second playground build

 Let your community spirit shine! Plans are in the works for the second annual Community Playground Build beginning at 8 a.m. on Saturday, July 26 at Cobb Park located on Colonial Parkway between Routes 47 and 126.
           

The Yorkville Parks and Recreation Department is calling out to last year's volunteers who made the first annual Community Build at Hiding Spot Park such a great success in addition to inviting new community volunteers who would like to help reconstruct Cobb Park.
           

The current playground equipment is being replaced with new, state-of-the-art equipment. As is the practice with park development in Yorkville, a theme was chosen to appeal to children's imagination. And Cobb Park was no exception. When completed, Cobb Park will sport a gladiator theme and provide an accessible playground for children with disabilities to be able to easily navigate. The new park will have a playground for kids ages 2-5, and a separate area for kids 5-12, and an obstacle course.

This year we're looking for approximately 60 volunteers who are looking for a great opportunity to give something back to their community. No skills necessary! For your efforts will provide you with plenty of snacks throughout the day, a free volunteer t-shirt, a sense of accomplishment and bragging rights!

"This is a unique opportunity that will save the city approximately $12,000 in installation costs," said Dave Mogle, the city's Parks and Recreation director. "We are fortunate to work with the same playground equipment manufacturer as we did at Hiding Spot Park last summer. Because of the success of last year's community build there was no question that we would do this again. This is a great project that fosters cooperation and brings the community together and at the end of the day you have completed a playground that benefits the children of our city."

Volunteers must be 18 years of age or older.
           

 Last year, over 100 community members volunteered to construct musically themed Hiding Spot Park. During the process volunteers planted trees, spread mulch, built a pavilion and much more!
           

Additional volunteers and workers will be needed to help with various other responsibilities including providing food, managing tools, safety, and recreation activities for children the day of the build to keep them safely away from the construction site as equipment is being installed.

To register or for more information contact Laura Haake, park designer, at 630.553.8574 or lhaake@yorkville.il.us. Registering in advance guarantees you a FREE volunteer t-shirt!

Mark your calendars for this hands-on community effort. You can help us make our community a better place to live and work!

8:30 AM - 1 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Yorkville Home Depot to recycle CFL Bulbs

Home Depot has just made it easier for Yorkville residents to dispose of consumer compact fluorescent light bulbs. More popularly known as CFLs, these small versions of standard fluorescent lamps have several advantages and can use up to 75 percent less energy than incandescent bulbs, last up to 10 times greater, cost little to purchase, and provide quick return on investment. One disadvantage to using CFLs is that they contain mercury sometimes making it difficult to find a hazardous waste facility close by.

With the launch of Home Depot's new CFL recycling program, Yorkville residents can take their bulbs to the retailer's new location in Kendall Marketplace located at Cannonball Trail and Route 34.

Expired, unbroken CFL bulbs can be brought to the store and given to the Home Depot employee behind the service desk. The bulbs, according to Ron Jarvis, senior vice president of Environmental Innovation for Home Depot, will be managed responsibly by an outside environmental management company that will coordinate the CFL packaging, transportation and recycling to maximize safety and ensure environmental compliance.

The CFL recycling program is an extension of the Home Depot's Eco Options program. Launched in April 2007, Eco Options is a classification that allows customers to easily identify products that have less of an impact on the environment.

Residents can call the Yorkville Home Depot at 630.882.8159 for additional information.

3:27 PM - 1 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

Yorkville files pollution action against Hamman Farms

The United City of Yorkville, in two separate legal actions filed on June 4 with the Illinois Pollution Control Board, is requesting the Board to order a Yorkville area compost facility to cease all violations, pay civil penalties of up to $50,000, award costs and reasonable attorney fees, pay an additional civil penalty of $10,000 for each day that a violation occurred, and to grant other relief as deemed appropriate.

The two filings, one against the Illinois Pollution Control Board (IEPA) and Hamman Farms LLC together, and one against Hamman Farms LLC alone, are in response to the IEPA's approval of an April 10 request by the compost facility, Hamman Farms, LLC, to quadruple the amount of landscape waste it could place on its 2,200-acre property located west of Rt. 47 on Rt. 71.

Under the current Illinois Environmental Protection Act, 20 tons per acre per year is the allowable amount. Requests to apply additional compost must be approved by the IEPA.  On May 1, the IEPA approved the request allowing Hamman Farms to be the first and only Illinois site authorized to spread 80 tons of landscape waste per acre per year.

"The entire city council supported this action," Yorkville Mayor Valerie Burd said. "We want the residents who live near this facility, and the entire community, to know that we are willing to take a stand to ensure that the law is applied to everyone fairly and equally."

Yorkville's appeal of the decision contends that the agency's review of Hamman Farm's request was deficient. According to the suit, the city alleges that the IEPA failed to properly investigate whether Hamman's "soil characteristics or crop needs required the application of greater amounts of landscape waste" as specifically stated in the Illinois Environmental Protection Act.

Additionally, when Hamman Farm's made its request to the IEPA, a total of four soils samples were submitted. According to the Illinois Agronomy Handbook a sampling of one composite from each two and one half acre areas is recommended when conducting soil test analysis. Based on the 2,000 acres owned by Hamman Farms, a total of 900 soil samples should have been submitted for proper analysis.

The city also filed a second complaint against Hamman Farms for openly dumping litter and operating without a permit in violation of several sections of the Illinois Environmental Protection Act.

Residents living near the compost business, which is owned by Plano resident Donald Hamman and includes more than 700 acres annexed into Yorkville in 2006, have complained of debris and strong odors for years. Complaints of offensive odors and flying debris have escalated in the last year and have been documented by the city's Department of Building and Safety and the IEPA's own enforcement officers, who in 2007 cited Hamman for violations. An IEPA complaint documenting the alleged violations was forwarded by the IEPA to the Illinois Attorney General's office for prosecution last week within days of the filing of the City of Yorkville's legal actions.

In 2006 Hamman and Fox Moraine LLC approached the city with a proposal to build a landfill on a portion of the same 2,200-acre site. The Yorkville City Council voted down the proposal in May 2007 after 120 hours of hearings and testimony.  Hamman appealed the decision to the Illinois Pollution Control Board, where the case is still pending.

10:58 AM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Yorkville’s first Safety Fair

Learn how you can better protect yourself and your family during Yorkville's first Safety Fair.

The Yorkville Police Department is conducting this free event from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, July 26 in the parking lot of Old Second Bank, 26 W. Countryside Parkway.

 
A variety of on-hand demonstrations, information, and services will be available during this three-hour event to help inform you of safety precautions that you can use daily!

"This is our first Yorkville safety fair," said Sgt. Barry Groesh of the Yorkville Police Department. "We encourage all citizens of Yorkville to come out and take advantage of the variety of free programs we're offering." 

 
A few of the services include free shredding of confidential documents (4 box limit, please), children's automobile safety seat checks, easy medication disposal drop off and much more!

For more information call Mary Dalton at 630.385.6695 or Sgt. Barry Groesch at 630.553.8511.

10:55 AM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

McHugh road construction project

Roadway construction in the United City of Yorkville will begin in early July along McHugh Road between Spring and Walnut Streets. Aurora Blacktop, Inc. of Montgomery is the contractor for the project.

McHugh Road will be rehabilitated by removing and replacing the asphalt pavement. Pavement striping will be added to McHugh Road and cross walks will be marked at intersecting cross streets. This project also includes replacing missing, failed or sunken sections of sidewalk and curb. Construction is anticipated to take approximately four weeks to complete. The stone roadway base will be saved and repaired as necessary; therefore McHugh will be passable for local traffic. As construction progresses roadway closures may occur for short periods of time. Residents are encouraged to call the city's Engineering Department at 630.553.8545 for questions or additional information.

10:55 AM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Fine Art & Wine Festival centers on local artists, wineries

The festival runs Friday, June 27, 4 - 8 p.m. and Saturday, June 28, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. in picturesque Town Square Park, Rt. 47 and Main Street.

On Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., fine art, wine, and boxed lunches are together for the first time ever at this Yorkville event.

Wine tasting from numerous local wineries is now juicing up the Promenade of the Arts. Area wineries including Fox Valley Winery, Lavender Crest Winery, Illinois River Winery and more will be present on Saturday to share their specialties.

General Sales Manager for Fox Valley Winery Kevin Wirfs believes that variety is the most exciting part of a wine tasting.

"It's great when two wineries make the same thing; you can see how the taste varies from year to year, from one winery to another."

Wirfs is passionate about his work, and is excited the Fox Valley Winery will be present at the festival.

"Very few people are able to create a living out of their passion," he says, "but people who are in the wine industry do."

Illinois River Winery, located in Utica, is also excited to be a part of something new in Yorkville. The winery has long been in support of the arts. Two years ago, they started an 'Artist in Residence' program, where artists can stay in their winery apartment up to three nights at no cost, in exchange for one piece of art that they have created "in residence" with the village of Utica.

Some of the types of wine available from Illinois River include their Catawaba Blush, voted best blush wine in America, and the fruity, sweet Red Truck.
Wine maker Gregg Kane has some tips for anyone who is new to the wine tasting scene.

"Start with the driest wines," he suggests, "which usually means the red wines – they're sweetest." But the best rule of thumb is also the easiest to remember: "Drink what you like."

And that'll be easy to do while enjoying fine artwork in the park.

 
Local area artists might be glad to know that organizations supporting the arts are working together. Artist Holly Butlett of Harding, Ill. is excited to participate in her second 'Promenade of the Arts' event.

"Last year it was totally rained out, so I'm looking forward to this year!" she says. She is also looking forward to the new wine tasting segment of the festival. "It's a great combination," she says.

Butlett works mainly with watercolors and acrylic on canvas, and is interested in nature and botanical art. "I love being outdoors," she says. "When someone looks at a plant, and they may not see something…the best is when you're able to teach someone something," she says about her artwork.

So come enjoy an afternoon or evening in the park, listen to music and enjoy wine and a boxed lunch provided by the Village Grind Too in Town Square. Who knows, maybe you'll learn something new!

Festival runs Friday, June 27, 4 - 8 p.m. and Saturday, June 28, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. in picturesque Town Square Park, Rt. 47 and Main Street.

Free admission. Fee for wine tasting and boxed lunches. For more information or an application, please contact 630.553.4357.

7:37 AM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Music Under the Stars

'Music Under the Stars' is getting you moving June 13 and 27 at Town Square Park, Rt. 47 and Main Street in Yorkville as part of  the United City of Yorkville's new Series of Playful Events from this June through April of 2009.
Enjoy live music that'll make you want to get up and dance, plus free family activities and free chalk for drawing!

On the 13th, enjoy '70s and '80s music by the Retrorockets! Then on the 27th, enjoy the reggae stylings of the Roots Rock Society. Each 'Music Under the Stars' features a new band, so don't miss these exciting events! Concerts run from 7 – 9 p.m. in the park.

Kids – bring your Playful Event Passports to all our Playful Events in June and collect stickers at each for cool prizes! If you haven't gotten yours yet, pick one up at Parks and Recreation, 201 W. Hydraulic, or at any Playful Event. Receive your first prize when you attend seven events.

So hop, skip, or jump to get to all the FREE Playful Events we've planned for June!
           

For more information on 'Music Under the Stars' or more Playful Events in the series, contact 630.553.4357 or 630.553.8564, or visit www.yorkville.il.us.

7:35 AM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Comprehensive Plan Open House offers entire draft for review

The United City of Yorkville's Plan Commission is hosting an open house on Thursday, June 19 at the Yorkville Public Library, 902 Game Farm Road, to display information related to the City's Comprehensive Plan update.

Between 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., stop by and learn some important information about the growth, development, and goals for the future of your neighborhood and city. Members of the Plan Commission, Citizens Advisory Committee, and city staff will be present to gather your input and answer questions.

The Plan Commission, with input from the City Council, formed a Citizens Advisory Committee which has met since November to assist the Plan Commission by providing input and recommendations for the update. The open house will give everyone an opportunity to review their work and provide additional input to this process. 

 
"The current comprehensive plan was prepared in 2002, with updates made in 2005. As the community grows, the comprehensive plan also needs to change to reflect this growth," Senior Planner Stephanie Boettcher explained. Hence the need for a new, updated plan in 2008.

Last March's open house presented background information, along with the current conditions and plans for the future on the topics of natural resources, infrastructure, and community facilities.

Since the March open house, revisions have been made to the information presented. Additional meetings of the Citizens Advisory Committee have also been held to discuss land use. 

"Whether you attended the March open house or not, everyone is encouraged to attend," said Boettcher. "Residents can view and submit comments on the entire draft of the Comprehensive Plan."

The June 19th open house will cover topics including land use; goals, objectives, and action plans refined to reflect the input of the March open house, existing conditions, and more. A draft of the future land use map will be on display.

The Park and Recreation Department will also have a draft of their Master Plan available for comment. Key areas of interest include plan recommendations, the conceptual trails map, sub planning areas, the Park and Recreation Department's mail survey results.

Following the June 19th open house, the Citizens Advisory Committee will make its formal recommendation to the Plan Commission.

"The open house in June is a great venue to submit comments or have questions answered before a recommendation is made to the Plan Commission by the Citizens Advisory Committee," said Boettcher. Feedback is important in this open house, as the Comprehensive Plan is presented in draft form.

Future progress of the City of Yorkville is impacted by the community members both individually and as a whole. Please stop by this free open house and fill out a feedback card. 

 
Please contact Travis Miller, Community Development Director, at 630.553.8573 with any questions.

7:33 AM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

New artist featured in ‘Art in City Hall’ this June

Yorkville Resident and Kendall County Arts Guild member Charles Wunder is displaying his unique and eye-catching artwork this June through August in Yorkville's City Hall. Wunder's works include acrylic paintings, conte crayon and pen and ink drawings, and handmade sheet and cast papers.

Wunder has been an artist all his life. As a youth, he took classes at the Davenport, Iowa Art Gallery. He eventually received his BA and Master's degrees from the Iowa State University College of Design.

Wunder developed his distinctive style early on, working with acrylic paints. His paintings were exhibited in juried art exhibits and fairs throughout the country. In the 1970s, he won a commission to do a mural in the Bettendorf, Iowa Public Library.

Wunder was one of the first artists in the country to explore handmade paper as an art form rather than a vehicle to paint or draw on. His sheet papers contained leaves, grasses, flowers, seed pods and twigs to provide texture and subtle coloring. He later studied making paper in Japan and Thailand. Back in the U.S., he developed techniques to make paper out of native prairie plants. His cast paper bas reliefs are made entirely out of cotton fibers.

Wunder's drawings have also been included in many juried exhibits. In 1986, he submitted works for the Iowa Drawing Invitational. His works of the Stone City, Iowa area site of Grant Woods Art Colony in the 1930s traveled to art galleries and museums for a year. His drawings have also been exhibited in the National Drawing Exhibition.

So come take a look at Wunder's work this summer. Stop by City Hall during open hours, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30, Monday through Friday, at 800 Game Farm Road in Yorkville. For more information on 'Art in City Hall' or for an application, please contact Glory Spies at 630.553.4350 or visit our Web site at www.yorkville.il.us

7:31 AM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

June kicks off one playful summer!

In efforts to become a 'Playful City USA' and be eligible for funding for new parks, recognition as a playful city and more, The United City of Yorkville is hosting A Series of Playful Events from June through April of 2009.

The first official Playful Event, 'Music Under the Stars,' kicks off the series on June 13, getting you hopping at Town Square Park, Rt. 47 and Main Street in Yorkville.

Enjoy live music by the Retrorockets that'll make you want to get up and dance, plus free family activities. There'll even be free chalk for drawing and fun kids' games!

The second 'Music Under the Stars' event, fourth in the Playful Event series, is June 27 at Town Square. This evening features the live music of the Rock Roots Society. All 'Music Under the Stars' concerts run from 7 - 9 p.m. in the park. 'Music Under the Stars' features a new band each night, so keep checking for updates on the next band!

Second in the Series is this summer's first 'Park Open House and Movie Night,' June 20 at Rotary Park in Grande Reserve. Join fun games and enjoy free food at our barbecue from 5 p.m. to dusk. Movies begin at dark. This week, get buzzing over Bee Movie! Don't forget your blanket and some popcorn!

Brand new this summer is Playful Event number three, 'Picnic in the Park,' June 25 at Cannonball Ridge, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.  Parks and Recreation staff will be on hand for free fun games and family activities!

Kids – bring your Playful Event Passports to all our Playful Events in June and collect stickers at each for cool prizes! If you haven't gotten yours yet, pick one up at Parks and Recreation, 201 W. Hydraulic, or at any Playful Event. Receive your first prize when you attend seven events.

So hop, skip, or jump to get to all the FREE Playful Events we've planned for June!

For more information on these or more Playful Events in the series, contact 630.553.4357 or 630.553.8564, or visit www.yorkville.il.us. Stay tuned for more events this summer!
 

7:29 AM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment