Welcome to

THE PARK BENCH

August 2025

Welcome to The Park Bench, our quarterly newsletter that will highlight projects, updates & events, announcements and ways to get involved.

Thanks for a great summer!

Huge Thanks to our Seasonal Staff Members

For those of you who chose to swim, snack or golf at Splash Land this summer, or visit one of our beautiful parks, you got a chance to see our seasonal staff in action. Summer staff, you are an invaluable part of our operations and we couldn't offer these amenities without you! Thank you, thank you, thank you for all of your hard work. We wish you the best of luck with this school year!

An Awesome Summer of Recreation Programs & Special Events

From Ninjas Night Out, Poms and Tumbling, a Salon Party, a variety of youth athletics programs, Music and a Movie in the Park...this summer was a blast! We are always looking to expand our offerings, feel free to email Kim Baxter, Supt of Recreation, at recreation@lenaparkdistrict.org if you have a program you'd like to see.

Have you tried out the new Gaga Pit?

If you've been to Lions Park this summer, you may have noticed the brand new Gaga Pit, that was installed by Leilah K from Scouting America Troop 5. Leilah approached the Park Board with this idea for her Eagle Scout project and did a fantastic job from start to finish. We are grateful for her idea to add to the Lions Park amenities; well done, Leilah!

Leo the Rock Snake...let's keep him growing!

This summer, we introduced a Community Art Project...Leo the Rock Snake. Friends and neighbors were invited to add a painted rock to Leo, and we are proud to say that Leo grew the length of the large flowerbed by the pool. We are going to keep Leo out on the flowerbed through the end of September, so please feel free to add your rocks and keep him growing!

Mark Your Calendars....

September

6

Annual Fall Fest 5k Walk/Run

8:00am start at Splash Land pool...plenty of time to race, watch the parade and get a pork chop on a stick!

Registration information: lenaparkdistrict.org

September

9

Fall/Winter Office Hours Begin

Park Office open Tuesdays only, 9am-2pm

December

13

Breakfast with Santa

Lena Fire Department, 8am-10am

Interested in volunteering? Students need service hours?

Email Kim Baxter at recreation@lenaparkdistrict..org

Upcoming Projects:

This fall, the maintenance staff hopes to work on improving the ball fields at Dodds Park. This will include replacing base posts and re-working the infield material to hopefully improve drainage. Please be respectful of barricades and caution tape when these projects begin; this work is best to complete in fall so it can settle over the winter and be ready for the Spring seasons.

Visit our Website

Lena Community Park District | 609 N. Schuyler St. | Lena, IL 61048 US

﻿Thanks for a great summer!