“Don’t it always seem to go that you don’t know what you’ve got ’til it’s gone?” has recently been the soundtrack of my teaching gig with our park district. As the Pilates (mind-body exercise) teacher, I am just one of numerous instructors who’ve become Dole Center refugees due to some interior repair work expected to continue throughout the summer. Ugh. While we are being temporarily and graciously hosted by the Main Library, Stevenson and Barrie centers, Ridgeland Common and others?#34;well, if only we could click the heels of our ruby slippers: There’s no place like Dole, there’s no place like Dole …
Yes, we have been spoiled at the Dole Center. Appropriately clean, calming and inspirational, I would challenge you to find a better park district facility anywhere. In my opinion, the proof of its success lies in the fact that the Dole Center is much more than a facility?#34;it is an oasis and a community.
And I wish to take this opportunity to acknowledge, with much gratitude, the individuals who work at the Dole Center on a regular basis, who understand what it takes and are willing to go the extra mile to be their best. While I’m especially aware of and appreciative to Liz Visteen, Ms. Tish, and Mr. Love for all they do, there are countless others who, in big and small ways, upstairs and downstairs, give of themselves both personally and professionally to create an environment where the residents (and non-residents!) of Oak Park can partake of healthy lifestyle activities in a desirable, quality environment.
There’s no place like Dole.
Nancy Trock
Oak Park
