Carol Stream parks urges residents to unplug at JustPlay!
For decades, Nike has been telling athletes "Just do it."
Then Lady Gaga urged all of us to "Just dance."
And the Carol Stream Park District?
They want kids to JustPlay!, which is why staff is hosting the 11th annual event with that moniker on Saturday, May 16, in eight different "zones" - both indoors and out - throughout the Ross Ferraro Town Center in Carol Stream.
The following zones feature interactive activities, demonstrations and performances: Northwestern Medicine Action Zone, Baird Performance Arena, Fountain View Fitness Zone, ActivKids Zone; Party Zone, Sport Court Zone, Water Sports Zone and Public Safety Zone.
"It really is a way for us to get people outside and kind of disconnect from electronics for a day," said Mary Frusolone, Carol Stream Park District special event recreation supervisor. "We target it and customize to different age groups, because we really want to make this something for everyone."
JustPlay! is the park district's largest annual event, attracting between 4,000 and 6,000 people, and requiring between 40 and 60 volunteers as well as the district's entire staff.
The day's activities go well beyond sports, however, because park district staffers want residents to explore any passion they might have. New non-sports activities for this year's event include Disney's "Frozen" Princess Cabaret in the Baird Performance Area and mural creating in the Party Zone.
Other new activities for this year include:
• Baird Performance Area: Springers of Carol Stream; Iceless Ice Skating.
• Fountain View Fitness Zone: Piloxing Party fitness demonstration.
• Public Safety Zone: AAA driving simulator; Carol Stream Police cars on display; Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics.
• ActivKids Zone: Dance with a Mascot; middle school programs; flag football; backyard games; Glenbard North High School golf chip shot skills, baseball skills, track and field events, and football skills/hurdle football; Chicago Bubble Soccer-Knocker Ball; Human Foosball; Inflatible Safe Archery/Ten Ring Archery; Parkour by Art du Deplacement Chicago.
• Party Zone: Birthday Party Extravaganza; Disney Princess Cabaret.
• Sports Zone: Field goal kicking; Glenbard North Wiffle Ball Homerun Derby and badminton; Naperville Tennis Academy; Glenbard North tennis; basketball free throw contest; Water Battleship.
And while JustPlay is an important showcase for all the park district has to offer, staff also brings in activities from local schools and nearby organizations, so participants can explore the full suite of activities available in their area. This includes activities like the Chicago Fire Soccer Club in the Northwestern Medicine Action Zone and Bartlett Nature Center exhibits in the ActivKids Zone.
The day includes nearly 100 total activities and exhibits, all free, so it's critical that visitors explore the schedule at csparks.org and plan to make time for all of their favorites.
"Kids really love the event and we try to bring in new activities each year to keep it fresh," Frusolone said. "We're trying to tell people to come out as family and play, come out as a couple, or come out as an individual."
The event also includes a Just Run 5K for ages 10 and older at 8 a.m. on Saturday starting in Bierman Park, 1253 Woodlake Drive, Carol Stream. The race benefits the Carol Stream Park District scholarship program.
For children ages 6 to 14, there is also a 1K Run/Walk option that begins at 9:30 a.m. in the park. Registration begins at 6:30 a.m. for both races. Overall winners will receive gift certificates and first-place finishers in each age group receive a free pair of Nike shoes. Medals will be given to the top three finishers in each age group.
The cost to register is $30 for adults and $15 for the 1K. Register at csparks.org or at the Simkus Recreation Center, 849 W. Lies Road, Carol Stream.
If you go
What: JustPlay!
Who: Carol Stream Park District
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 16
Where: Ross Ferraro Town Center, Gary Avenue and Lies Road, Carol Stream
Cost: Free
Info: csparks.org