Park district notes

From Roy Logan, program coordinator

[August 14, 2013]  Registration for men's basketball is currently going on at the Lincoln Park District. Games will be played at the park district's sports complex on Sunday afternoons, beginning Sept. 8. The first set of games will start at 1 p.m. This will be a 10-game season with a double-elimination tournament. Registration fees will cover the costs of two officials and a scorekeeper. Registration deadline is Aug. 26. More information is available at the front desk in the administration office. Rosters and waivers may be picked up there. Fees and completed rosters and waivers should be returned to the front desk also.

The park district has had a great women's softball season. Tournament play begins Thursday, Aug. 8, at 6 p.m. Anyone is welcome to come out and watch the teams play through the brackets. The tournament will play out over the next three weeks, with the championship game beginning Aug. 22 at 6 p.m. All games are played at the triplex nearest the skate park on the park district grounds.

It's hard to believe it's August already. So that means the Lincoln Art & Balloon Festival is just around the corner. The park district has partnered with the city of Lincoln to offer a sidewalk chalk art event again. You may register at the park district and are asked to do so by Sunday, Aug. 18, during regular business hours. Artists will be informed of their location via a phone call. You may plan on drawing your artwork on Thursday, Aug. 22. Each registration will include chalk and sealant. Only chalk should be used, NO crayons or markers. You may enter as an individual or as a team or classroom.

Join in the park district's first-ever Up Up & Away 5K on Sunday, Aug. 25, at 9 a.m. This run will be timed by the Bloomington Lake Run Club. Awards will be presented to the top male and female winners along with age group winners: 19 and under, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, and 60 and over. Your bib number must be visible at the finish line to be considered for awards. Cost for the run is $20 if registered by Aug. 16 and $25 after Aug. 16. Packet pickup with T-shirts and goodie bag will be on Friday, Aug. 23, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. at the Lincoln Park District Fit Zone or at the Sunday morning check-in, 7:30-8:30. Registration forms are available at the Fit Zone or sponsor locations: Graue Inc., Chris Coyne State Farm office or Camel's Hair'em. Thanks to Twin City Upholstery and Seth Goodman for their sponsorship as well. Printable registration forms are also available on the park district website. (See publicity.)

The course for the 5K is fast and fun. It will begin at the park district parking lot, continue down Wyatt Avenue, left on Home Avenue, up the hill and back to the park district. Before the race, enjoy a motivating cardio warm-up and stretching exercises. During the race, have fun at the water balloon stops. After the race, load up on healthy snacks and water along with more water balloons. It's planned as a morning of fun for the entire family.

Lincoln Park District is offering horseback riding lessons in conjunction with Breezy Bluff Riding Academy, McLean. Participants will meet at the stables for four Saturdays in September, beginning Sept. 7 from 11 a.m. till noon. Lessons are for children in first grade through adults. Adults should not weigh more than 285 pounds. This class for beginner or intermediate students is designed to serve both English and Western riders. Riders should be dressed in long pants, no necklaces or bracelets, and have proper footwear -- hard, smooth-soled shoes or boots with at least a 1/2-inch dropped heel. Do NOT wear tennis shoes or flip-flops. Registration opened Aug. 5 and is on a first-paid, first-served basis with a waiting list. There is a class minimum of five and a maximum of 10 in each session. Early registration is strongly encouraged.

[Text from file received from Roy Logan, Lincoln Park District]