Carol Stream Park District celebrates Just Play
If the thought of bouncing at the end of a bungee cord sounds thrilling, or the idea of dangling from a zip line appeals, mark Saturday, May 21, on the calendar and head to Carol Stream.
For no charge, the Carol Stream Park District will give visitors a chance to try both activities, plus a slew of other recreational adventures, at its annual "Just Play" event.
"It's a completely free community event," said Mary Frusolone, the park district's special and community events supervisor. The only exception is food, which will not be free but will be available for purchase.
In its 11th year, Just Play will offer about 100 different activities for a crowd that is expected to number from 4,000 to 6,000 people.
"We'll have a little bit of activities for every age group," Frusolone said.
The park district has hired The Fun Ones, a Carol Stream business that provides event rentals throughout the Chicago area, to provide games and events.
Zip lining is one of the most in-demand activities.
"We run that out about 200 feet. There are two lines, side-by-side. The tower itself is about 28 feet tall, so (zip-liners) are about 20-some feet up in the air," said David Spata, sales manager for The Fun Ones.
The ride can accommodate people who weigh 35 to 200 pounds, reaches speeds of about 20 mph and lasts five to seven seconds, he said.
The bungee ride, known as eurobungy, features a bungee-style drop combined with trampolines.
"They can bounce as high as 20 feet. Kids love it," Spata said.
The company also will install a climbing wall that can accommodate five climbers at a time.
Frusolone said an iceless skating rink with a synthetic plastic surface will be available. Skates will be provided.
Among the newly added activities this year are disc golf and human billiards, she said.
She said there also will be human foosball, an inflatable version of archery and games known as "wrecking ball" and "gaga ball."
Because most of the outdoor activities are weather dependent, Just Play also will offer several indoor activities in the recreation center, including scuba diving, paddle boarding and kayaking in the pool, table tennis, basketball and cookie decorating.
"It's an incredible event. It's our biggest event of the year," Frusolone said. "It's a huge undertaking. But we literally sit and plan for a year. It's almost 100 percent funded by sponsors."
On-site free parking is available at the Town Center and at Fountain View Recreation Center. Free shuttle buses will transport visitors from off-site parking at 200 E. Lies Road every 30 minutes.
Friendly, socialized, leashed dogs are allowed at the festival.
Frusolone said the event is open to the community at-large. It is presented with the help of several community organizations, including the police and fire departments, the public library, the schools and the historical society.
Park district staff also comes out in force to support the event with theater, gymnastics and karate demonstrations.
"Every one of our park district groups will be represented," she said. "The purpose is to get people out of the house and try something different."
If you go
What: Just Play
Who: Carol Stream Park District
Where: Ross Ferraro Town Center, Gary Avenue and Lies Road, Carol Stream
When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 21
Admission: Free
Info: csparks.org or (630) 784-6100