Monday Park Playbook: It’s football season; anything can happen!

You can feel it in the air. The days are getting cooler, the sun is setting earlier, and the Bears opened the NFL season with a win over the Bengals 24-21 and then went on to beat the Vikings 31-30. Bear down, Chicago Bears!

At the Des Plaines Park District, we are ready for football season, too, with our first NFL Punt, Pass & Kick skills competition for kids ages 6-15. This is a free competition where young football fans have the opportunity to show off their punting, passing, and place kicking skills. First place finishers advance to a sectional competition, and may advance to the State and National Finals.

Every contestant is allowed one punt, pass, and kick in this competition. Scores are based on distance and accuracy, with winners determined by the highest cumulative score. Boys and girls compete in separate divisions based on age: 6-7, 8-9, 10-11, 12-13 and 14-15.

All over the country, volunteers are the reason the Punt, Pass & Kick is so successful. We need your help to make this a great event for Des Plaines area kids. Love sports? Got spirit? Then come and be a part of this exciting community event. Make a difference! Contact Josh Cantres, Athletic Supervisor at 847-391-5711, or via e-mail: jc@DPParks.org. The competition takes place at Prairie Lakes Park on Sunday, September 22 from noon to 3:00pm.

We’ve got spirit! How about you?

For our Bears Game Day fall special, every Sunday at Golf Center Des Plaines range balls are just seven cents from opening through the end of the big game. Wear your favorite Bears’ gear and receive a five dollar bonus on your $30 range card purchase. 3-5-3  Hike! Golf Center Des Plaines is located at 353 North River Road, one block north of Golf Road. For more information, visit www.DPParks.org

See you around the parks!