New Lenox Park District Reports 12.7% Programming Surge, Celebrates $10,000 Resident Donation to LWSRA

New Lenox Community Park District Board of Commissioners Meeting | January 21, 2026

Article Summary:
Buoyed by strong community participation, the New Lenox Community Park District recorded a nearly 13% increase in overall recreation registrations from 2024 to 2025. The district also highlighted strong athletic league numbers, a profitable winter season at the Christmas in the Commons Ice Rink, and a major surprise financial donation to its special recreation association.

Recreation and Programming Key Points:

• Commissioner Ott reported a 12.7% increase in overall park district registrations between 2024 and 2025.

• The Christmas in the Commons Ice Rink operated for 55 hours and generated a profit despite extreme cold weather affecting sales.

• A local resident made a surprise $10,000 donation to the Lincolnway Special Recreation Association (LWSRA).

• The Children’s Basketball League currently hosts 46 teams practicing weekly and playing games at Lincoln-Way West.

The New Lenox Community Park District Board of Commissioners on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, celebrated surging community engagement across its recreation departments, citing major double-digit growth in program registrations year-over-year.

During the Business Services report, Commissioner Ott highlighted a significant metric, reporting that overall district registration increased by 12.7% from 2024 to 2025. Commissioner Ott stated the surge “speaks to the strength of our programming by the recreation department.” Ott also utilized his report to congratulate Aurora Abbott on her promotion to Recreation Supervisor overseeing IT, and formally welcomed Natalie Norkiewicz as the district’s new Marketing/PR Coordinator.

Director of Recreation Olga Viano provided a recap of the district’s winter operations, specifically focusing on the Ice Rink at the Christmas in the Commons event in December. Viano noted that extremely cold weekends unfortunately affected sales, forcing the rink’s operating time down to 55 hours compared to the 60 hours recorded in 2024. Despite the weather-related hurdles, Viano reported the district was still able to turn a profit on the operation and expressed appreciation for the ongoing partnership with the Village of New Lenox.

Commissioner Fischer updated the Board on the district’s booming athletic programs, highlighting the Children’s Basketball League. The league currently boasts 46 teams holding weekly practices, with games hosted on Sundays at Lincoln-Way West. Fischer formally thanked Burns Photography for conducting the team and individual pictures for the massive league.

In addition to athletics, Fischer reported strong turnout for the district’s holiday events. In December, 23 participants attended a bus trip to the Paramount Theater in Aurora to see “White Christmas,” while another 21 participants joined the North Shore Chicago Christmas Bakery Bus trip to sample sweets across four bakeries. The district’s annual Noon Year’s Eve party on December 30 drew over 150 attendees.

The district’s special recreation partners also delivered positive news. Associate Executive Director Lea Pipiras reported that the Lincolnway Special Recreation Association (LWSRA) received a surprise visit from a resident who dropped off a $10,000 donation check. Pipiras also reported that LWSRA hired new facility maintenance staff member Andrew Farkas and welcomed intern Sandy Garcia from the University of Francis. While LWSRA recently passed an audit presentation, their distinguished agency accreditation has been pushed back to 2027 while they secure a new mentor.