Wilmington Park District

Wilmington Park District to reevaluate Strategic Plan

Published by admin on Tue, 03/29/2022 - 5:26pm

The members of the Wilmington Park District are set to review their strategic plan, to see if goals and objectives need to be tweaked.

On March 24, members of the park board briefly discussed plans to review the plan, which was enacted in early 2020, after some turnover in the district and the pandemic created a potential different outlook for the future.

Recycling program already a success for Wilmington Park District

Published by admin on Tue, 11/16/2021 - 5:10pm

The Wilmington Park District is walking the walk when it comes to leading the way in recycling efforts.

The district is participating in the NexTrex recycling program, a partnership with Virginia-based Trex, a wood-alternative and home goods company.

The plastic recycling program takes plastic film packaging—like that found in grocery bags, food storage bags, and plastic wrapping—into outdoor living products.

For the park district, that means those old grocery bags and other plastic packaging will ultimately get new life as park benches.

Wilmington Park District starts new recycling effort

Published by admin on Tue, 10/05/2021 - 5:04pm

The Wilmington Park District is upping its recycling game, turning old plastic bags and wrap into usable benches for to use throughout the district.

Executive Director Kirsten Van Duyne told the board of commissioners about plans for the new program during the board’s monthly meeting on Sept. 23.

Van Duyne called the new effort the “bags to benches” program. The district will collect thin plastic waste, including grocery bags, plastic storage bags, and plastic wrap for homegoods including toilet paper, paper towels and water bottles.

Wilmington Park District looks to take over Memorial Park

Published by admin on Tue, 09/28/2021 - 4:58pm

The city of Wilmington and the Wilmington Park District have entered some initial discussions about turning over another park from city hands to the park district.

On Sept. 23, members of the Wilmington Park District’s board of commissioners discussed the possibility of taking over care and ownership of Memorial Park, a property that currently belongs to the city.

The issue was also discussed by the Wilmington City Council during the Sept. 14 committee of the whole meeting.

Wilmington Park District still basking in Catfish Days success

Published by admin on Tue, 08/31/2021 - 4:53pm

It’s only been a month since Catfish Days returned to Wilmington.

But, the Wilmington Park District said their part in the event was such a success, they’re already preparing for next year.

During the park board’s regular monthly meeting on Aug. 26, Wilmington Park District Executive Director Kirsten Van Duyne told board members that the activities planned by the district during Catfish Days were better attended than they had anticipated.

“It was a wild and crazy busy weekend, but it turned out to be a ton of fun and super successful,” Van Duyne said.

Wilmington Park District looks for Kids Club summer locations

Published by admin on Tue, 06/01/2021 - 5:08pm

The Wilmington Park District is looking into options to help expand their Kids Club summertime programs.

On May 27, Executive Director Kirsten Van Duyne updated the district’s board of commissioners on this summer’s activities for the Kids Club, which operates as both daycare and summer enrichment programming through the park district at its Water Street facility.

Van Duyne told the members of the board that the program faces some limitations at the Water Street site, particularly when it comes to accessing outdoor activities.

Wilmington Park District will hold off on new hire

Published by admin on Tue, 05/04/2021 - 5:43pm

The Wilmington Park District will hold off on hiring a new superintendent of recreation, at least for now.

Members of the district’s Board of Commissioners made that decision during their April 22 regular meeting, on the advice of new Executive Director Kirsten Van Duyne.

The position became vacant following the resignation of Andrew Liaromatis last month.

Van Duyne takes the helm at Wilmington Park District

Published by admin on Tue, 04/27/2021 - 4:39pm

Wilmington Park District’s new executive director doesn’t have far to travel when it comes to making her way to the office.

Last month, the park district board of commissioners approved the hire of Wilmington native Kirsten Van Duyne, and the new director has hit the ground running.

Wilmington Park District discusses policy as search for director continues

Published by admin on Tue, 02/02/2021 - 4:17pm

The Wilmington Park District has been conducting interviews over the past several weeks, searching for a new executive director.

The district’s former director, Renee Chavez, resigned her position as of Jan. 8, taking a new position with the Crete Park District. Superintendent Andrew Liaromatis has been fulfilling most of the duties of the director in the interim.

On Jan. 28, the board met for their regular monthly meeting, holding a lengthy discussion on several policy issues with regard to the position.

Long term parking not allowed at Children’s Memorial Park

Published by admin on Tue, 01/19/2021 - 5:04pm

Some residents of Northcrest said they were frustrated to find that when the first snowfall came through the area over the Christmas weekend, they ended up with tickets on their cars.

Alderman Kevin Kirwin brought the ticketing issue to the attention of the City Council on Jan. 5. Kirwin said people who lived near Children’s Memorial Park moved their cars off the street to the parking lot by Riley’s Garden when the snow rolled in, because they don’t have off street parking of their own.