Committee Members Struggle to Keep Affordable Programs on a Tight Budget

At the Village’s annual Recreation, Youth, and Senior Citizens Services meeting, the committee discussed this year's success, their wish list, and the pride they take in keeping the activities at a low price, even if that means restricting their budget.

Members of the group made it a point to pat each other on the back by discussing the hard work that goes into providing activities at a low price while staying within their budget.

"Evergreen Park doesn't have a park district. The village does the best they can to keep prices at the absolute lowest for residents," said chairwoman and trustee, Carol Kyle.

According to the committee members, the Village makes a very slim profit and weighs their programs on a minimum number of sign-ups. If the programs don't reach the minimum, then they are forced to cancel those programs.

Youth Commission

Youth Director Jim Feltz, said the number of youth activities have provided over $2000 in revenue for the Village. The activities include open gym shoot around, family turkey shoot, Day in the Park and space golf in Orland Park.

Feltz announced that the recreation center snack bar accrued close to $2100 in revenue. Kyle congratulated him on that success since there was some concern that there wasn't going to be a profit.

Although the village kids are heading back to school soon, they still have a little time to enjoy roller skating at the Tinley Park Roller Rink and bowling at Brunswick Lanes.

Office of Citizens Services

, OCS Director, said the department has had several successful trips over the past year. Residents have gone with OCS to Quebec, a Princess Cruise to Alaska, trips to Atlantic City, Cape Cod, Philadelphia, New York and Mackinaw Island. The six trips that were planned this past year averaged a number of 50 people, said Churak. 

According to Churak, the department didn't get as much community interest for the cruise trips but have had so much interest in the Quebec trip that they have been asked to get another bus. 

Churak mentioned a new program that is still in the beginning stages that will promote health and fitness while helping to fight obesity. The program involves an after-school program where kids are taught about gardening, nutrition and health. Churak said that the title is still under discussion, but more information is to come.


Recreation Department

Department head Dennis Duffy said ,"The numbers were up," for the summer day camp. "They did their field trips and the last couple of weeks we were taking them to the pool 5 days a week because of the heat."

Considering the recent heat, Duffy proposed that the Activity Center, located near the intersection of 98th Street and Kedzie Avenue, get an air conditioning system. 

Although the three departments continue to work on a tight budget, the committee is still discussing each department's wish list, to continue to provide their services to the residents of Evergreen Park.