GET ON BOARD

As I looked around Wheaton Park District's beautiful Arrowhead Banquet Facility on the evening of Friday, September 14, I couldn't help but smile. I was surrounded by friends, colleagues, business people, people who work in media and community members who were drawn to the Illinois Association of Park District's first Best of the Best Awards Gala for all the same reason: they have a deep belief that what we do in the business of parks, recreation and conservation makes a difference - and that, together, we give back to our communities and make them better places to live and work.

I was at once reminded of my grandchildren. They are all active in sports. And though they are members of various teams that may preach different rules and regulations, one thing remains constant: teamwork.

What we learned at age eight still holds true today. Together, we can accomplish more. The Best of the Best Awards Gala was created to give recognition to those both inside and outside our field who consider us teammates in making Illinois a better place through park districts, forest preserves, conservation, recreation and special recreation agencies. From the world's leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment to local community banks, we are all on the same team.

Best Friends

One of the winners of the Best Friend of Illinois Parks - Business category, Caterpillar Incorporated, has worked with the Pleasure Driveway and Park District of Peoria for many years, not only sponsoring park district events and working to preserve land, but also making substantial monetary contributions. Caterpillar donated $7 million to be used as a challenge grant to fund the new zoo. That money was leveraged into the first $15 million of a capital campaign that is now on its way to funding this $32 million project.

Another Best Friend of Illinois Parks - Business category winner, the Itasca Bank and Trust Company, has been a valued friend to the park district for more than 35 years. The bank has sponsored the Itasca Park District's program brochure for more than 20 years and has sponsored park district sports teams and clubs. The Itasca Bank and Trust Company has also been instrumental in supporting the district's capital campaigns, recently leading a successful community-wide effort to raise $104,000 as part of the matching portion of the Itasca Park District's OSLAD grant. The bank generously contributed $30,000 toward the effort.

Teammates

The Frankfort Park District and the Village of Frankfort have teamed up to develop several intergovernmental agreements that are proving beneficial to all. In fact, park development in Frankfort has been on the upswing for the past two years, thanks in part to intergovernmental agreements between the village and the park district - winning these agencies a first place in the Intergovernmental Cooperation Award category.

Thanks to an OSLAD grant, the district's main park is undergoing a major facelift. The village has been instrumental in this project, providing land for additional parking, paying for the paving of those areas and running sewer lines to the south end of the park so that a picnic shelter and washroom could be built. In exchange for this $220,000 contribution, the district offered a few acres to allow for the expansion of the village hall.

6 Illinois Parks & Recreation www.ILipra.org

Partners, Volunteers and Good Sports

A Partnership Award was presented to the Barrington Park District and the Northern Illinois Special Recreation Foundation for working together to build a unique, accessible tree house that allows every child in Barrington to have his or her own corner of the sky. Outstanding Citizen Volunteer Awards were given to individuals who have donated hundreds of hours to their local park district and Good Sportsmanship Awards lauded those who strive to instill positive values and ethics in today's youth. Members of the media were recognized with the Illinois Parks' Top Journalist Award for providing responsible and comprehensive coverage of Illinois park districts, forest preserves, conservation, recreation and special recreation agencies. Board members who have given selflessly of their time and talents from ten years to 41 years were applauded. And agencies that have stood the test of time, from 25 years to 100 years, were acknowledged.

The evening lasted a couple of hours, but the impression it left on the attendees will last a long time. Through teamwork with those inside and outside our field, we can continue to improve on the best park, recreation and conservation system in the nation.

Get Ready to Recognize the Best of the Best in 2008

The 2008 Best of the Best Awards Gala will be held Friday, September 12th at the Wheeling Park District's Chevy Chase County Club.

Who will you nominate?

Awards include:

-- Board Member and Agency Anniversary Awards

--  Illinois Parks' Top Journalist Award (print, radio and television)

--  Best Friend of Illinois Parks - Business

--  Best Friend of Illinois Parks - Governmental

--  Intergovernmental Cooperation Award

--  Partnership Award

--  Good Sportsmanship Award, and

--  Outstanding Citizen Volunteer of the Year Award.

Watch for nomination information after the first of the year.

7 www.ILparks.org November/December 2007