Duke Mallard: The Beloved Mascot of Oak Lawn Park District

Ducks frequent Wolfe Wildlife Refuge in Oak Lawn, but one stands out among them: Duke Mallard. Known fondly as The Duke, he became a popular figure during the Oak Lawn Park District’s Howl-O-Ween celebration. Duke is more than a simple duck; he is the Park District’s mascot, brought to life by an employee.

At Howl-O-Ween, attendees enjoyed various themed stations. These included a vampire station with a Guess the Vampire game and a Sesame Street section featuring Ernie’s Rubber Duck Game. Visitors also encountered a spooky setting with a witch, Paw Patrol characters, and a pumpkin patch. Through it all, Duke mingled with the crowd, delighting visitors.

“He’s adorable,” stated Jack Leiser, who attended with his wife, Martha, and their 1-year-old daughter, Lucy. Leiser, a former Park District employee, now serves as a firefighter in Chicago’s South Shore neighborhood. Wolfe Wildlife Refuge holds a special place in his heart, as it is where he proposed to Martha.

Young Lucy approached Duke with both curiosity and caution. Duke responded by performing a little dance, much to the family’s amusement. Jordan, a 6-year-old dressed as a werewolf, offered Duke an enthusiastic thumbs up.

Duke Mallard debuted around 2023 when the Park District needed a new mascot. Genae Grabowski, who was then operating the Zamboni at the Oak Lawn Ice Arena, brought Duke to life. As she transitioned into a role as a mixed media designer for the Park District, Grabowski crafted Duke’s image and integrated him into the Park District’s logo. Now working as a senior graphic designer for the village of Orland Park, she also contributed to writing Duke’s backstory with help from her supervisor, Justin Waters.

“The Park District had a mascot named Seemore Eagle, so we crafted a story where Seemore becomes Duke’s adoptive father in the world of parks and recreation,” said Grabowski. “Duke has transformed into the face of fun at Oak Lawn, engaging with friends and family in various programs and events.” Seemore still remains part of the park’s culture, though he does not appear in person like Duke.

The whimsical tale of Duke is featured on the Oak Lawn Park District website. Duke’s origins reflect parts of Grabowski’s own journey. “This story is a reflection of my feelings and dedication to my work at the District,” shared Grabowski.

In past events, she wore the Duke costume at a Chicago Sky WNBA game, visited Park District day camps, and appeared in programs like Little Learners and events like Howl-O-Ween and Summer’s Last Blast. Grabowski was the only one able to skate while wearing the Duke costume.

“Families love Duke, and kids are thrilled to have a beloved mascot from their hometown,” Grabowski noted.

The character also won over Park District employees. “Duke is a great ambassador for the district,” said Michael Sinkewich, Ice Arena and aquatics general manager. “Kids adore him.” Brandi Brumfield, cultural arts supervisor and leader of dance and theatre programs, echoed the sentiment. “I love Duke. He brings smiles and is so much fun,” she said. “He even dances with me.”