Volunteer groups help clean Orland Park

With 63 parks, the Village of Orland Park lives up to its name containing the word park.

Residents can help keep these properties clean and litter free in the Adopt-A-Park program.

The program began a number of years ago with the goal of having parks throughout the village adopted by local groups and organizations. Those groups can help maintain the property by collecting debris and removing litter during May, June, September, and October.

Coordinated through the Orland Park Recreation and Parks Department, groups that are interested in the program need to fill out and submit an application, along with release forms for all participants. Available parks may be adopted on a first come first served basis.

Beginning on Earth Day of each year — with mandatory participation at the clean-up at John Humphrey Complex — groups then commit to one day per month of service. Groups may consist of neighborhood associations, scout troops, businesses, community or youth groups. Participants must be age 18 or older, unless they are part of a youth or scout group with an adult supervisor. Those groups are limited to five participants for each adult leader.

Tasks include cleaning up, bagging debris, and collecting trash in the assigned parks. No landscaping, weed pulling, pruning or trimming is authorized. Groups are responsible for adherence to all rules and guidelines, and will supply own tools, bags, buckets, etc. for debris collection and/or recycling.

Aside from the aesthetic benefit to the parks, the program provides an opportunity for local organizations to be involved in the community.

As noted in the Adopt-a-Park guidebook, “It is also a great way for groups to spend quality time together outdoors and help keep our parks cleaner in the process.”

In the past, the following groups have “adopted” parks within the village: Eye Level Learning, Friends of Long Run Creek Park, Muslim Youth of Orland Park, Standard Bank and Southwest Community Services. Some groups have been participating since the program started.

Information about the program, registration forms, and a list of parks in the village can be found at: www.orland-park.il.us/DocumentCenter/View/23841

To thank groups for participating in the project, the organization’s name will be acknowledged on a plaque at Centennial Park.

Irene Buikema, recreation operations manager for the Orland Park Recreation Department said, “We would love to see the majority of our parks adopted.”

Community Gardens

A village program is offering community garden plots for rent.

Located on Brookhill Drive in Discovery Park in the Brookhills subdivision, there are 21 plots, each 16 feet by 16 feet. Each plot is $30 for residents; $45 for non-residents.

Plots are issued on a first come, first served basis, with no more than two plots per registrant. To register, contact the Orland Park Parks and Recreation Department at (708) 403-6219.

The Parks Department will mark the individual plots, till the soil, and put recycled street grindings for the pathways between the plots. Picnic tables are available. Receptacles for trash and garden waste also are available.

Information found at: http://www.orland-park.il.us/index.aspx?nid=1017

Camp Quality Illinois Bowl-A-Thon Fundraiser

Camp Quality Illinois provides a summer camp experience and year round support for children with cancer, and their families.

But program needs support – both financially and by volunteer efforts to operate.

From 8:00 p.m. until midnight Saturday, a Bowl-A-Thon will be held at Tinley Park Lanes, 7601 W. 183rd St., Tinley Park. to raise funds for the camp program.

Register at www.campqualityusa.org/il Click on SUPPORT US on the bottom right corner. Registration insures enough bowling alleys will be available, and includes bowling, shoes, food and fun!

Cost is $25.00 a person, or just come for food and fun for $10.00 a person. There will be a silent auction and raffles through the night.

For more information about Camp Quality, visit www.campqualityusa.org/il.