PEOPLE AND PLACES

Citizens Partner with Winnetka Park District to Build New Paddle Hut

Thanks to a partnership between avid paddle tennis fans and the Winnetka Park District, the Winnetka Board of Park Commissioners and the Winnetka Platform Tennis Club (WPTC) cut the ribbon on a brand new platform tennis clubhouse in November. The facility was designed by one of the paddle players, architect H. Gary Frank, who donated his services.

The project was the outgrowth of a longtime partnership between the players' club and the district. "Without the support of the WPTC citizen members, there would not be an upgraded paddle facility today," said Mary Garrison, president of the park board. "Many people contributed time, effort and patience. And because we all worked together, this facility became a reality. The Winnetka Park District and the WPTC are a wonderful example of an amazing partnership that enhances the recreational opportunities in the community." The WPTC is one of the largest paddle clubs in the country, with 14 men's and 10 women's teams. One hundred fifty people take paddle tennis lessons at the district, making Winnetka a model for other public platform facilities.

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In November 2004 the Town of Normal's Parks & Recreation Department hired Kevin Smith to be the new recreation supervisor for youth sports and teen programs. Smith earned his bachelor's degree in recreation and park administration from Illinois State University, while working part time for the Normal Parks & Recreation Department.

He was most recently employed with the Pontiac Parks & Recreation Department as a recreation supervisor for two years.

Susan Steinbach, recreation supervisor, joined the department in January. Susan coordinates activities for the before- and after-school

programs and assists with summer camps and other youth programs. Steinbach graduated from Illinois State University with a bachelor's degree in education and later earned her masters degree in education from National Louis University. She taught fourth and fifth grades for nine years in the Plossmoor School District.

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In Memoriam

Charles O. Henry, the Kankakee Valley Park District's attorney for 43 years, passed away on January 7, 2005. During his tenure with the district, he never missed a board meeting. His contributions were considered invaluable because of his long experience. "When questions arose about when a park was acquired, or when a building was erected, or the cost of a park district purchase, Chuck knew the answers," says district business manager Lori Yoder. Henry, an avid hunter and fisherman, was also a member of Pheasants Forever and Ducks Unlimited.

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The Lake County Forest Preserve District Board of Commissioners approved Tom Hahn as the district's new executive director at their meeting in late January. Hahn served as interim executive director from August 2004 until his new appointment. Hahn joined the Lake County Forest Preserve District in 1999 and was instrumental in negotiating the acquisition of nearly 4,500 acres of new forest preserve lands using bond referendum funds approved by voters in 1999 and 2000. He also secured $13.5 million of grants to acquire hundreds of acres of land. Hahn gained great experience in open space planning, land acquisition, preservation and administration as executive director of Corlands and associate director of the OpenLands Project for nearly 17 years.

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The Deerfield Park District recently hired two new staff members.

Stephanie Whelan joined district as recreation supervisor for early childhood programs. Whelan was a spring 2004 intern with the district and stayed on to assist the department while then recreation supervisor Karrie Miletic was on maternity leave. Stephanie graduated from Trinity International University with a major in sport and wellness management and a minor in coaching. She continues to volunteer to assist the coach for Trinity's women's volleyball team. The permanent position became available when Miletic left employment in November, after approximately five years with Deerfield, to be a full time mom.

In October, the district hired Daria Kuhs as a full-time public information/foundation coordinator. Kuhs brings more than 25 years of experience in recreation and public information to the job. She has a degree in recreation administration, with an emphasis on therapeutic recreation, from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and over 12 years' experience as superintendent of recreation at Northwest Special Recreation Association. Making a career change to work part-time and be a part-time stay-at-home mom, Kuhs took more than 30 hours of desktop publishing/graphic arts and related courses and served in a public information coordinator's role at both a local school district and at the Northern Suburban Special Recreation Association.

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Joe Davison, of Wheaton, recently joined the Crystal Lake Park District staff as a recreation supervisor in charge of special events. He comes to the district from the Geneva Park District, where he managed the Sunset Racquetball and Fitness Center. At Crystal Lake, he plans all special events and manages winter and summer concessions. He is also the liaison for the Crystal Lake Park Foundation and other community groups that use the district's facilities for special events and races. Davidson is a 2004 graduate of Western Illinois University with a degree in recreation, park and tourism administration.

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Theresa Walker is the new recreation specialist for the Special Recreation Association of Central Lake County(SRACLC). Walker recently graduated from Western Illinois University with a B.S. in recreation, park and tourism administration with an emphasis in therapeutic recreation. Walker did both her field work study and internship at SRACLC. "It was a perfect fit and an easy decision," states John Buckner, SRACLC director. "Theresa has been a part of the staff for the past two summers, and we really liked her work ethic and ability." Walker's responsibilities include leading programs and coordinating volunteers.

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The Western DuPage Special Recreation Association (WDSRA) has named Nancy Miner as its new superintendent of recreation. Miner, a Wheaton resident, has more than 20 years of leadership experience in the park and recreation field and has been at WDSRA for a total of 14 years, most recendy as outreach manager. Miner has developed numerous programs and is recognized for her success in growing program enrollment. She received her BA from the University of Saint Francis in Joliet.

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Jason Fries became Matteson Parks and Recreation Department's new program supervisor in April 2004. Fries is responsible for implementing athletic programs and leagues. He graduated from South Dakota State University with a B.S. in public recreation. Before coming to Matteson, Fries worked as a community center program assistant with the City of Sioux Falls, South Dakota and as a recreation supervisor in charge of athletics at the Frankfort Square Park District in Illinois.

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IPRA Announces Newly Certified Professionals

Joseph Bruntmyer, CPRP, Verrion Hills Park District

Joseph D. Davison, CPRP, Geneva Park District

Tony J. Korzyniewski, CPRP, Gurnee Park District

Kathrine K. Koske, CPRP, Lindenhurst Park District

Kara A. Repsys, CPRP, CTRS, SRSNLC

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New Director of Parks and Planning at the Bloomingdale Park District

Ed Reidy is the new director of parks and planning for the Bloomingdale Park District. Ed served the Roselle Park District as superintendent for the past three years. He has also worked as a foreman at Wood Dale Park District and crew supervisor at the Tinley Park Park District. Reidy's responsibilities at the Bloomingdale Park District include overseeing the maintenance department and participating in the planning and construction of the district's pool renovation project. The Oasis, to be opened in June.

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Friends Honors its Friends

Friends of Illinois Parks capped a successful sixth year of operation by honoring its major corporate benefactors at the 2005 IAPD/IPRA Annual Conference in November.

Ambassador Level Friends contributed $1,000 or more in 2004. They include:
• Caterpillar
• W-T Engineering, Inc.
• Ancel, Glink, Diamond, Bush, DiCianni & Rolek
• Burnham & Flower Group
• Park and Recreation Supply, Inc.

W-T Engineering and Park and Recreation Supply, Inc. were two of the eight corporations accepting thanks from IAPD Post Chairman dint Hull and IAPD Vice Chairman Dave Mason for contributions to the Friends of Illinois Parks program.

The following corporate Benefactors contributed between $500 and $999 last year:
• ARCON Associates, Inc.
• PHN Architects
• Paveloc Industries

Friends of Illinois Parks provides leadership in statewide efforts through advocacy, research and education to promote the protection of parks and open space. The group also works to ensure recreational opportunities are available for all Illinois residents. In 2004, the Friends helped preserve state funding for parks and natural areas for the people of Illinois. The group worked closely with the Partners for Parks & Wildlife to educate the public and state policy-makers regarding the value of continued funding for parks and natural areas through the Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development program (OSLAD) and the Natural Areas Acquisition Fund (NAAF). The efforts were successful and made possible only with the support of our donors.

The Friends of Illinois Parks also championed a large-scale study of the Economic Impact of Parks and Recreation in Illinois (see page 15), and is now helping fund the PowerPlay! grant program that assists agencies with providing after-school programs.

If you wish to join Friends of Illinois Parks, please contact IAPD at 217/523-4554 or go to www.ILparks.org for more information.

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