Rockford Park District

🏒 We've had a busy summer with our StreetHogs program, bringing the fun of hockey to our Time 2 Play summer camps several times a week! Thanks to the generous donations from the Chicago Blackhawks and the Rockford IceHogs, we've been able to provide all the necessary equipment for kids to play the sport of hockey! We are incredibly grateful to the Blackhawks and IceHogs for helping us break down the barriers of cost and lack of equipment for the kids in our community. Their support allows us to grow the game of hockey in Rockford and introduce this amazing sport to kids who might never have considered hockey an option for them! #StreetHogs #Rockford #ChicagoBlackhawks #RockfordIceHogs #GrowTheGame #YouthSports #StreetHockey

📋 COMMUNITY SURVEY: Five years ago, we engaged with our community through a survey to develop a strategic plan based on the feedback we received. Thanks to everyone's feedback, we've spent the past five years transforming our park district to better serve our community. We've increased investment in neighborhood parks, focused on priority areas, and boosted support for the next generation, especially our youth and teens.   📽️ Check out this video to see how exactly we've focused on our priority areas, including the renovation of Riverview Ice House, the creation of Perks Family Equine Center, and the new Levings Unity Pavilion performance stage to just name a few!   👉 Take our community survey now to help shape our next 5-year focus! https://lnkd.in/g_9Ri-6X   #YourParksYourFocus #BuildingBetterParks #TogetherWeGrow #RPD

We've had an incredible past couple of days at our Wantz Park Time 2 Play Summer Camp! Yesterday, the Loves Park Police Department 🚔 visited us with their new therapy dog, Conway, brought popsicles, and even set up a speed trailer to see how fast our kids could run! Today, the Loves Park Fire Department 🚒 stopped by with their fire truck. They taught the kids about fire safety and gave them a tour inside the fire truck and ambulance! A huge thank you to both the Loves Park Police Department and the Loves Park Fire Department for hanging out with us! The smiles on the kids' faces were priceless, and they learned so much about the amazing first responders in our community! #LPPD #LPFD #CityOfLovesPark #CommunityFirst #SummerFun

Can you believe the Sinnissippi Gardens is older than sliced bread? 🍞 Join us as we celebrate a century of the Sinnissippi Gardens! 🌹 Since opening in 1924, the gardens have stood alongside countless local and global milestones—from the introduction of sliced bread to Amelia Earhart's historic flight across the Atlantic. Explore some of the memorable moments that have defined the roaring 20s. #RockfordHistory #SinnissippiGardens #Roaring20s

📋 We need your input! The Rockford Park District is revising its community-driven priorities and five-year strategic plan, and your feedback is crucial. Help us shape the future of our parks and programs to better meet the evolving economic, demographic, physical, and social challenges, especially for our youth and teens. Share your thoughts on what recreational needs we should focus on, invest in, or change. Your voice matters in building a community that works for everyone! 🌳 👉 https://lnkd.in/g_9Ri-6X #RockfordParkDistrict #CommunityFirst #YourVoiceYourParks

Exciting News! ⚾️ In 2009, the Rockford Park District launched Buddy Baseball, followed by All Stars Baseball for ages 20+ in 2019. These programs pair participants with disabilities with buddies, creating fun and inclusive opportunities. They have allowed hundreds of youth, teens, and adults to experience the joy of being part of a team. Over the years, these programs have utilized various community fields, but we have always dreamed of a 'home base' with proper modifications to support our programs' growth. We are thrilled to announce that Darryl F. Lindberg Park will be renovated to become this new, fully accessible home. Athletes will be able to round the bases on a diamond adapted for their success. A huge thank you to Senator Dave Syverson for securing $500,000 to kickstart phase 1 of this project, expected to be completed by 2026. Join our team by supporting the project through donations. To read more about this project, or to donate, visit: tinyurl.com/2p9absbm.

Take a look at this throwback photo of our squad car from back in the day compared to our new ones! 🚔 While much has changed between these two images, one thing always remains constant: our officers' pride in serving our community and maintaining the beauty of our parks and facilities! 🚨 Interested in joining us? Apply to be a Park District Police Officer. ℹ️ tinyurl.com/mr2pre5f #HiringAlert #CareerOpportunity

👃🌱 WHAT IS THAT SMELL? | Our Titan Arum, also known as the "Corpse Flower," nickname coined as "Grimace," is about to bloom for the first time since July 21, 2021, at the Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens. This unique plant is called the corpse flower because when it blooms, it emits a smell similar to rotting meat or burnt sugar. The corpse flower blooms every 2-3 years, and the bloom only lasts for 24-48 hours! 🎥 Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens has set up a live feed and will post updates, including extended hours, on social media during the bloom. ℹ️ https://lnkd.in/gWR_bMzB #CorpseFlower #TitanArum #NicholasConservatory #BloomWatch

In addition to being named AAU Central District Track Club of the Year, we are sending 35 athletes to the AAU Junior Olympics in Greensboro, North Carolina, starting today through August 3rd. 🏃♀️💨 We are immensely proud of our athletes and their accomplishments, and we're excited to see the continued growth of Track & Field in the Rockford area. Help us wish good luck to our athletes, and to our track club as we are a finalist for the title of 2024 AAU National Club of the Year! #Track #AAU #JuniorOlympics #Rockford #YouthSports #CommunityFirst

🎉🌹 Celebrating 100 Years: Sinnissippi Rose Gardens - Then ➡️ Now Established and built in 1924, the Sinnissippi Rose Garden has been a cherished destination for generations of families. Over the past century, it has become a favorite spot for family photos, prom pictures, and engagement shots. Many residents of Rockford carry memories of the gardens from different times in their lives. While the gardens have changed over time, the charm and beauty have remained the same. Learn more about the history of the Sinnissippi Gardens: https://lnkd.in/gYaWAPq2