January 30, 2025 Update from the Mayor

January 30, 2025 Update from the Mayor

Hickory Hills Senior Club Seeking New Members

The Hickory Hills Senior Club has availability for new members.  This is a wonderful, active organization that meets approximately every other week at our Hickory Hills Community Center at 7800 W. 89th Place.  The club offers a great way to socialize and meet neighbors or reconnect with old acquaintances.  The club enjoys occasional lunches and group trips to places of interest.  If you are at least 55, live in Hickory Hills and have interest in becoming a member of the Hickory Hills Senior Club, then please call City Hall at 708/598-4800 and ask for Mary Esposito.  Mary will take down your name and phone number and a senior club board member will then contact you.   

Veterans Park (small park adjacent to city hall) Planned Improvements

I am pleased to share some visual images of the planned improvements for the Veterans Park, the small park to the west of city hall.    The park improvements are expected to be completed this summer.  The improvements will include ADA compliant access and paths, improved landscaping, memorial garden area to honor our military, increased seating, two pergolas, small water feature and specialty stamped pavers.  We host many community events at city hall, such as the Veterans Ceremony, Farmers Markets, Halloween Trunk or Treat, Arbor Day, and Lights of Hickory to name a few.  This park certainly will be a much improved gathering space for these events and for all to enjoy. 

Amazing Osprey Journey

Several years ago members of the Cook County Forest Preserve wildlife staff banded an osprey as a chick in the Cook County Forest Preserves near Lemont.  This banded osprey was discovered injured in Columbia…not Missouri or South Carolina, but Columbia, South America!  Osprey are known for long distance migration of around 1,000 miles which is amazing to think about.  This osprey journeyed 2,000 miles!  Fortunately, a good Samaritan discovered the injured bird in Columbia and brought it to a local organization to be nursed back to health. 

Thanks to journalist Nuha Abdessalam for her story in the Desplaines Valley News, “Osprey defies odds with South American migration”!  The photo was part of Nuha’s excellent article.

Take care,

Mayor Mike