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PEOPLE AND PLACES U of I Awards Students and Alumni At its 34th Annual Awards Banquet, the University of Illinois Department of Leisure Studies presented the following awards to students and alumni.
Derrick Thayer —John Bruce Capel Award
Olympic Fields Receives Prestigious
AlA Award The Olympia Fields Park District's Sgt. Means Park was recognized by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) with a 2000 Honor Award for Outstanding Architecture, AlA's highest award for excellence in design. Sgt. Means Park is situated on a 20-acre site, which was originally a rural farm. Designed by the architecture firm of Weiss/Manfredi Architects of New York in 1993, the park and community center combine an existing park with an adjacent 10-acre nursery that has turn-of-the-century barn, farmhouse, and milkbarn. Facilities in the barn include community center offices, meeting and support spaces and a multipurpose room, while a silo addition features additional meeting facilities. "The park district envisioned the 20-acre park complex as a 'town green,' a place for spontaneous and programmed civic, cultural and recreational events," says Mary E. Gregoire, director of Olympia Fields Park District.
According to AIA President Ronald L. Skaggs, FAIA: "Sgt. Means Park
represents a blend of architecture and landscape tied to place. Each winning project, no matter how large or small, shows how architects improve
the livability of the places in which we live, work and play."
PHN Architects and Bolingbrook Park
District Achieve "Best of the Block" Award
The Illinois Indiana Masonry Council awarded its 2000 "Best on the Block" award to PHN Architects for the firm's use of masonry design in a 29,000-square-foot addition to Bolingbrook Park District's Annerino Center. PHN project manager for the addition, Mike Topping, said that PHN's project team strived to create a new look for the center while being sympathetic to the existing portion of the building that was to remain. "We used a concrete masonry block that was the same size and color but not the same texture as the existing concrete block," Topping said. "At the entry, angled concrete masonry piers tie the canopy to the building, and are tapered to the ground to reflect elements of the facility's plan and elevation design."
Each year, the Masonry Council gives recognition to
architects, by architects, for their accomplishments in
masonry design. This year 68 project entries were judged
and comments about PHN included: "This project exemplified to the jury what the Best on the Block should
be. The detailing of concrete masonry in conjunction
with structural steel framing members is very expressive
while the overall design certainly gives the 25-year old
structure a fresh new identity." Annerino's
29,000-square-foot addition brought the center a
25-foot-high climbing wall; multipurpose gymnasium
with basketball courts; three racquetball courts; fitness
center; spa area with sauna, whirlpool, tanning booth, and massage area;
and men's and women's locker rooms.
SSPRA Names Award Winners Al Trozek, commissioner with Bolingbrook Park District — Park Board Member of the Year for 2000. Trazek has served since 1985 on the Bolingbrook park board. According to Bolingbrook executive director Ray Ochromowicz, Trazek is known as the "Teddy Roosevelt" of the agency, for his quiet, soft-spoken, and confident approach to issues. Trazek has served with the IAPD/IPRA Joint Public Awareness Committee, held all Bolingbrook Park District board offices, and served with many community organizations. State Representative Maggie Crotty was named the Legislator of the Year. Representing the 35th district out of Oak Forest, Crotty July/August 2000 / 51 PEOPLE AND PLACES
received strong endorsements from her member park and recreation agencies for her tireless support of park and recreation issues, both locally and statewide. A former local school board member for 15 years, Crotty currently is the vice chair of the Constitutional Officers and Children and Youth Legislative Committees, and a member on the Appropriations, Consumer Protection and Product Regulation, Child Support Enforcement, Elementary and Secondary Education, Mental Health and Patient Abuse, and Registration and Regulation committees. Donna McCauley received the Professional of the Year award. A 19-year professional in the south suburbs, since 1993 McCauley has been assistant professor of Therapeutic Recreation and Leisure Studies at Moraine Valley Community College in Palos Hills. She has held previous positions with the Orland Park Recreation Department, Oak Lawn and Alsip Park Districts, and SWSRA. She has served SSPRPA on several committees and as treasurer, president-elect, and president. McCauley is also an elected commissioner for the Oak Lawn Park District. SSPRPA was formed in 1974, with a membership of more than 60 park and recreation agencies in south and southwest Chicagoland. Chad Harvey has been hired by the Oregon Park District as a facility coordinator. Harvey is a graduate of Loras College in Dubuque, la. with a bachelor's degree in Business and Sports Administration. He is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the 50,000-foot Blackhawk Center indoor sports complex.
Beth Chione joined the Fox Valley Park District as human resources coordinator. She will be responsible for recruiting, training, and benefits administration at the park district. Previously she was recruiting coordinator for Computer Science Corporation in Oak Brook. Chione is a graduate of Dominican University in River Forest, 111. Jeanine Sobel joined the St. Charles Park District as recreation supervisor. Her responsibilities include planning and implementing recreation programs and coordinating trips for adults and older adults. She also produces a bimonthly calendar for the Adult Recreation Club. She is a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist. Her previous experience includes many activity director positions at various nursing homes and retirement communities in Chicagoland. Matt Healy was hired as recreation supervisor for the Bensenville Park District. His position focuses on aquatics, facility management and adult general programming. Healy is from Arlington Heights and is a graduate of Eastern Illinois University. He has worked in recreation for 13 years with experiences in aquatics, sports, outdoor programming, park maintenance and even goat herding. Healy recently completed an internship with the Denver Parks and Recreation Department. Jennifer Harms has been hired by the Oregon Park District as a fitness coordinator. Harms is a graduate of Northern Illinois University with a bachelor's degree in Exercise Physiology. She is responsible for the opera- 52 ¦ Illinois Parks and Recreation PEOPLE AND PLACES
GENERAL COLIN L. POWELL, USA (Ret), arguably one of the most popular public figures in America today, will be the featured closing session speaker on Saturday, Jan. 13 at the 2001 IAPD/IPRA Annual Conference. Powell . is the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff under the Bush Administration and currently is the chairman of the high-profile America's Promise, an alliance for youth. General Colin Powell was a professional soldier for 35 years, during which time he held myriad command and staff positions. His last assignment, held from Oct. 1, 1989 to Sept. 30, 1993, was as the 12th chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the highest military position in the U.S. Department of Defense. During this time he oversaw 28 crises including "Operation Desert Storm," the Persian Gulf War in 1991. He will speak on managing crisis and change. Next to Chicago,PEORIA is the second largest metropolitan area in Illinois and provides a host of restaurants, night life, attractions and shopping without the big-city congestion. As the host site for the 2001 IAPD/IPRA Annual Conference, the Peoria Civic Center is rolling out the red carpet for our delegates. You don't want to miss the best state conference for parks and recreation in the nation! Housing information will be mailed in August and pre-conference registration in September. For more information, see www.ILparks.org/whatsnew.htm. "Give Us Your Best Shot" Photo Contest 2000 The IAPD/IPRA Joint Publications Committee invites you to show off your agency and its visual images with its "Give Us Your Best Shot" Photo Contest 2000. Photographs submitted may be used in future editions of Illinois Parks & Recreation magazine or on the cover of the IAPD/IPRA Membership Directory and Buyers' Guide.
Enter as many times as you like and by
October 1, 2000. For official rules, see
www.ILparks.ore/iprphotocontest.htm July/August 2000 / 53 PEOPLE AND PLACES tion of the district's two fitness facilities and for the management of fitness and wellness programs. Billy Howard has been hired by the Oregon Park District as the aquatic assistant/swim team head coach. Howard is a graduate of the University of Nebraska at Lincoln with a bachelor's degree in Psychology. He is responsible for the management of the Oregon Park District's Barracuda Swim Club and assists in the management of the district's aquatic facilities and instructional programs. Ada Casado, community center manager for the Bolingbrook Park District, retired on May 12, completing a 22-year career with the district. Casado began her career in 1978 as a pre-school teacher. Two years later she was promoted to the full-time position of supervisor of pre-school and early childhood programs. Years later she was promoted again to superintendent of recreation in charge of all the districts recreation programs. In 1996 when the newly opened, award-winning Bolingbrook Recreation and Aquatic Center opened she became its first manager, a position she held until her retirement. At a retirement dinner in honor of Casado, Bolingbrook's director Ray chromowicz said: "Ada has seen change. She has caused change. And she has been affected by change. However, one thing Ada hadn't changed.. .her Christian behavior. Far more powerful and important than what Ada has done is who she is. She is honest, loyal, dedicated and Christ-like. Her legacy is her character and integrity."
Donna Adrasco, athletic supervisor for the Bolingbrook Park District for the past two years, has been selected to take over the position of community center manager for the retiring Ada Casado. Adrasco was selected from a statewide search for the best candidate. She has 20 years experience in the park and recreation field having worked previously for the Tinley Park District, The Alsip Park District and two special recreation associations.
Mindy Munn joined the Elk Grove Park District as the business services manager. She has worked for Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises as a senior accountant and Medicus Systems Corporation and LaSalle Bank. Munn is a graduate of Michigan State and is a Certified Public Accountant. In this new position, Munn serves as the district's chief financial officer. She is also responsible for the park district's technology and risk management systems as well as liaison with legal counsel and auditors as well. Ronald H. Dodd has been elected chairman of the I & M Canal National Heritage Corridor Commission. The commission members are appointed by the Secretary of the Interior to represent recreation, conservation, historic preservation, county elected officials, business and industry. Dodd is the executive director of the Joliet Park District. Previously he served as deputy general superintendent of the Chicago Park District and assistant director of the Dallas Parks and Recreation Department. Dodd has been a member of the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) since 1965 and was elected to the Board of Trustees in 1981, served as president of the American Park and Recreation Society and the Illinois Park and Recreation Association. Dodd also served as chairman of the Board of Regents for the National Institute of Golf Management. He was the recipient of several national awards including the National Park Foundation Cornelius Armory Pugsley Medal, and the National Distinguished professional Award from NRPA. The I &: M Canal NHC Commission was the first federal commission established by Congressional legislation in 1984 to "retain, enhance, and interpret, for the benefit and inspiration of present and future generations, the cultural, historical, natural, recreational, and economic resources of the corridor, where feasible, consistent 54 / Illinois Parks and Recreation PEOPLE AND PLACES with industrial and economic growth." The I & M Canal is now 150 years old. It spurred the settlement of northern Illinois from Chicago to LaSalle, and today is used extensively as a walking and cycling trail. Morion Costello was hired as supervisor of early childhood programming for the Deerfield Park District. For the past eight years, Costello was the preschool coordinator at the Arlington Heights Park District. She has a B.A. degree in Elementary Education and an M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction. She also holds certification in Administration and Supervision. Costello belongs to the Greater O'Hare Association for the Education of Young Children and Illinois Park and Recreation Association Early Childhood Education Committee. Linda K, Anderson was promoted to the position of superintendent of parks and recreation for the Deerfield Park District. She has 18 years of experience in recreation management, and prior to coming to Deerfield was a facility supervisor for the Park District of Highland Park. Anderson is a graduate of Ripon College in Ripon, Wise., and has a B.S. degree in Elementary and Physical Education. Ronald DeNard was appointed to the board of directors of The Parkways Foundation, a nonprofit organization founded in 1994 and dedicated to improving Chicago's parks through philanthropy. DeNard, vice president of finance for Soft Sheen Products, has a strong background in public finance and will serve a three-year term. He has been employed by Soft Sheen since 1996 and provides leadership for all Soft Sheens financial operations including forecasting, treasury, MIS, financial analysis and budgeting, general accounting, cost accounting, and international operations. Previously, DeNard was director of finance and chief financial officer for the Chicago Park District where he played a significant role in improving the park district's financial condition. He will serve on Parkway's finance committee. Scott Black was appointed by Neptune-Benson, Inc. as its Midwest Regional Sales Manager with the opening of their office in Indianapolis, Ind. Black brings over 14 years of experience in design, construction and sales of institutional pools and mechanical systems. He will direct all opera- tions for business development and customer relations from this central location. His personal involvement in aquatics dates back to high school when he was a New York State champion swimmer. Most recently, Black managed sales and marketing functions for a prestigious Indianapolis general contractor. Steve Konters joined the Recreation Team at Hitchcock Design Group as a recreation design specialist. Konters has five years of experience serving the recreation industry as a landscape architect. His most recent work was with O.W.P.&P. Architects in Chicago. He began his career with the Woodridge Park District planning, designing, and facilitating construction of recreational facilities. During his tenure with Woodridge, Konters managed the design and construction of several facilities including the 5-acre Echo Point Park, 2.5-acre Caddie Corner Park and Ide's Grove
July/August 2000 / 55 PEOPLE AND PLACES West. Throughout his career, Konters has built successful relationships with contractors, consultants, park equipment representatives, and community members.
Karen Dockery was hired by the Special Recreation Association of Central Lake County (SRACLC) as a recreation specialist with primary responsibility for senior programming, mini-programs and safety coordinator. Dockery is a graduate of Illinois State University with a bachelor of science degree in Parks and Recreation, Therapeutic Recreation emphasis and a minor in Psychology. Her field work includes three internships at various rehabilitation centers along with summer camp experience.
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Sam S. Manivong, Illinois Periodicals Online Coordinator |
