Mayor Kyle R. Hastings Recreation Review 2011

Mayor Kyle R. Hastings Recreation Review 2011

To start the year, the Orland Hills Recreation Department offered many special Holiday Events. The events were featured in the Winter 2011 Program Mailer that was sent to every home in Orland Hills. Two of the events were the: “Breakfast with Santa” and the “Holiday Ice Skating Party.”   Over the holiday season, more than 500 residents attended  “Breakfast with Santa” at Georgios Banquets and the “Holiday Ice Skating Party” at the Arctic Ice Arena.

Recreation Center program guides are sent to every home in Orland Hills each season and feature fun activities for all ages. Adult fitness, tiny tots programs, teen programs, aerobics, yoga, volleyball, fine arts, and martial arts are all part of the regularly scheduled activities planned year-round at the Community center.

The Orland Hills Senior Citizen Club continued with bingo held every Monday and monthly bus trips to museums and entertainment sites throughout the Chicago area. Luncheons are also held on a regular basis and for special occasions like St. Patrick’s Day and Halloween.

In early spring, the Village performed a wetland burn at Lake Lorin and at Pepperwood Trail. The burn eliminated much of the nuisance tall brush and weeds.  In addition, cutting of inlets and removal of debris has increased drainage and water flow.

During 2011, the interior of the Kelly Park Field House / Concession Stand was cleaned, washed and repainted.  The Kelly Park and Ridgegate Park baseball fields were edged and regraded for the upcoming season.  The Kelly Park baseball and softball outfields were also reseeded and fertilized.

The “Rite of Spring” continued with tee-ball, baseball, and men’s softball being played in our parks. Several tournaments were also hosted during the season. Over 400 children participated in the Wolves softball and baseball program while fourteen teams were part of the men’s sixteen inch softball league.

Park improvements continued throughout the summer of 2011, The Recreation Department installed new benches along the pathways of Ashbourne Lake.  These benches were geographically placed for leisure sitting and viewing of the wildlife.  New adult and infant swing seats and chains were installed at all tot- lot locations along with a child-safe wood chip material that was installed to increase safety and lessen the chance of injury during a fall. New aquatic improvements were also made at Lake Lorin with a new lake fountain and fountain lights.

Just before the 4^th of July, Mayor Kyle R. Hastings and the Village of Orland Hills ushered in 50^th Anniversary Celebration of municipal incorporation.  The week-end celebration was attended by over 5,000 people and included top music entertainment, food vendors, children’s entertainment and a spectacular fireworks show.

As part of the planning for the celebration, the Orland Hills Recreation Department was awarded a $6,000.00 grant from the Chicago Southland Convention and Visitors Bureau for advertising and promotion of the 50^th Anniversary Celebration.

In the late summer, new sod and black dirt was installed at the Kelly Park for the upcoming football season. To start the season, Mayor Kyle R. Hastings and the Board of Trustees hosted a Fall Kick-Off Football Clinic for the Orland Hills Wolves Youth Football and Cheerleading Association. As part of the clinic, the Olivet Nazarene University Football Coaches and Players instructed the Orland Hills Wolves Youth Football Players on warm-ups, drills, basics and technique.  Food and refreshments were served in the Orland Hills Community Center.

At the end of the football season, the Kelly Park baseball and softball outfields were reseeded and fertilized in preparation for the 2012 baseball season. Throughout the fall and winter, an active basketball season took place in the Community Center. Over 125 grade school children from 12 teams competed in a successful season.

To close out 2011, the 18^th Annual Orland Hills Turkey Trot 2K/5K Race hosted over 500 registered participants. Participants included teachers and students from Christa McAuliffe School and Richards High School who ran through the village streets and pathways. Race entries increased by over 120 runners in 2011. Corporate sponsorship of the race also increased in 2011.

In summary, the Mayor Kyle R. Hastings Recreation Review applauds the Orland Hills Recreation Department for fulfilling their Mission Statement and remaining dedicated and committed in providing quality recreational activities, programming, special events, parks and facilities to enhance the quality of life and experience to the residents of Orland Hills. The year 2011 was a very special year that we will never forget.