'Bark Park' on agenda for spring in Batavia

A dog park is scheduled to open in Batavia this spring.

The Batavia Park District hasn't scheduled a grand opening yet, but plans to open the "Bark Park" at the West Main Community Park soon.

The 3-acre park will have trees and a "doggy beach" with water access. The district will use it for special events and dog-training classes.

The dog park has been a constant request over the years, according to park district Executive Director Mike Clark.

The park, at 40W101 W. Main St., already has soccer and baseball fields, basketball courts, walking paths and picnic shelters.

The Batavia Parks Foundation has raised $1,200 toward the park and is still fundraising. Anyone interested in donating can send checks to the Batavia Parks Foundation, Attn: Dog Park, 327 W. Wilson St., Batavia 60510.

Leadership talk: Stephanie Pace Marshall, founding president of the Illinois Math and Science Academy and a former Batavia school district superintendent, will be the featured speaker for "Books Between Bites" on Thursday.

Marshall will discuss her book, "The Power to Transform: Leadership that Brings Learning and Schooling to Life." The book received the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International 2007 Educator's Award.

The talk will be from noon to 1 p.m. at the library, 10 S. Batavia Ave. Anyone coming can bring their own lunch or pre-order a meal for during the program.

Bags tournament: The Batavia Park District will host a bean bags tournament for adults at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 23 at the Eastside Community Center at 14 N. Van Buren St.

The $50 entrance fee for teams of two includes at least three games, drinks, snacks and child care. Part of the fee is tax-deductible.

There are prizes for first, second and third places. Participants have to be at least 21.

A registration form is available on the district's Web site, www.bataviaparks.org, or by calling (630) 879-5235.

Too much junk? If your New Year's resolution involved any cleaning, you might be interested in joining a new Batavia club.

The Fox Valley Clutter Club will meet from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Jan. 22, Feb. 26 and March 25 at the Batavia Library, 10 S. Batavia Ave.

Batavia resident Barb Gould, who owns Bright Start Organizing, will lead the free sessions, detailing how to fix clutter problems.

To reserve a spot, visit www.brightstartorganizing. com, or call Gould at (630) 677-5604.

Small business network: Surviving the economic slowdown will be the topic of a forum hosted by the Congregational Church of Batavia Small Business Networking group and Batavia MainStreet on Jan. 31.

The free event will be held from 8 to 10 a.m. at the church, 21 S. Batavia Ave. Internet and mass marketing, personal marketing and changing sales into profits will be discussed.

To register, e-mail Ellen Huxtable at ellen@advantage-biz.com.

lhague@dailyherald.com