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Health & Fitness

New Green Initiative at the Des Plaines Park District

Green initiatives are a priority at the Des Plaines Park District. As stewards of the community’s open spaces, parks, and natural resources, the District strives to reduce its carbon footprint on a daily basis. The District has implemented recycling throughout the parks and facilities, reducing the amount of waste sent to landfills; installed more energy efficient lighting, heating, and pool drain systems, reducing utility costs and conserving water; and committed to protecting their ash trees during this most recent Emerald Ash Borer infestation. In keeping with these core green values, the Des Plaines Park District will reduce the number of Spectrum program guides printed each season. Approximately 24,000 books have been printed and mailed to Des Plaines Park District residents four times a year, with another 3,000 distributed each season. Beginning with the Winter 2014 book, only about 10,000 books will be printed. The books will be available in all Park District facilities, at the Des Plaines Public Library, the Des Plaines History Center, and City Hall. The reduction in number of Spectrum printed will save the District many thousands of dollars. In addition, the District will now not incur any costs for mailing.

“Two forces governed our decision to reduce the number of Spectrum printed,” said John Hecker, Executive Director, “the economy, and our commitment to being as environmentally friendly as possible. The Spectrum has always been available on our website as a document that can be downloaded. We will continue to have this electronic version of the Spectrum and use today's technology to communicate with you, so you will know when the Spectrum is available.” “The online version of the brochure will continue to be more interactive each season, to make it easier for families to find what they want and register right from their computer, tablet or smartphone,” said Gene Haring, Marketing and Communications Manager.

Families will know that the new printed and online Spectrum is available by visiting the Des Plaines Park District website, www.DPParks.org, as well as by checking Facebook and Twitter. Information will be posted in all District facilities, and at the Library, City Hall, and History Center. All Park District staff, including the coaches and instructors, will have a publication schedule. E-mail newsletters will be sent to current and past participants. “Signs will be up in all of our facilities, and the information will be on the electronic sign in front of Prairie Lakes,” Hecker said. “We believe this is a step in the right direction for not only being green, but also in today’s digitally-minded environment.”

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The Winter Spectrum Program Guide is available online as of November 8. Printed copies will be available the week of November 25 at the Leisure Center, 2222 Birch St; Golf Center Des Plaines, 353 N. River Road; Prairie Lakes Community Center, 515 E. Thacker St., as well as at City Hall, the Library, the Frisbie Senior Center, and the History Center. Stop in and pick on up or visit the website, www.DPParks.org and view the book online. For more information about this new green initiative, visit www.DPParks.org or call 847-391-5700.

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