 |
Home | Search | Browse | About IPO | Staff | Links |
|
Home | Search | Browse | About IPO | Staff | Links |
|
PEOPLE AND PLACES Skokie Looks Within to Find New Director
Mark Schneiderman, the current assistant director of parks and recreation for the Skokie Park District, has been chosen as the award-winning district's new executive director by a unanimous vote of the district's five member board of commissioners. He will assume the comprehensive management, planning, and operation of the district upon the retirement of Steve Hartman in June. Hartman has directed the district since June 1993.
"Mark brings with him sensitivity to the needs of this district's residents," said Board of Commissioners President Michael Bender. "He is an excellent choice. We are very fortunate to have him here in Skokie." Schneiderman has worked as the district's assistant director since 1991, after serving as its superintendent of revenue facilities beginning in 1986. He came to Skokie after managing the Glenview Ice Center for nearly a decade. Schneiderman received his bachelor's degree in parks and recreation administration from Western Illinois University in Macomb in 1974 and his master's degree in urban land use planning from Northeastern University in Chicago in 1995. He is recognized as a certified park and recreation professional (CPRP) by the National Recreation and Park Association.
Joliet Executive Director Announces Retirement
"It has been my privilege to serve the Joliet community for the past fourteen years, work with a committed staff and realize the accomplishments that have made the Joliet Park District one of the best municipal park and recreation agencies in the nation," said Dodd.
Before his tenure at Joliet, Dodd was deputy general superintendent at the Chicago Park District, assistant director of parks and recreation for the City of Dallas, and director of the Park Ridge Recreation and Park District. At Joliet, Dodd directed a number of projects, including upgrades to various neighborhood parks, the completion of the Harlow Lockwood Softball Fields/Inwood Sports Complex and the construction of the Inwood Ice Arena after a fire destroyed the district's previous arena in 1991. He also coordinated the design of a horticultural center, led restoration efforts to the Lord and Burnham Conservatory at Pilcher Park and modernized the district's nature center. "Ron served the Joliet Park District very well. His dedication and commitment allowed us to grow in tough economic times. We at the park district pray that he and his wife Barbara will have a blessed retirement," said Joliet Park District Board of Commissioners President Michael Steward.
Oswegoland Park District Names Executive Director
Serving as Plainfield Township Park District's deputy director for the past eight years, McAdam has experience in developing and administering recreation programs and services during explosive growth and has worked in all areas of park district management, including serving on the IPRA board. He earned undergraduate and graduate degrees at the University of St. Francis in Joliet. "We are very excited about Bill coming on board. He has a strong passion for and experience in parks and recreation. We believe he will be a good fit for our organization and community," says, Bob Mattingly, park board president. New Athletic Supervisor for Bloomingdale
Brock Atwell has been hired by the Bloomingdale Park District as its new athletic supervisor. Brock graduated with a B.A. in parks and recreation from the University of Illinois. He completed an internship with the Homewood-Flossmoor Park District in the summer of 2003. Brock's responsibilities as athletic supervisor include serving as liaison to the park district's athletic associations, athletic programming and adult fitness. 40 | Illinois Parks and Recreation Four Commissioners Earn IAPD Board Member Development Honors In 2003, four board members achieved milestones in the IAPD Board Member Development Program by accumulating the required number of Board Development Units (BDUs) to reach "Distinctive Board Member" or "Master Board Member" status. The Board Member Development Program gives recognition to local board members who go above and beyond the call of duty through committee involvement, attendance at continuing educational opportunities and achievements at the local, state and national levels.
The following individuals have earned "Master Board Member" status: Stan Budzinski, Peoria Park District; Christine Gentes, Round Lake Area Park District; and Cynthia Peterson, Vernon Hills Park District. Julie Longfield, with Worth Park District, has achieved "Distinctive Board Member" status. Notable Board Members for the year include: Barbara Daudelin, Round Lake Area Park District; Joseph Favero, Waukegan Park District; Wendell Howell, Hoffmann Estates Park District; Gloria Klimek, Saint Charles Park District; Lois Nickson, Macomb Park District; and Mike Yesner, Golf Maine Park District. For more information or to register for the Board Member Development Program, contact Bobbie Jo Hill at bjhill@Ilparks.org or (217) 523-4554. March/April 2004 | 41
Lake County Land Buy to Create New Forest Preserve
The 102-acre site to be named Heron Creek Forest Preserve will protect valuable natural resources and preserve sensitive wetlands near Long Grove. The Indian Creek basin, which flows through the site, is an Advanced Identification Wetland (ADID), the highest wetland classification in Lake County. It offers exceptional wildlife habitat and plant communities including a sedge meadow. The site also features woodlands and adjoins the Reed Turner Nature Preserve owned by the Long Grove Park District. Six state endangered bird species have been found in the area. In addition, over 215 native plants have been identified at the adjacent fen including two state threatened species. The cost of the forest preserve will be $6,740,000. The board also approved the following purchases: a 167-acre addition to Wright Woods Forest Preserve near Mettawa for $2,821,000; an addition of 4.1 acres to Hastings Lake Forest Preserve near Lake Villa for $75,000; and a 0.96-acre addition to the Des Plaines River Trail and Greenway near Lincolnshire for $10,000. Parks Day at the State Capitol Slated to Preserve OSLAD Funding
This year's Illinois Association of Park Districts' Parks Day at the Illinois State Capitol will emphasize the need to save a state grant program that has provided more than $197 million to Illinois' park, recreation and conservation agencies since 1986. Parks Day will be held from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. in the Rotunda of the Illinois State Capitol on Thursday, April 22, which is the day after the annual IAPD Legislative Conference in Springfield. Agencies are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to demonstrate to legislators, legislative staff, government workers and state Capitol visitors how the Open Space Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) Grant Program has benefited their operation. This is a prime time to schedule appointments with legislators or their staff to personally show them your exhibit and urge them to reject Governor Rod Blagojevich's proposed "holiday" from the program. In 1989, in order to help ensure more stable and predictable funding, a portion of the revenue derived from the state's Real Estate Transfer Tax was specifically dedicated for the OSLAD program. Parks Day at the Capitol can be your opportunity to remind legislators that this dedicated source of revenue was established specifically to avoid the revenue diversion the governor's budget seeks to impose. In the past three years alone, the OSLAD program has helped agencies acquire 1,860 acres of open space for the public to enjoy. Exhibits should include literature, giveaways or hands-on activities for attendees, and should bring special attention to how the OSLAD program has benefitted your agency. Space is limited, so register early, as agencies will be accepted on a first-come first-served basis. Call IAPD at (217) 523-4554 or e-mail Bobbie Jo Hill (bjhill@Ilparks.org) for more information.
Friends of Illinois Parks Plans 2004 Summer Golf Tour
The 2004 Summer Golf Tour is a great opportunity for networking, making new acquaintances, visiting with old friends and learning about other districts' programs. This event is for commissioners, directors, staff and friends. The 2004 tour schedule is as follows:
All golf events are shotgun starts beginning at noon. Registration begins at 11:00 a.m. and includes lunch, green and cart fees, awards, prizes and the Ambassador's reception at 4:30 p.m. The fee is $70 per golfer for one event, $120 for two events and $165 for all three outings. Foursomes are available at $230 for one event, $450 for one foursome/two events, and $600 for one foursome/all three outings. Net proceeds from the 2004 Summer Tour will go toward research, the Don Bresnan Commissioner Scholarship Fund, and the PowerPlay! after-school grant program. Register now. Each golf outing has a limited number of openings. Join the fun. The benefits of recreation are endless! 42 | Illinois Parks and Recreation IAPD Marks Major Board Member and Agency Anniversaries Among the highlights of the IAPD's 76th annual business meeting held January 24th at the Hyatt Regency in Chicago was the recognition of board member service anniversaries and agency anniversaries. Commissioners serving 20 or more years were recognized for donating so much of their time and energy to bringing parks, recreation and a better quality of life to the residents of their communities. Dennis Flanagin, 2003 IAPD Chairman, presented the awards. Receiving 20-Year Service Anniversary Awards were: Clarence Barney, Jr., Lincoln Park District
Receiving 25-Year Service Anniversary Awards were: Roger Allen, Peoria Park District Receiving 30-Year Service Anniversary Awards were: Robert Bernas, Westmont Park District The following agencies were also presented with anniversary awards:
Beardstown Community Park District, 50 years
David Johnson (left) accepts an award from 2003 IAPD Chairman Dennis Fianagin (right). Johnson has helped guide the Schaumburg Park District for 30 years.
March/April 2004 | 43 In Memoriam
Allen Victor Heimbach Sapora, 91, professor emeritus and former head of the Department of Leisure Studies, and former dean of the College of Applied Life Studies at the University of Illinois, died in his sleep at Clark Lindsey Village in Urbana early Tuesday, January 20, 2004. He was a pioneer in recreation education and research, and his efforts have been recognized on the state, national and international levels. Al Sapora was born on December 23, 1912, in Renovo, PA. He was awarded a B.S. from the University of Illinois in 1938. He earned an M.S. in 1940 from the U of I, and a Ph.D. from the University of Michigan in 1952. He is author of numerous publications. He was a Fellow and charter member of the American Academy of Leisure Studies. He was also a member of the American Academy of Park and Recreation Administrators, the Society for Park and Recreation Educators and the American Park and Recreation Society.
Tim Royster, who had a varied and successful career in Illinois parks and recreation, passed away in March 2003. Royster, a native of Rockford, Illinois earned both his bachelors and masters degrees in park and recreation administration from the University of Illinois. He went on to earn an MBA from Thunderbird School of International Management, Phoenix, AZ. His professional career was launched as director of Geneva Park District. He went on to multiple accomplishments as superintendent of recreation at Schaumburg Park District, director in Yanbu, Saudi Arabia, director of Niles Park District, and director of Golf Maine Park District.
44 | Illinois Parks and Recreation |
|
|
