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Bourbonnais Township
Park District
Begins To Take Shape The newly-formed Bourbonnais Township Park District is pleased to announce the hiring of Craig Culver, Director of Parks and Recreation, Kathy Richardson. Administrative Secretary, and Craig Ramsey, Facility Supervisor/Specialist Instructor. The park district, which was formed November of 1986, has begun to offer recreational and educational programs for the first time, with over 24 programs scheduled for this fall and winter! The "young" park district nominated Lavern Learned as their new Board President, James Travis as Vice President, Harry Burkhalter, Commissioner (former President), and Ralph Legris as Commissioner. One Commissioner's position remains available upon the retirement of Louis Minelli. Mr. Minelli was honored at a recent senior citizens dinner/dance sponsored by the park district, where over 350 residents were in attendance.
Bolingbrook Opens New Park!
By Ray Ochromowicz Lawn chairs, fishing poles and coolers dotted the shores of Hidden Lakes Historic Trout Farm, Monday, May 29, as hundreds of Bolingbrook residents came out to officially open the new park. Hidden Lakes is a 14 acre, semi-wooded site, containing four fishing ponds, a bait shop and a learning center. It borders the east branch of the DuPage River. Until 1986, it was operated as a commercial fishing spot. The Bolingbrook Park District gained management rights to the property through the assistance of Corlands, an affiliate of the Open Space Project. In May, the District received notice from the Illinois Department of Conservation of a matching grant. The park has quickly become the place to be in Bolingbrook for rest and relaxation, family picnics or nature appreciation. Even so, fishing remains the most popular attraction. Group outings are welcome. The park is gaining popularity as a destination for field trips and day camps. To make arrangements, call Vince Castellanoz, at 312/739-0272.
Arborists Save Illinois' Largest Tree
Illinois Department of Conservation Director Mark Frech announced that the state's largest tree — a giant Eastern Cottonwood — will be pruned and cabled on September 14 by arborists from the Illinois Arborist Association. Located along the Illinois and Michigan Canal near Morris in Gebhard Woods State Park, the cottonwood — also the nation's largest Eastern Cottonwood — is in bad shape, Frech said. "Numerous dead limbs overhang the viewing area and pedestrian path, lightning has damaged the tree, it has a hollow large enough to hold a classroom of third graders, and it has been set on fire at least twice," Frech said. "Without corrective pruning and cabling, the tree cannot be expected to survive." It is estimated the tree was a sapling at the time the Illinois and Michigan Canal was built between 1836 and 1848. The tree stands 132 feet tall, is 31 feet 1 inch around its trunk and has a crown spread exceeding 99 feet. Frech said the work is being done in cooperation with the Department of Conservation's Division of Land Management and Division of Forest Resources.
People, Places & Things (Continued) ————————————————
Wood Dale Park District Executive Director James Berousek died unexpectedly of a heart attack at his home on Monday, August 14, 1989. He was 38 years old. Berousek first joined the district in 1974 as Recreation Supervisor and has been the Executive Director since 1975.
One of Berousek's proudest accomplishments was the acquisition of the Salt Creek Golf Club after 15 years of persuasive effort. He has been credited with responsibility for much of the district's growth and development. In an interview conducted only a week before his death, Berousek reflected, "When I started, the district only had a handful of programs and a good day camp. Now they have 10 times the programs, a pool, the golf course and, in 1990, the new water park." Under Berousek's direction, the district's budget grew from $100,000 to more than $2.5 million. The district now employs 17 full time and 225 part-time staff members. Berousek also led the district to being a finalist in the 1989 Gold Medal Awards (Class V - Cities Under 20,000). This coveted national award honors agencies for excellence in park and recreation management, and is presented by the National Sports Foundation at the annual National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) Conference. "Jim Berousek's sudden death is a tremendous loss to the residents and Board of Commissioners," stated Wood Dale's President, James H. Mixon. "He was an integral force in the district's expansion. Speaking as a charter board member, we watched Jim mature from a recreational "intern" into one of the best park district directors in the state. Our board always had complete confidence in his leadership, from the time he was first appointed to the director's post to the point we lost him. We will all feel his loss very deeply."
Berousek is survived by his wife of 15 years, Kathy, and their two children, Jim Jr., 10, and Lindy, 9.
Keith Mione, Board President of the Mundelein Park and Recreation District, died July 4, 1989, after a lengthy battle with cancer. He was 48. Mione became a park board member in 1985 and had held the board presidency since 1987. Despite his illness, Mione continued to serve on the board and attend meetings. When poor health complications forced him to cut back his involvement in community activities, the park board honored him by naming a city park after him on Mundelein's Midlothian Road. The 150-acre park is now called Keith Mione Community Park and Sports Complex. Mione also served as the Mundelein High School District #120 school board president for the past four years and made time to coach Little League and youth football teams. He was a tireless, devoted friend and leader in his community and will be missed by all.
Park District Superintendent
This West Suburban Park District is seeking a degreed individual, with a minimum of five years related work experience, to administer, direct, maintain records, prepare the annual budget and supervise this system of parks, recreational facilities and programs. Salary range: $30,000 + , with generous fringe benefits. Salary is negotiable depending on qualifications and experience. Send resume to: Park District of LaGrange, Attn: Barbara Yong, P.O. Box 342, LaGrange, IL 60525. Applications will be kept confidential. Resumes must be received by October 1, 1989.
Fitness In Concepts
Workshop
Date Changed To October 14th The next Fitness In Concepts workshop date has been changed from October 7 to October 14. The workshop will begin at noon at Morton Grove Park District. Registration information will be out in September.
People, Places and Things (Continued) ————————————————
* CALL FOR PAPERS *
Jan./Feb. I.P.R. Magazine Focuses
On Therapeutic Recreation Once again, the January/February (1990) issue of the IPR Magazine has been set aside for the topic of therapeutic recreation. Last year's issue was very successful, containing many interesting articles and accompanying photographs. Any and all ITRS members who are interested in submitting an article, slides, or photographs for inclusion in this issue are encouraged to do so. Topics may include unique programming concepts, current trends and issues, staff development and education. Shorter items may also be submitted for the "People, Places, and Things" section of the magazine. All materials will be due by November 6, 1989. If you're interested in submitting items for publication, contact ITRS Communication Committee Chairperson Diane Wagner, CTRS, at 312/857-5932 or 312/857-1000, pager #3035.
Alex Roberts Joins
Aurora University's Faculty Alex Roberts has been named as Assistant Professor in Administration of Leisure Services in the Leisure and Environmental Resources Administration Division at Aurora University. Roberts will provide leadership in the LERA Division in the areas of administration of leisure services and commercial recreation. He will begin the position this fall.
Roberts has served as Assistant Program Director for George Williams College's Lake Geneva, Illinois Field Campus, where he developed an adventure recreation program for public schools and colleges. In 1983 he became Director of Parks and Recreation for the Woodstock Recreation and Parks Department. While in Woodstock, he directed leisure services and special events, developed new programs and conducted marketing research. An active member of the Illinois Parks and Recreation Association, Roberts co-chairs the IPRA Triathlon Committee. He is also a member of the IPRA Joint Public Awareness Committee which organizes the "Fitness is Leading the Way" campaign. For the third year in a row, this campaign sent bike, run, walk and wheelchair teams to Springfield, Illinois to assist Gov. James Thompson in opening the Illinois State Fair. Roberts participated in the event as a member of the bike team and rode all the way to Springfield from Chicago's Buckingham Fountain. Roberts earned a B.S. degree in leisure services from George Williams College in 1981 and an M.S. degree in education from Mankato State University. Aurora University is a fully independent institution offering courses leading to both undergraduate and graduate degrees. Aurora University is located on the southwest side of the city of Aurora, Illinois, with over 2,000 students currently enrolled. Anyone interested in contacting Roberts can write him at his new address: Alex Roberts, Assistant Professor of Leisure Studies, LERA Division, Aurora University, Aurora, IL 60506.
Deerfield Park District
Welcomes
Three New Staff Members
People, Places and Things ————————————————
Great Lakes Regional
Council
Presents 1989 Awards The Great Lakes Regional Council of the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) presented their 1989 Awards to the following individuals and agencies. The awards ceremony took place on the porch of the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island during the recent Summer Regional Council meeting at the end of July. Warmest congratulations to the following: Great Lakes Region Outstanding Professional: Mr. Michael S. (Mick) Pope, Director of Parks and Recreation, Elmhurst (Illinois) Park District. Great Lakes Region Outstanding Board/Commission Member: Mr. Lewis E. Wint, Chairman, Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission, Pontiac, Michigan. Dottie Mullen Arts and Humanities Award: Class I: Over 200,000
City of Grand Rapids, Michigan
Class II: 75,000 to 200,000
Southfield (Michigan) Parks &
Recreation Department.
Class III: 25,000 to 75,000
City of Cleveland Heights (Ohio)
Parks & Recreation Department
Class IV: Under 25,000
Deerfield (Illinois) Park District
People, Places & Things (continued) ————————————————
October 20th Slated For
Bloomington Sports Forum The IPRA Athletics Committee will host its Sixth Annual Sports Forum from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Friday, October 20, 1989 in Bloomington, Illinois. The forum will include a C.E.U. Session on "Legal Liability in the Athletic Sector", as well as open discussion of advisory boards, sports leagues for seniors, drug awareness, trends in field maintenance, and sports coaches: paid vs. volunteer. The registration fee of $20.00 ($10.00 for students) includes lunch and C.E.U. credits. This is an excellent opportunity for athletic programmers to share their ideas and learn what other agencies are doing. For more information, call Chris Wilsman at (312) 945-0650.
Lincoln Park Zoo will present an adult lecture series on land and winged predators and conservation issues from Sept. 27 through Nov. 19 at on-grounds Crown-Field Auditorium. The programs will feature noted wildlife experts on bears, wolves and birds of prey, and various conservation efforts to save endangered species. Predator lectures are scheduled each Wednesday through October from 7 to 8:30 or 9 p.m. and include slides, films and behind-the-scenes tours. The conservation series will be held Sunday morning or afternoons in November. Most fees are $5 or $6. Here is the list of scheduled lectures and capsule highlights. For more information, call the Zoo Education Department, 312/294-4649.
Predator Lectures
Conservation Close Up
Nov. 5 — Gorilla Survival
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