Frankfort Park District Operations Return To Normal

FRANKFORT, IL — Illinois fully reopened on Friday, increasing capacity limits back to pre-pandemic levels. With the state's reopening, Frankfort Park District has also resumed normal operations.

The park district said individuals not fully vaccinated must wear a face mask in park district facilities or outdoors when social distancing is not possible.

“We are happy things are finally moving in a positive direction. The events put on by both the Park District and the Village bring out a sense of community in Frankfort," Stacy Proper, superintendent of recreation said in a release. "This past year has been hard for the Park District not to be able to offer those opportunities to the residents. The events we did offer were limited with restrictions in place, so we are excited our events are opening up for families to enjoy.”

The park district has announced several events for the summer, although some events have been impacted as planned for the return to normal affected the event.

The Fourth of July will still be celebrated with fireworks at Main Park, but will not include a full-day of activities like in the past. The fireworks will begin at 9:15 p.m. and is sponsored by the Frankfort Park District, Village of Frankfort, Frankfort Chamber of Commerce, Frankfort Firefighters Foundation and FrankfortFirefighters Local 4338. The show can be seen from Main Park, as well as areas around downtown Frankfort.

Other events like Movies on the Green and Short Run on a Long Day 5k run/walk will also be held this summer.

“We are excited to announce the return of the Short Run 5k. Runners were disappointed that initially the Park District was offering a virtual option again this year but once restrictions lightened, we were able to plan the return of the race live and in person. This year’s race will be a different date but same route our runners love,” Cali DeBella, recreation supervisor, said in a release.

The race was pushed back to July 29 in hopes that the state would reopen, and the event could be held in-person.

“The Park District appreciates the cooperation that has been made by those who participated during the pandemic. It has been a year of ups and downs. Staff worked to be responsive to the ever-changing COVID mitigation rules and we are grateful for the willingness of our residents to work with us," Executive Director Gina Hassett said. "We aren’t throwing away our signs regarding COVID mitigation rules, but we will tuck them away and hope the next time we pull the signs out it will help us to remember how far we have come and that we can all work together to protect one another. We look forward to seeing and hearing all the participants back in our
facilities.”