The Village of Park Forest’s Recreation, Parks & Community Health Department has officially welcomed a new member to its team: Reecy the Raccoon, the department’s first-ever mascot.

Reecy was unveiled during the Village’s celebration of Parks and Recreation Month in July. Residents were invited to vote among three mascot finalists: Reecy, Fitzy, and Oakley. Voting took place from July 15 through July 28, collecting over 100 submissions both online and through coloring pages. Reecy emerged as the winner with 52 votes, followed by Fitzy with 36 votes and Oakley with 18.

“We wanted a mascot that would be fun, approachable, and truly represent the essence of our department,” said Margarita Guzman, the administrative assistant for Recreation, Parks & Community Health. “Reecy the Raccoon stood out as a character capable of connecting with people of all ages, especially children and families.”

Guzman noted that the idea for a mascot had been in development for some time as a way to enhance community engagement and promote department programs in a playful and recognizable manner. 

“Having Reecy around makes it easier to bring excitement to our events, whether through social media or in person,” Guzman said. “We’ve already seen how much people enjoy the concept, and Reecy is quickly becoming a part of our team.”

Reecy is expected to make public appearances throughout the year, starting with the upcoming Fall Fest in September. 

“If everything goes as planned, Reecy will be dancing, waving, and celebrating alongside the community,” Guzman added. “So don’t be surprised if you see a raccoon popping up at your favorite Park Forest event soon!”