Fox Valley Names Executive Director

Messerli holds an undergraduate degree from East Tennessee State University and a master's degree in public administration from California State University. He has worked for the Fairfax County Park Authority in Virginia; the Ann Arbor, Michigan department of parks and recreation; and San Bernardino County, California, where he served as director of regional parks and later as director of infrastructure.

Messerli looks forward to opening Fox Valley's $25 million athletic center this fall.

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IPRA HQs Move to Oakbrook Terrace

The move comes on the heels of the sale of IPRA's 14,000 square foot building in Carol Stream. The new IPRA headquarters is smaller, covering about 6,500 square feet. The transition to this smaller space was a challenge but the more user-friendly, convenient and cost-effective space was deemed essential to IRPA and its future.

"The new headquarters is very welcoming to those visiting for the first time," said IPRA Chief Executive Officer Bill Wald. Wald said that the overall mood IPRA wanted to achieve in its new space was classy, sophisticated and professional. The new space features warm paint tones, rich wood furniture, loft-like ceilings and views of the Western suburbs. Some of the amenities of the corporate office building are the deli-style restaurant, a work-out facility, dry cleaning, covered parking and the location is no more than a few minutes from either I-355 or I-88.

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IAPD Educational Services Director Has New Office

IAPD Educational Services Director Sue McGovern has moved from her office in Carol Stream to a new location in Hoffman Estates. Please adjust your address books to reflect her new contact information:

Sue McGovern, CMP
Educational Services Director
Illinois Association of Park Districts
4476 Sundance Circle
Hoffman Estates, IL 60195
Phone: (847) 496-4449
Fax: (847) 496-5246
E-mail: smcgovern@ILparks.org

McGovern's duties at IAPD include serving as the annual conference manager; planning educational workshops, symposiums and roundtables; arranging board and committee meetings; and helping plan and run special events, such as the IAPD summer golf tour.

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Registration Still Open for NRPA Congress in Texas It's not too late to register for the National Recreation and Park Association Annual Congress and Exposition in San Antonio, Texas from October 18 to 22. For 40 years the NRPA has brought together professionals, citizen advocates, educators and students who are passionate about parks and recreation. The congress features: •  Over 200 IACET-authorized CEU education sessions •  Exhibits of park and recreation-related products and services •  Networking opportunities with thousands of attendees Visit www.nrpa.org/congress or call (703) 858-0784 to register.

IPRA Announces Newly Certified Professionals Kristi L. Chirempes, CPRP, Hoffman Estates Park District Carrie M. Henry, CPRP, NEDSRA

New Business Manager for Elk Grove

Thomas Busby, who has more than 20 years of government finance experience, joined the Elk Grove Park District as business manager late this summer. Busby came to the park district form the Rock River Water Reclamation District, where he served as business manager. He has also worked for the McHenry County Conservation District and the Wheeling Park District. He is a graduate of Bemidji State University with a major in finance and has a master's degree in business administration from the Keller Graduate School of Management.

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St. Charles Park District Has New Superintendent of Recreation

Holly Cabel is the new superintendent of recreation for the St. Charles Park District. Cabel succeeds Nancy Ryan who retired June 17, after serving almost 19 years with the St. Charles Park District.

Under Ryan's leadership Pottawatomie Swimming Pool and River View Miniature Golf Course went through major renovations and the Pottawatomie Community Center was designed, built and added to. The center now includes a preschool wing, fitness and art studios and an adult activity center. Ryan oversaw the opening of STC Underground, a teen recreational facility, and the construction of the new Campton Hills Splash Park. During Ryan's tenure, the district received many grants, honors and awards, including the National Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management.

Holly Cabel has been with the district since 1996, and most recently held the position of assistant superintendent of recreation. She previously served as the recreation supervisor for the aquatics program; adult and youth special interest classes; and assisted with the

Pottawatomie Pool renovation project, Pottawatomie Community Center expansion project and the newly constructed Campton Hills Splash Park.

In her new position, Cabel directs all recreation department activities, including program services and the management of the district's recreational facilities.

Cabel earned her undergraduate degree at the University of Iowa and resides in St. Charles with her husband and two children.

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Skokie Hires Facility Manager and School-age Coordinator

Robin Ledford was recently hired as the facility manager of the Skokie Park District's Devonshire Cultural Center. In this position she is responsible for managing the programming of cultural arts and preschool enrichment classes. She also oversees facility safety and manages the center's customer service staff.

Ledford previously worked for 12 years at the City of Jackson, Tennessee Recreation and Parks Department, where she served as administrator of recreation. She graduated from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, with a bachelor's degree in recreation and arts administration and completed further professional study in theatre performance with the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City.

Nancy Eschker was recently hired as school-age coordinator for the Skokie Park District's before- and after-school extended care program, SPACE. In addition to coordinating the daily operations of SPACE, Eschker supervises the district's community youth outreach program, Project Play. She also supervises various summer camps.

Eschker has worked at the district for six years as a preschool teacher at Devonshire Preschool and as a camp supervisor. She graduated from Indiana University, Bloomington, with a bachelor's degree in sociology.

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St. Charles Spray Playground Completed

Construction of a spray playground at the Campton Hills park site in St. Charles was completed this summer as scheduled. The splash park features such interactive water play features as spray columns, spray loops, dumping buckets, spray cannons, bubblers, geysers and water wheels. The facility has a sand play area with water and sand play toys. The spray playground represents the initial phase of an aquatics facility master plan.

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Bolingbrook Hires TR Supervisor

Jill Mukushina joined the Bolingbrook Park District staff as therapeutic recreation supervisor in charge of the Joliet-Bolingbrook Special Recreation Association. Previously, Mukushina was a recreation specialist for the South East Association for Special Parks And Recreation for five years. She has a B.S. in therapeutic recreation from Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Michigan and is a CTRS. Mukushina is responsible for the overall administration of JBSRA.

74 Illinois Parks and Recreation www.ILipro.org

IPRA Blog Spot Sparks Online Interaction

Blogs (or Web logs) have been in existence for several years, but have primarily been an "underground" medium. Only recently have mainstream media outlets begun using blogs to interact with their consumers. The Blog Spot, at http://IPRA.blogspot.com, is the first state park and recreation association blog in the country. It features thought provoking topics, chat rooms, pictures and polls relevant to the park and recreation professional and those simply interested in the benefits of parks and recreation.

The blog made its official debut in July. "I am so proud of the hard work that went in to making The Blog Spot happen," said Bill Wald, chief executive officer of IPRA. "The feedback we have received from the field and our board of directors has been great."

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