Six Illinois Agencies Vie for NRPA Gold

Six of the state's park and recreation agencies are finalists in the competition for 2005 National Gold Medal Awards for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management. The Gold Medal Awards honor the nation's outstanding park and recreation agencies for excellence in the field of recreation management.

The American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration (AAPRA) in partnership with the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) will announce this year's winners live on stage at NRPA's Annual Congress & Exposition opening general session in San Antonio, Texas in October.

The nominees are categorized by population served, with a total of five gold medals awarded. The Illinois nominees fall into three categories as follows:

Class III (population 50,001 - 100,000)
• Bolingbrook Park District
• Wheaton Park District
Class IV (population 25,001- 50,000)
• Homewood-Flossmoor Park District
Class V (population less than 25,000)
• Bloomingdale Park District
• City of Lake Forest Parks and Recreation
• Frankfort Square Park District

Porter Athletic Equipment Company and Musco Lighting LLC sponsor the Gold Medal Awards.

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Brian J. Sullivan began his tenure as the executive director of the Lemont Park District in February. In addition to having more than 18 years of leadership experience in the parks and recreation field, he is a Certified Playground Inspector and PPRP. For the past ten years, he served as the executive director at the Country Club Hills Park District, where he was instrumental in solidifying an agreement with the park district and School District 160 to build a community and recreation center. This agreement saved the residents money by preventing a community property tax increase. He also increased parkland holdings from 70 acres to 187 acres, enabling the district to add 14 park sites and build 17 new playgrounds. Sullivan has big plans for Lemont. "I am excited to take this already good park district and build a great one," he said.

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Thomas C. White, the first and only executive director of the Bartlett Park District since its inception in 1973, retired June 30, 2005. When White became director, the district managed five parks totaling 68 acres, had one facility and only two full-time employees (himself included). Under his direction, the district acquired 32 new parks adding over 370 acres; built numerous facilities; and grew to 40 full-time staff and more than 400 part-time staff.

During White's tenure, the district became one of Illinois' Distinguished Agencies and earned the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting. White was responsible for obtaining more than $1,000,000 in grants and worked with board members to help pass the referendums to build the Bartlett Aquatic Center and the Bartlett Community Center. He was instrumental in starting the Bartlett Parks Foundation, a nonprofit organization set up to provide families with recreational scholarships for programs and services as well as provide art for the parks. Professionally, White served as co-chair of the IAPD/ IPRA Distinguished Agency Committee and as a member of the Bartlett Rotary Club.

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Rita Fletcher, an 18-year veteran and former superintendent of recreation for the Bartlett Park District, took over as executive director on May 1, 2005. She was officially selected to replace retiring executive director Thomas C. White in the fall of 2004. Fletcher earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Eastern Illinois University and a master's degree in recreation administration from Aurora University. In 2002, she was named Illinois Park and Recreation Facility Management Professional of the Year. Since 2000, she has served on the Illinois Park and Recreation Board and on the Illinois Parks and Recreation Association Profesional Certification Board, and she is a past president of the Suburban Park and Recreation Association. For the past seven years, she has served on the board of commissioners for the Village of South Elgin Parks and Recreation Department.

In addition to its new executive director, the district has promoted and hired several new staff members.

Kim Dasbach was recently hired as the superintendent of recreation. She oversees the recreation department, including three full-time recreation supervisors and a full-time marketing manager. Dasbach worked as the district's scheduling supervisor since August 2000. She also worked as the cultural arts coordinator at Mt. Prospect, responsible for programing and special events and as a recreation supervisor at Prospect Heights. Dasbach is a graduate of Northern Michigan University with a B.S. in recreation.

Allison Conrad comes aboard as the assistant health and fitness manager. Her responsibilities include: working under the direction of the health club manager, hiring and training all front desk staff and personal trainers, organizing schedules and dealing with club memberships and special events. Conrad previously worked as a fitness specialist and personal trainer at Delnor's Health and Wellness Center in Geneva. She is a 2004 graduate of Millikin University with a bachelor's degree in sports management.

Sarah Wettergreen is the district's new assistand aquatic supervisor. She works under the direction of the aquatics manager, hiring and training all aquatic staff, supervising two aquatic centers and organizing swimming lessons. Wettergreen previously worked as a manager and lifeguard at the Geneva Park District for eight summers. She is a 2004 graduate of the University of Illinois witha bachelor's degree in early childhood education.

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On June 7th, just after taking up the baton to begin his 57th season as the director of the DeKalb Municipal Band, conductor Dee Palmer was presented with an IAPD/IPRA Community Service Award.

The award presentation was a surprise addition to the evening's program, which was the kick off of the DeKalb Municipal Band's 151st season and a celebration of the DeKalb Park District's 70th anniversary. The town band — the oldest in the state — performs every Tuesday evening of the summer at the district's Hopkins Park. Performances include soloists each week, with a special "pops concert" and fireworks show on July 4.

Palmer's family has long been associated with the municipal band. His grandfather conducted in the 1880s, and his father managed the band in the 1930s. The group released a CD in 2005 to commemorate its 150 anniversary.

"Dee is passionate about the municipal band, and he's quite a hero in this area," says Dave Mogle, the park district's executive director. "He has tremendous energy and charisma for a man his age."

The IAPD/IPRA Community Service Awards recognize outstanding contributions of time, money, services or volunteer work for the advancement of parks and recreation.

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The Bush Administration is making progress toward the president's goal of restoring at least one million acres of degraded wetlands in five years. An administration report released in late April shows that in the first year of the president's initiative:

• 328,000 acres of wetland were restored or created,
• 54,000 acres were improved, and
• 350,000 acres were protected.

You may download the entire report on the Costal America Web site at www.coastalamerica.gov.

Costal America is a partnership of state and local governments, private organizations and 12 federal agencies, including the Executive Office of the President.

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The Southern end of Oak Park's Barrie Park is once again a safe place for children, thanks to the efforts of the local park district, the village and utility companies.

Officials discovered contamination at the park site in 1999. A manufactured gas plant had operated there from 1893 through 1931. The factory left behind hidden by-products that damaged the soil. A coordinated cleanup effort involving the Park District of Oak Park, the Village of Oak Park, ComEd and Nicor began in August 2001. Excavation of Barrie Park was completed in December 2003, and restoration began in early spring 2004.

Restoration of the southern end of Barrie Park, including installation of all play center equipment, was recently completed, and on Saturday, May 21, the Park District of Oak Park held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to open the Creative Play Area. In the weeks ahead, as the rest of the restoration is completed, turnover letters will be signed, giving care, custody and control to the park district. Plans are in place to have the park fully functional for use by residents and sports groups this fall. A grand opening of Barrie Park and Center is being planned for Saturday, September 10, 2005.

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The campaign, called Partners for Parks and Wildlife, was created in response to Governor Rod Blagojevich's plan to cut $34 million from the Open Space Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) program and the Natural Areas Acquisition Fund (NAAF). The governor made the proposition during his budget address in February 2004. The governor's plan would have eliminated all state grants to aid park districts, forest preserve and conservation districts and municipal park and recreation agencies in purchasing and upgrading open space for public parks. IAPD, its member agencies and nearly 130 additional Illinois conservation and environmental organizations bound together in the fight to save the funding.

Recently, the Partners for Parks and Wildlife campaign took several awards in the Publicity Club of Chicago Golden Trumpet Awards, as well as the Chicago Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America's Skyline Awards and the Public Relations Society of America's Silver Anvil Awards competitions. The honors, from all three clubs, were as follows:

-Edwin J. Shaughnessy Quality of Life Award from the Publicity Club of Chicago, the highest honor given by the club.

-Silver Trumpet in Government Affairs from the Publicity Club of Chicago.

-Skyline Award in Public Affairs from the Chicago Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA).

-Silver Anvil Finalist out of a field of more than 600 entries nationwide from PRSA in New York.

The campaign came to life with the development of the Partners for Parks and Wildlife name, a logo and a mission statement. The communications team developed key messages designed for each specific audience, including legislators and concerned citizens, conservationists, recreation users, hunters and business leaders. Other tools, such as talking points, fact sheets and handouts also incorporated the messages. Other tactics included:

- A PPW Web site that provided detailed information on the issues and informed citizens 1) why they should get involved and 2) how they could contact their legislators

- Statewide editorial board meetings led by the IAPD and its member agencies, which generated more than 65 supportive media messages and political cartoons

- A high profile rally in the Capitol during "Parks Day at the Capitol," featuring displays by 58 IAPD member groups, followed by a lobbying day

- A letter-writing campaign, resulting in more than 4,000 letters to legislators, the governor and newspapers

The campaign also used action alerts at critical junctures to generate calls and e-mails to specific elected officials.

Just one day before legislators approved the state's budget, political leaders from both parties agreed to restore the entire $34 million NAAF and OSLAD funds. Both Democrat and Republican legislators reported that they received more letters, calls and e-mails from constituents on this issue than any other single issue during the legislative session.

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Lily Garcia has been hired for the newly created position of marketing supervisor at the Hanover Park Park District. Garcia is responsible for developing and distributing all marketing materials for the district, including seasonal program brochures, newsletters, Web site development and maintenance, cable TV, community outreach and special projects. She initially joined the staff in June 2004 as the special projects and communications assistant, assisting with community outreach, marketing and public relations. She has an associate's degree with an emphasis in journalism from Harper College in Palatine. Garcia has specialized in working with the Latino market and has created programs and events that target that demographic in the community.

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Glen Ellyn Park District Welcomes Marketing and Supervisor

The Glen Ellyn Park District recently hired Kathleen Talenco as its new marketing and communications supervisor. She is responsible for promoting park district facilities and programs.

Talenco brings with her more than nine years of public relations and marketing experience in the hospitality industry. Her background also includes fundraising and journalism. Her most recent position was with the DuPage Convention and Visitors Bureau, where she was employed as the marketing manager.

She is a member of the advisory committee of the College of DuPage's Hospitality Administration Program and the Public Relations Society of America. She holds a B.A. in communications from Purdue University and an M.A. in media communications from Governors State University.

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Janet L. Cherbak joined the Bolingbrook Park District staff as project manager in March 2005. Cherbak has been a landscape architect for 21 years, most recently working five years at the Forest Preserve District of Will County. Cherbak graduated from the University of Illinois with a B.A. in landscape architecture and began her career in the design-build sector in the north suburbs. In 1990, she became licensed in Indiana and moved into the parks and recreation field at Lake County Parks and Recreation. At Bolingbrook, Cherbak is instrumental in the planning, coordination and supervision of capital improvements and operational projects. Her responsibilities include all aspects of project management of new and renovated park facilities. Cherbak is a certified playground safety inspector.

Stacey Archer-Little recently became a recreation supervisor responsible for dance and gymnastics. She served for the past six years as the dance program coordinator at the Bolingbrook Park District. During that time, dance participation numbers increased from 250 to more than 800. She is a graduate of Hawaii University with a B.A. in communication and was the co-founder and program director for the Hawaii Dance Alliance.

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The Crystal Lake Park District hired two new recreation supervisors this summer.

Connie Cooke is a 1997 graduate of Illinois State University with a bachelor's degree in therapeutic recreation. Cooke began her career at the Fox Valley Special Recreation Association, where she served as the Special Olympics and special events coordinator. At Crystal Lake, Cooke is in charge of teen programming, summer concessions, self-defense programs and sponsorship and advertising. She is also a liaison with community groups interested in teen-related programming.

Brenda Adams has worked in the field of parks and recreation for 24 years, including seven years with the Crystal Lake Park District as an instructor for a variety of tot and dance programs. She has earned an associate's degree in business. Her responsibilities with the Crystal Lake Park District include supervising tot and youth programming, art programs and dance programming.

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Elaine Mehilos joined the Wheeling Park District this spring to help with the preschool, early childhood, yout teeball league, youth soccer league and adult volleyball leagues. Prior to that, Mehilos worked at the Roselle Park District for four years. She was in charge of preschool, day camp and dance. Last year, she started a new before- and after-school program for that district. Mehilos also worked at the Roselle Park District for three years as a part-time swim coordinator and pool manager.

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Clare Fagan has recently joined the Wood Dale Park District as a recreation supervisor. Her responsibilities include supervising the day camp, preschool and extended school programs. She also oversees the dance program and some adult and youth programming. Prior to joining the Wood Dale Park District, Fagan was a program supervisor at the Barrington Park District for five years. She began her career at the Crystal Lake Park District, where she completed her internship and was also employed as a recreation supervisor. Fagan received her B.S. in recreation administration from Western Illinois University.

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