Des Plaines Park District invites you to get moving Thanksgiving morning

The Des Plaines Park District is encouraging a healthier holiday by offering three complimentary activities on Thanksgiving morning. The park district also wants to kick off the holiday season by giving back.

"The park district is thankful every day for the residents of this community," said Jennifer Boys, assistant superintendent of Recreation. "We thought we would use this day of thanks to show them how much we appreciate them."

The first activity is a Fitness Class Trio from 8-9:30 a.m. The park district has stuffed three popular classes into one Turkey Day Workout. The first half-hour will be a Tabata workout. Tabata is a high intensity interval workout structured in four-minute blocks meant to burn more fat in less time. Then the class will move on to strength training for a half-hour. For the finale, the class will slow down and relax with yoga. This will help participants prepare for the remainder of the day and keep Black Friday shopping stress free. Park district instructors, Tina Cotsiopoulos, Susan Gleeson, and Lisa Kelley will teach this three-part class.

From 9:45-10:45 a.m. the park district is offering a free Community Walk on the Prairie Lakes Path. The total distance of the walk is 1.5 miles, but each person will be encouraged to walk as much or as little as they are able. The community walk is open to all ages but an adult must accompany those under 18. Check-in for the walk is in the front lobby.

Football and Thanksgiving go together like turkey and pumpkin pie. Beginning at 10 a.m., the park district is offering a fun, free game of pickup style Flag Football to all ages. (under 18 years old must be accompanied by adult.) This activity will end at noon.

All three activities will be held at Prairie Lakes Community Center, 515 E. Thacker St. in Des Plaines. There is no preregistration for any of these activities. All participants will be required to sign an on-site waiver.

Give thanks by giving! The Park District is encouraging those who attend one of these free activities to bring a donation for the local Des Plaines Self Help Closet & Pantry. Donations can include nonperishable food items; toiletries; cold-weather clothing (sweaters, coats) or accessories (hats, gloves, scarves); gift certificates to local food stores or cash.

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