Clubs & Organizations

Interested in listing your Club or Organization in the Park Forest Recreation & Parks brochure? The Park Forest Recreation & Parks brochure is mailed to all households in Park Forest. Contact Carolyn Hoff at 708-748-2005 or email choff@vopf.com to discuss advertising opportunities and rates.

Winter 2018 Brochure

Garden Club of Park Forest
The Garden Club of Park Forest was founded in 1954 serving 63 years in the community. The club is instrumental in the advancement of gardening, conservation and promotion of civic beautification and related philanthropies. Meetings are usually held on the second Tuesday of each month at noon, unless otherwise specified at St. Mary’s Church, 227 Monee Rd., Park Forest. We welcome men and women to come, join us, and learn about gardening from Master Gardeners and other well versed gardeners in a friendly environment.
In January an informal meeting and Ala Carte Lunch will be held at the
Egg & I Restaurants in Chicago Heights. In April, we will host our
“Spring Tea”. For additional information call 708-747-3847. 

Kiwanis Club
The Kiwanis Club of Park Forest, celebrating the vitality of our community for 67 years, is dedicated to performing community service for young people, the aging, and the needy in local and international settings. The club sponsors Key Clubs at Rich Township High Schools and has repeatedly been recognized with Distinguished Club Awards. It will celebrate an amazing 67th Annual Kiwanis Pancake Day on Saturday, October 6, 2018 at Rich East High School. Club dinner meetings are held on the first Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at Carlo’s Restaurant in Chicago Heights. The club also plans special service projects on the third Tuesday of each month. Call Elmer Washington at 708-816-8089 or email: elchicwash@aol.com for additional information.

Scouts
Was your child’s team in first place this year? In Scouting, every child is a winner! They will also learn skills not available on the athletic field like first aid and cultural awareness. Children learn about the world around them and themselves. Scouting teaches lessons that truly prepare a person for life and builds self esteem. Scouting is an adventure that can last a lifetime. For Cubs to Boy Scouts, contact Ken Griggs at 708-748-9275 or kegriggs@juno.com. For Brownies and Girl Scouts, contact Mary Smith at maryrs50@yahoo.com.

League of Women Voters of the Park Forest Area (LWVPFA)

The League of Women Voters of the Park Forest Area (LWVPFA) welcomes all persons (female and male alike) who are interested in promoting responsible government at any level. Good government does not happen without active citizen participation. The LWVPFA studies issues, gets to know public officials, observes public meetings, lobbies on issues, registers voters and provides many educational services including candidates’ forums. The LWVPFA does NOT support parties or candidates, but deals only with issues. We continue to support and lobby for increased school funding.

Anyone interested in the LWVPFA should visit our website at www.lwvpfa.org or our Facebook page. Email barbmoorepf@gmail.com
for more information.

Park Forest Photography Club

Have a longing to take better pictures? Have a new camera and don’t know how to use the camera? Why not join the Park Forest Photography Club? We’ve been meeting in Park Forest since 1981 and presently meet at Freedom Hall on the second floor. We meet at 7:30 p.m. the 3rd Wednesday of each month except July and August. 

We have a short educational program each night and competition to help improve our skills. Each month a different photo challenge is the competition theme for novice level through advanced level. We compete in B & W, color and Alternative Process (artsy) for each skill level.

Membership is $35 per year. Visitors are invited to attend a meeting free of charge. We’d love to see you. For more information call Allan Fritz at 708-747-0747.

Park Forest Historical Society

We operate the 1950s Park Forest House Museum, 227 Monee Road, open Wednesdays and Saturdays 1:00 to 3:30 pm; or by appointment. Closed January. “Boomer Toys and Dolls” exhibit through March. Valentines decorations in February. Visit https://www.parkforesthistory.org for location, hours, donation and volunteer opportunities. The Park Forest Archive, 227 Monee Road, is open Friday 10:00 am to 12:00 pm, or by appointment. We are seeking volunteers to provide tours and to work on the collection. Local history programs are free and open to the public. Hall of Fame April 15. Contact Jane Nicoll at 708-481-4252; or email through our website.

Park Forest Toastmasters Club #1717

The Park Forest Toastmasters Club, chartered in 1955, embraces the Toastmasters International mission to empower individuals to become more effective communicators and leaders. Do you have a fear of public speaking? Would you like to learn how to be a confident and effective speaker and have fun in the process? Toastmasters is the best way to improve communication skills. The club meets every 1st and 4th Tuesday, 7:30 p.m. at Calvary United Protestant Church, 425 North Orchard Blvd., Park Forest, IL 60466. For more information call 708-283-0138.

FRIENDS OF THORN CREEK WOODS

Join Friends of Thorn Creek Woods and support the 985 acre Thorn Creek Nature Preserve and its Nature Center. Formed in 1969, Friends efforts ensured permanent protection for this unique open space enhancing Park Forest and the region. Friends volunteers build and repair trails, create exhibits, monitor species, staff the nature center, lead programs, and raise funds for programs and improvements. Members enjoy a quarterly newsletter and sponsor Earth Day, plus Spring and Fall meetings. Annual family membership is $20 or $50 for an organization; life membership is $200. For more information: 708-747-6320; thorn_creek@att.net ; http://tcwoods.org/; P.O. Box 113, Richton Park, IL 60471.