adults in the Greater Lyons Township area, including Brookfield, is looking for groups to join its Snow Shovel Squad.

CARS will match your team with older adult neighbors in need of snow removal assistance throughout this winter. Each time it snows, you’ll do the good deed of shoveling (or plowing) their property to keep it safe for them.

Do you know a local youth group, scout troop, or similar organization that might like to help?

To learn more or sign up, please call the CARS office at 708-354-9328.

Have feedback regarding Brookfield E-News? Email here