PEOPLE AND PLACES

Gold Medal Finalists Named

Eight Illinois park districts and forest preserves were named as Finalists for the 1997 National Gold Medal Awards, which are presented annually to communities throughout the United States for excellence in park and recreation administration in a partnership between the National Sporting Goods Association (NSGA), the NSGA Sports Foundation, and the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA).

• Lake County Forest Preserve District, Libertyville, Ill. Nominated by Play It Again Sports, Vernon Hills, Ill. (Class I, 260,000+ population)

• Champaign Park District, Champaign, Ill. Nominated by Gery & Al's Sporting Goods, Rantoul, Ill. (Class III, 50,000 - 100,000)

• Skokie Park District, Skokie, Ill. Nominated by Para-Gear Equipment Co., Skokie, 111. (Class III, 50,000 - 100,000)

Bolingbrook Park District, Bolingbrook, 111. Nominated by Palos Sports, Palos Heights, Ill. (Class IV, 20,000 - 50,000)

• St. Charles Park District, St. Charles, Ill. Nominated by George's Sports Center, St. Charles, Ill. (Class IV, 20,00(L- 50,000)

• Urbana Park District, Urbana, Ill. Nominated by Body N' Sole Sports Inc., Champaign, Ill. (Classy IV,20,000 - 50,000)

• Channahon Park District, Channahon,Ill. Nominated by Ken Woody's Shot and a Goal, Joliet, Ill. (Class V ,Less than 20,000)

• Itasca Park District, Itasca, Ill Nominated by Creative Awards, Elk Grove, Ill. (Class V, Less than 20,000)

The Grand Award winner in each class will be slected based upon improvement, service, continuing development, extent of future planning and degree of participant involvement and acceptance by the community. Winners will be announced and honored at the NRPA Congress to be held in Salt Lake City, Utah, in October.

Judges for the 1997 Awards are nationally recognized authorities in the field of park and recreation management. They are: Jane Boubel, Olympia Recreation and Cultural Services, Olympia, Wash; Richard Johns, city of Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, Calif; Dr. Ted Flickinger, Illinois Association of Park Districts, Springfield, 111.; Richard Zavala, Fort Worth Parks, Fort Worth, Texas; Gary Haller, Johnson County Park and Recreation District, Shawnee Mission, Kan.

NSGA's Sports Foundation is a nonprofit membership organization founded to stimulate interest in the development of new recreational activities and facilities and to encourage participation in sports. It established the National Gold Medal Awards Program in 1965.

Fenton Named SIU Alumnus of the Year

Gary Fenton, director of parks and recreation for the city of Columbus, Ohio, received the Outstanding Recreation Alumnus Award from Southern Illinois University at the annual awards banquet held April 11. Fenton has held a number of administrative positions in recreation including director of recreation for the cities of Roanoke, Virg.; Marion, Ohio; and Glenview, Ohio. Gary has also served on the Board of Regents for North Carolina State School of Sport Management, NPRAs Great Lakes Council and as president and treasurer of the Ohio Park and Recreation Association. Fenton received his degree in Recreation from Southern Illinois University in 1969.

Evanston Earns Clean Air Award

Evanston's Parks/Forestry and Recreation Department was recently recognized as a winner in the fight against ozone. On June 5, Partners for Clean Air, a voluntary coalition of business, industry, local governments and other organizations, identified Evanston as one of five organizations that sets the standard for taking actions to reduce ozone. Two years ago, Evanston's Environment Board joined forces with the Parks/Forestry and Recreation Department to develop workable activities to reduce air pollution on critical days. On "Ozone Action Days," Parks/Forestry and Recreation staff shift from lawn mowing to hand weeding; work closer to the municipal service center; refuel late in the day; reduce the idling of motors; and postpone use of solvents and paints. Evanston's ban on gas-powered backpack-style leaf blowers during the summer months is an example of municipal legislation thai helps reduce pollutants.

Bharat Mathur, chief of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency's Air Bureau, saluted Evanston's efforts, noting that "this kind of voluntary reduction activities reduces the need for regulatory actions by the Illinois EPA."

Partners for Clean Air reports that last year refueling was deferred by 70,000 people, and ground maintenance activities (lawn mowing, etc.) were deferred by over 80,000 employees in the northern Illinois and northwestern Indiana area. It's estimated that ozone activities by the 350 Partners lowered ozone pollutants by one to two tons per day. Individual effort also can help reduce ozone. An hour of lawn mowing produces pollutants equivalent to 100 miles of car travel.

Other organizations recognized by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency were American Airlines, Elkay Manufacturing Co., DuPage County, and the Indiana Department of Environmental Management. For more information, call the Ecology Center, 864.5181 or Partners for Clean Air, 1.800.451.5983.

Schaumburg Receives Tourism Grant

Governor Edgar's office recently announced that Schaumburg Park District has been awarded a $ 100,000 Tourism Attraction Grant. The grant will be used to improve the five-ballfield complex at Olympic Park, located at the southwest corner of Schaumburg and Martingale

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roads. Improvements include the lighting of all five ballfields, two soccer fields, and the construction of two basketball courts, a concession building, score-keeper area and an irrigation system for the ballfields.

The grant was awarded based on an application submitted by Schaumburg Park District using statistics from the Greater Woodfield Convention and Visitors Bureau. Olympic Park was dedicated last June on the occasion of an exhibition game by the U.S. Olympic women's softball team, gold medal winners during the 1996 Olympics. It is the future site of regional and national softball and soccer tournaments.

Converso Receives Director's Award

Lonna L. Converso

Lonna L. Converso recently received the 1997 Director's Award from Northeast DuPage Special Recreation Association (NEDSRA). Converso was cited for reaching a high level of excellence in her responsibilities over the past year as the director of public information. Converso has worked in the field of parks and recreation for seven years and holds a master's degree in Speech Communications (1993) from Northeastern Illinois University and a bachelors degree in Communications from Loyola University of Chicago (1988). Converso is a member of the Illinois Park and Recreation Association, the National Recreation and Park Association and the Public Relations Society of America.

Joseph C. DeLuce

Joseph C. DeLuce has been named director of recreation at the Champaign Park District. Formerly he was the Youth Sport Specialist at Human Kinetics Publishers. DeLuce has also served as the executive director at the Macon Georgia Sports Commission, the director of parks and recreation for Hallendale, Florida, and as a park and recreation superintendent with Broward County, Florida.

Doug Gaynor has been named director of parks/forestry and recreation with the city of Evanston. Originally a native of Michigan, Gaynor moved to California in 1986 to accept a position with the Santa Clara County Parks. Now the acceptance of the position in Evanston will allow him to return to the Midwest and be closer to family. The move will also offer Gaynor many new, unique and exciting challenges, as the Evanston department operates several beach areas along Lake Michigan, five multi-complex recreation centers, two ice skating rinks, and an ecology center, all of this in addition to the normal functions of this type of department. Gaynor was ap

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pointed to the position of director of parks and recreation for the city of Modesto in October 1992. During his tenure, he was responsible for successfully addressing several significant challenges facing the city and the department. Gaynor was president of the National Recreation and Park Association in 1996 and now serves as past president. He is a member of the NRPA Board of Trustees and was elected a Fellow in the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration.

Kim Evangelist! has been named the Youth Program coordinator for C-U Special Recreation. She graduated from Eastern Kentucky University in 1997 with a bachelor's degree in Therapeutic Recreation. Previously Kim completed an internship at the VA Medical Center in Danville. She is responsible for coordinating programs for preschoolers, youth, and teens with disabilities. C-U Special Recreation is a part of the Champaign and Urbana park districts.

Kim Evangelist

Patty Hermann has was hired as superintendent of recreation at Northern Suburban Special Recreation Association (NSSRA). Hermann will oversee recreation programs and services for adults and children with disabilities in the northern suburbs. Her prior job and educational experience include; Senior Spinal Cord Injury and Neuromuscular therapist at Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital;coordinator ofTherapeutic Recreation for the Chicago Park District, overseeing the agency's Special Olympics camps and tournaments, general adapted sports and other programs; and coordinator of the Before and After School Program for the Schaumburg Park District.

She earned a bachelor of science degree from Winona State University in Minnesota and a master of education degree in Therapeutic Recreation Administration from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale.

Patty Hermann

Sheila Wegner has been named special events coordinator at the Champaign Park District. Formerly she was the administrative assistant in Marketing and Creative Services at Wolfram Research, Inc. She received her bachelor's degree in Community Health from the University of Illinois in 1996. Wegner will oversee the Summer Concert Series, Day In the Park, Taste of Champaign-Urbana, and other district-wide special events.

Sheila Wegner

Charles T. Balling has been appointed executive director of the Gurnee Park District. Formerly director of leisure services for the Elmhurst Park District, he brings more than twenty years of experience in parks and recreation to the district. He is responsible for the overall management and performance of the district. Balling has been active in the Illinois Association of Park Districts and is well-known in the parks and recreation field for his customer service and marketing approach in the development of innovative leisure programs and services. Balling was part of the team that received the 1992 National Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management in Elmhurst.

Charles T. Balling

Susamma (Susie) Kuruvilla was hired by the Gurnee Park District as superintendent of business services. She is a certified public accountant, formerly with the village of Mundelein, and has 10 years of accounting experience. She will be responsible for financial reporting systems, financial statements, annual budget and appropriation levy, management information system and other projects. Kuruvilla will also serveas district treasurer, an appointed position by the Gurnee Park District board of commissioners.

Susamma Kuruvilla

Gayle Mountcastle joined the Park Ridge Recreation and Park District as superintendent of recreation bringing with her eleven years of recreation experience. For the past five years she has been the superintendent of recreation at the Streamwood Park District. She currently serves on the board of directors for the Illinois Park and Recreation Association. Mountcastle received a degree in Recreation and Park Administration from Illinois State University and a masters degree in Management and Business from National Louis University, Chicago.

Gregg Sabetta was appointed as the cultural arts supervisor of the Skokie Park District. He brings an extensive background in cultural arts. He worked for the Schaumburg Park District, formed many partnerships with area school districts, cities and other entities for the enhancement of community cultural arts. A graduate of DePaul University, Greg brings a gold mine of education, professional experiences and a passion for the arts to the Skokie Park District.

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Ahrens NRPA Institute Breaks Ground

The Ahrens National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) Institute, built to symbolize the Association's commitment to advancing park and recreation opportunities for all Americans, was dedicated at a ceremony on Friday, June 27.

Claude Ahrens, an Iowa businessman and philanthropist, initiated the drive for the Institute with a $1 million challenge-donation to the NRPA in October 1993. To date, nearly 1,000 citizens, professionals, and companies serving the industry have pledged just over $3 million toward the construction budget.

The Institute, which was conceived as a catalyst for the future growth of die parks and recreation movement, is located in a 120-acre portion of the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority's (NVRPA) Brambleton Regional Park. NVRPA will develop the land into a model park that eventually will contain sports fields, jogging paths, nature trails, and picnic sites, as well as an aquatic facility.

Home to NRPA's national headquarters, the state-of-the-art Institute is designed to embody parks and recreation - past and future. The Recreation and Parks Hall of Fame and the Joseph Lee Memorial Library, a research and archival library for the public and members of the park and recreation field, will be housed diere. The facility also includes an auditorium and classrooms for conducting seminars and educational courses.

The NRPA headquarters and staff are scheduled to move to the building in mid-July.

The National Recreation & Park Association (NRPA), headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, is a national nonprofit organization devoted to advancing recreation opportunities for all Americans. The association works to extend the social, health, cultural, and economic benefits of parks and recreation. Through its network of 23,000 recreation/park professional and civic leaders, NRPA encourages recreation initiatives for youth in high-risk environments, the promotion of healthy lifestyles, and conservation of natural and cultural resources.

NRPA Introduces New Logo

NRPA new logo

After more than 30 years, the National Recreation and Park Associations (NRPA) most identifiable symbol—its logo—has been updated to reflect excitement about and commitment to the future of parks and recreation.

"The logo will come to represent the united voice of the many facets of the field," said Eric O'Brien, NRPA chairman. "Parks and recreation encompasses so much: preserved lands and open Spaces, the positive use of leisure time, increased quality of life, healthier individuals, and stronger communities. NRPA strives to cultivate each of these facets, and our logo should reflect them."

Many of die original and timeless elements of the logo—all of which mirror the value of parks and recreation—remain in this new version. The people, land, tree and sun have been stylized, but remain as the central symbols. These symbols are united in one circle to demonstrate the associations united voice for the movement as well as the interrelatedness of people and public spaces.

In a two-year process, all facets of the NRPA leadership—the Board of Trustees, Regional Councils, Branches and Sections, and the NRPA Public Awareness Committee, chaired by Dr. Ted Flickinger—were a part of shaping the new image.

More than 70 logo designers were reviewed and the final version, designed by Elden Stromberg at Communigraph, Inc. of Springfield, 111., was formally introduced at the dedication of die Ahrens National Recreation and Park Association Institute. The new image will be phased in over a period of several months.

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Agencies Receive Grant Checks at IAPD Legislative Conference

At lAPD's annual Legislative Conference, held April 30 in Springfield, ten agencies received ceremonial grant checks for local park development projects, open space acquisition and trail development. The checks were presented by Governor Jim Edgar and Brent Manning, executive director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, which administers the OSLAD, Bicycle Path and Snowmobile grant programs.

Agencies receive Grant checks

Accepting the checks were board members and staff from each agency, and several agencies were accompanied by their local legislators.*

1. Arlington Heights Park District, $200,000 (OSLAD) to develop an outdoor athletic field complex.

2. Bartlett Park District, $137,900 (OSLAD) to develop a 17-acre site with ball fields, picnic and play areas and parking; $40,807.10 (OSLAD) to develop Humbracht Park into a neighborhood park.

3. Buffalo Grove Park District, $ 119,000 (OSLAD) to develop Cherbourg ___ Park featuring a soccer field, playground, tennis courts and other recreation areas.

4. Carol Stream Park District, $200,000 (OSLAD) to develop the 48-acre Bierman Park/Heritage Lake site with a playground, fishing stations and other recreation areas. *Sen. Beverly Fawell

5. Dixon Park District, $56,404 (Snowmobile) to construct 3.5 miles of 10-foot-wide trail for snowmobiling.

6. Kane County Forest Preserve District, $273,500 (OSLAD) to acquire 86.7 wetland acres at Otter Creek Marsh.

7. Lake County Forest Preserve District, $400,000 (OSLAD) to acquire a 45-acre parcel containing endangered plant species, a natural lake, bog, and several acres of woodlands. *Rep. Mark Beaubien, Sen. William Peterson, Rep. Andrea Moore

8. Macon County Conservation District, $150.000 (Bike Path) to develop a 2.2-mile trail following a scenic route from Rock Springs Nature Center to Fairview Park in Decatur.

9. Morion Grove Park District, $99,000 (OSLAD) to add new recreation facilities at Austin Park.

10. Wheeling Park District, $200,000 (OSLAD) to develop Childerley Park with outdoor recreation facilities. •

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1997 IAPD Legislative Conference and Reception with State Officials

Networking with legislators • training for the legislative process • briefings on park district and forest preserve legislation • legislative advocacy

Reception with State officials

LEGISLATORS JOIN PARK DISTRICT AND FOREST PRESERVE BOARD MEMBERS AND PROFESSIONALS for lively conversation at the IAPD Legislative Reception held April 29 at the Sangamo Club in Springfield. (Pictured left to right) 1. Park District of Forest Park's Ange Stange, David Novak, Ken Stange, and Rep. Eugene Moore (D-7); 2. Schaumburg Park District's Bill Tucknott, John Brandendburg and Rep. Kathleen Wojdk (R-45), David Johnson, Nancy Wroblewski; 3. Jim Petkus (Oak Forest), Sen. Patrick O'MaUey (R-18), Dr. Ted Flickinger (IAPD), Donald Bums (Oak Forest); 4. (standing) Lake County Forest Preserve District's Steve Messerii, Sen. 'William Peterson (R-26), John Schulien, Rep. Mark Beaubien (R-26), Robert Neal (seated) Rep. Elizabeth Coulson (R-29), Pam Newton, Rep. Corinne Wood (R-30), Rep. Andrca Moore (R-31). 5. Summit Park District's Judith Pollick, Rep. Anne Zickus (R-24), Thomas George; 6. Kathleen Merner (Joliet), Bert Grey (Oswegoland), Rep. Tom Cross (R-42) and Joliet Park Districts Bernie Geri, Bill Tatro, Nancy McDermott; 7. Lan-Oak Park District's Jeff Boubelik, Mike Fish and Sen. Debbie Halvorson (D-40), Dennis Flanagin; 8. Naperville Park District's MaryWright, Joe Schultz, Rep. Mary Lou Cowlishaw (R-21), Court Kenaston (seated) Sally Kirk, Tom Kruse; 9. Rep. Douglas Hoeft (R-33) and Rhonda Browne, Hazel Crest Park District; 10. Rep. Elizabeth Coulson (R-29), Northbrook Park District's Edward Harvey, Penny Randel, Oscar Dahl; 11. Robin Hall (Urbana), Rep. Richard Winkel (R-52), Dr. Jim Brademas (University of Illinois), Dr. Bruce Larson (Urbana); 12. Jack Cook (Kane County FPD) and Fox Valley Park District's Robert Vaughan, Robert Stuart (seated) Rep. Suzanne Deuchler (R-21), Linda Cole •

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State legislators address delegates

GOVERNOR JIM EDGAR AND SEVERAL LEADING STATE LEGISLATORS ADDRESS DELEGATES at the IAPD Legislative Conference held April 30 at the Springfield Hilton. 1. Rep. Beverly Fawell (R-20), 2. Rep. Louis Lang (D-8), 3. Sen. Patrick Welch (D-38), 4. Sen. Steven Rauschenberger (R-33), 5. Rep. Terry Parke (R-27), 6. John Comerio, deputy director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources shares the agency's focus for 1997 and grant updates, 7. IAPD leadership join Governor Jim Edgar and IDNR director Brent Manning at the ceremonial grant check ceremony (Pictured left to right): Dr. Bruce Larson, IAPD past president (Urbana); Michael Gilfillan, IAPD president elect (Arlington Heights); Governor Edgar; Fred Hohnke, IAPD president (Woodridge); Brent Manning •

First Lady Brenda Edgar Recognizes Park Districts' Intergenerational Initiatives

First Lady Brenda Edgar

First Lady Brenda Edgar and Illinois Department on Aging (IDOA) director Maralee Lindley recognized several IAPD members as valued partners in intergenerational programming at a Governor's Mansion reception held on May 28 in Springfield.

"The phenomenal expansion of Illinois READS (Retirees Educating and Assisting in the Development of Students) to nearly every county in Illinois is due in large measure to the dedication of our 27 partnership organizations that helped with volunteer recruitment, articles in newsletters and advocacy for intergenerational programming in our schools, park districts, hospitals and libraries," said Mrs Edgar.

Illinois READS is an intergenerational program administered by IDOA which utilizes senior volunteers to help students in kindergarten through grade three who are at risk of school failure. For more information about READS, call IDOA at 1.800.252.8966 (voice and TTY).

(Pictured left to right) Senior volunteer Diane Kowalske (Peoria) and Barbara Niles (Peoria Park District), Maralee Lindley, Mrs. Edgar, Geri Estvanik (Addison Park District), a senior volunteer in Addison's YES Explorer program.

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