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 | Republican State Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka In a 15-minute address to the 100 leaders representing more than 70 statewide organizations, Topinka promised that if she were elected she would not sweep dedicated funds from the OSLAD grant program. And, she said, "I will hire a natural resources professional to run the department, and my top managers are going to be natural resources professionals." |
 | Mark Miller, The Conservation Forum worked out a set of policy, funding and management recommendations concerning conservation, recreation and environmental issues. The recommendations will be presented to the candidates for governor and lieutenant governor for consideration and implementation. The Illinois Association of Park Districts, the Illinois Environmental Council and the Illinois Federation for Outdoor Resources sponsored the event, which was held in Springfield. |
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Longtime Homewood-Flossmoor Park District Director Set to Retire  | Greg Meyer will retire as the director of the Homewood-Flossmoor Park District in June. He joined the district in 1974 as the superintendent of recreation. In 1981, he became the director -a position he's held until this year. Under his leadership, the district built and renovated several facilities, including the Coyote Run Golf Course, the Homewood-Flossmoor Sports Complex, the Homewood-Flossmoor Ice Arena, the Irwin Community Center and the Homewood-Flossmoor Racquet and Fitness Club. His administration also developed such unique parks as the Rovers Run Dog Park, the Extreme Scene Skate Park, Millennium Park and Patriots Park. Meyer worked with local residents to pass the Keep It Green Referendum in 1998, which helped preserve 156 acres of open space in the district's communities. Also during his tenure, the Homewood-Flossmoor Park District won the National Gold Medal Award in 1991. The district was named a National Gold Medal finalist in 2005. The agency received IAPD/IPRA Distinguished Agency status in 1997 and 2003. Meyer was granted an IPRA Professional Award in 1992 and an Outstanding Alumni of the Year Award from Southern Illinois University in 1998. He has served on the board and as a member of numerous committees for IPRA. He holds memberships with NRPA, IPRA and the South Suburban Parks and Recreation Professional Association. "I think my greatest accomplishment is to have surrounded myself with an outstanding professional staff that has taken and embraced the mission of customer service," he said. "My greatest challenge has been to juggle a number of projects and programs simultaneously and make them quality endeavors that the park district and community can be proud of. My hope for the park district is that they continue with the can-do attitude that they have had for the past 30 years. Money is always a limiting factor, but with the staff and board that the district currently has, great things will continue to happen. I wish the new director all the best, because the Homewood-Flossmoor Park District is certainly one of the best places to work." During retirement, Meyer hopes to focus on fishing, learning the game of golf and playing with his grandchildren. |
May/June 2006 page 36
New Director Named at Homewood-Flossmoor Park District
Debbie Kopas, the district's business manager, became Homewood-Flossmoor Park District's new executive director May 1. She succeeds Greg Meyer, who has held the position since 1981.
The district's board announced the decision in March after a national search aided by the Illinois Association of Park Districts.
"The board has found that selecting the next director was not only our most important decision to make, but also the most difficult one," said Pat Nevins, board president. "There were five highly qualified, excellent finalists who the board interviewed, including three from our own great staff."
Kopas has worked at the park district since 1991. She has been the district's business manager since 1993. Kopas is a graduate of Homewood-Flossmoor High School and holds a bachelors degree in accounting and business administration from Illinois State University. A Certified Park and Recreation Professional, Kopas is a board member of the Illinois Park and Recreation Association and the Park District Risk Management Agency. She is a masters degree candidate in public administration at Governors State University.
"I am honored and excited to serve this great park district in this new role. It is a dream I've been working toward for a long time," Kopas said.
Kopas will work side by side with Meyer until his official retirement date of June 16.
Princeton Park District Names Executive Director
 | Diane McCray joined the Princeton Park District as executive director in February. She brings more than 26 years of experience in parks and recreation to the position.
McCray has an undergraduate degree from Illinois State University in recreation and park administration and a masters degree in public administration from Northern Illinois University. She has worked for the Streamwood Park District as the director of parks, recreation, and museum; for the Roselle Park District as director, assistant to the director, and superintendent of recreation; and for the Wood Dale Park District as recreation center supervisor. She is a Certified Park and Recreation Professional. At Princeton, McCray oversees the district's operations and programs, as well as the Bureau County Metro Center. The district filled the executive director position after a conducting a search using the IAPD Executive Director Search Program. |
 | Brian C. Ramsey, CPRP recently joined the Carbondale Park District as its newly appointed executive director. Ramsey holds a bachelors degree in recreation from Southeast Missouri State University and associates in arts degree in theatre from Lincoln College. He is a graduate of the National Recreation & Park Association Aquatic Facilities Management School, the Illinois Park and Recreation Association Facility Management School and Illinois Park and Recreation Association Professional Development School. Ramsey has more than twenty years of experience as a parks and recreation professional. He has served as the recreation supervisor for the Alsip Park District, superintendent of recreation at Norridge Park District, activities director for Southwest YMCA of the Chicago Metro YMCA and pavilion manager for the Oak Lawn Park District. Most recently, he was the director of parks and recreation for the Village of Matteson. Ramsey has been an active member of IPRA, the South Suburban Park and Recreation Professional Association, the Old Plank Road Trail Commission and the South Suburban Special Recreation Association, where he served on the board of directors and as its president from 2002 to 2003. He has recently joined the Southern Illinois Parks and Recreation Association (SIPRA). The district used the IAPD Executive Director Search Program to help fill this position. |
May/June 2006 page 37
Chicago Park District's Boundless Playground Scheduled to Open in June
The Chicago Park District has broken ground to build the city's first public Boundless Playground , a barrier-free playground designed for children with special needs.
In June 2005, Parkways Foundation presented the Chicago Park District with a check to cover the $675,000 cost of the new playground, which is scheduled to be completed this June at Columbus Park, located at 500 S. Central Ave.
"The Park District is grateful to Parkways Foundation for taking on the challenge of raising funds for this unique playground that meets the needs of all children," said Timothy J. Mitchell, the general superintendent of the Chicago Park District.
The Parkways Foundation, the philanthropic partner of the Chicago Park District, has been working since 2003 to raise funds for the playground in the 135-acre Columbus Park.
The district worked with Boundless Playgrounds to build the new playground that is designed remove the barriers that limit the exploration and development of children with special needs, including children with physical, developmental and sensory disabilities. The playground will also accommodate parents with special needs who want to enjoy the park with their children.
"Parkways is excited to fund this valuable project," said Laura Barnett Sawchyil, president of Parkways. "This playground will give children with special needs an environment without any of the obstacles they face at traditional playgrounds, and allow Chicago to continue to be a leader in public park projects."
 | The Peoria Jaycees presented the 2006 Charles J. Schlink Good Government Award at their March 23 banquet to Peoria Park Board Trustee Roger P. Allen. Allen was recognized for the outstanding contributions, community leadership and service that he has demonstrated throughout his career. He has served on the Peoria Park District Board of Trustees as an elected volunteer for 26 years, serving five terms as vice president. A 37-year veteran of the field of finance, Allen has provided guidance as chairman of the district's Finance Committee for 25 years. During his tenure, the district has maintained its strong financial position, lowered the property tax rate and significantly expanded services despite periods of economic downturn. Allen's significant community service record also includes serving as treasurer on the IAPD Board of Directors, as well as serving on: the Peoria City Beautiful Committee, the Comprehensive Mental Health Board, the Lakeview Museum of Arts and Sciences Board, the Heart of Illinois United Way Fund Drive Board and the Central Illinois Alzheimer's Association Board. He is also involved with the local cemetery management authority and the Peoria Public School District. |
May/June 2006 page 38
A donation of playground equipment coordinated by the Channahon Park District to the children of Iraq took 15 months to move 75 miles. But the failure to get the equipment overseas wasn't through lack of effort, and the outcome still bolstered the spirits of children affected by the war.
In August 2004, Brian McCarthy, a park worker at the district, was called to active duty in Iraq with the U.S. Army's 411 Civil Affairs Battalion. After he had arrived, his co-workers in Channahon asked what things they could include in a care package to be sent to him and the rest of his squad. McCarthy replied that they had all the things they needed, but the Iraqi children had no playground or play equipment. He asked if the district could send equipment for the Iraqi children.
Staff members at Channahon contacted their vendors and gathered a four-bay swing set, two play panels and a basketball backboard from Bailey's Playscapes, Inc.; Parkreation, Inc.; and the Zenon Company.
That was the easy part.
Problems came when the district sought to ship the donation. The only private carrier that shipped to Iraq was UPS, and their cost was more than twice the value of the equipment. The district then tried shipping the equipment via the U.S. Army, but soon discovered that shipping playground equipment was low on the Army's priority list. District officials were told that it could take months to get the equipment to Iraq, and there was no guarantee that it would ever make it.
The district received assistance from Congressman Jerry Weller, State Representative Careen Gordon, Will County Executive Larry Walsh and Lieutenant Governor Pat Quinn, but no one was able to find a feasible way to get the equipment to Iraq. Lieutenant Governor Quinn's office suggested a compromise. The district should find a military base in the United States and send the equipment there. Channahon officials contacted the Great Lakes Naval Station in Great Lakes. In January, the base took delivery of the equipment and now has some new additions to its playground, thus ending a process that began in October 2004.
McCarthy's tour of duty ended in the summer of 2005. He returned to his job at the district last August.
May/June 2006 page 39
JBSRA Partners with Plainfield Township Park District
The Joliet-Bolingbrook Special Recreation Association (JBSRA) has partnered with the Plainfield Township Park District to offer residents of Plainfield with special needs the opportunity to participate in JBSRA programs.
The three-year trial agreement between the districts calls for programs to be held in both communities and establishes transportation services to shuttle participants to program locations for selected events.
Programs include basketball, bowling, swimming and more. JBSRA also participates in the Illinois Special Olympics. Events are available for individuals who are 8-years-old and over who have a mental disability.
JBSRA is a cooperative extension of the Bolingbrook Park District and the Joliet Park District that provides year-round recreation programs for individuals with disabilities.
Park District Conservation Day Is Coming to the State Fair on Saturday, August 19th
 | Volunteers and performers are needed for the 13th annual Park District Conservation Day at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield. Join the celebration of Illinois park districts, forest preserves, conservation and recreation agencies at one of the state's largest outdoor recreational events. Volunteers are needed to greet fairgoers, distribute giveaways, coordinate entertainment and assist with the "Park Play Station," a hands-on area for children to participate in park district activities. Singers, dancers, theater groups, tumblers, zoo exhibits and bands are encouraged to entertain the 100,000-plus fairgoers who will be in attendance that day. Volunteers and performers receive free parking and free admission to the fair. For more information about how you or your group can be a part of Park District Conservation Day, call IAPD Public Relations Manager Bobbie Jo Hill at (217) 523-4554 or bjhill@ILparks.org or visit www.ILparks.org to sign up. A block of rooms has been reserved at the Hilton Springfield at an $83.00 per night rate. Please call the Hilton at 1/800-445-8667 or 217/789-1530 and ask for the group block under Park District Conservation Day. |
 | Christy Powell was recently hired as the Geneva Park District's superintendent of finance and personnel. Powell is a graduate of Oklahoma State University and has her CPA with a masters in public administration from Northern Illinois University. She has more than nine years of professional experience. She has held positions with the City of Peoria, with the Village of Oak Park and, most recently, with the Village of Riverside, where she was the finance director. At Geneva, Powell oversees the accounting, human resource and technology operations for the district. She has been a member of the Illinois Government Finance Officers Association since 1997 and is also now a member of IPRA. |
 | The district has also recently hired Becky Lambert as superintendent of natural areas and interpretation. In her new position, Lambert is responsible for managing Peck Farm Park, including the natural areas, educational facilities and butterfly house. Prior to coming to Geneva, Lambert worked for the Oakbrook Terrace Park District for four years as the manager of the Lake View Nature Center. Lambert received a masters degree in education from Northern Illinois University and a masters in business administration degree from the Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University.While working for the Oakbrook Terrace Park District, Lambert received the IPRA Nature Center and Museum Manager of the Year award for 2005. She is a member of IPRA, the National Association of Interpretation, the Association of Nature Center Administrators and the Environmental Education Association of Illinois. |
May/June 2006 page 40
Oakbrook Terrace Hires Two New Superintendents
The Oakbrook Terrace Park District recently welcomed Holly Franz as its new superintendent of recreation and Melissa Alderson as its new superintendent at the Lake View Nature Center.
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Franz holds a B.A. in leisure studies from the University of Illinois and a masters degree in recreation administration from Aurora University. She was formerly a coordinator for the Hook a Kid on Golf Program and a recreation specialist for special recreation at the Waukegan Park District. She is a former marketing intern at the Oakbrook Terrace Park District. | 
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 | Alderson holds a bachelors degree in animal behavior and ecology from Northern Illinois University. She has worked at the Willowbrook Wildlife Center at the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County and, most recently, as a naturalist at Fullersburge Woods. |
Mundelein Park District Announces New Aquatic Supervisor
 | Ruth Popeck joined the Mundelein Park and Recreation District as the new aquatics supervisor in November. Popeck had been aquatic director of the Des Plaines Lattof YMCA, where she coordinated the swim team, synchronized swimming team, swim lessons, the masters swim team and water aerobics classes. She has also been the recreation supervisor for the Heritage Park Community Center at the Arlington Heights Park District. At Arlington Heights, she coordinated aquatic programs for three outdoor pools and also directed tennis programs and those associated with the district's sled hill and ice rink. Popeck graduated from Illinois State University with a B.S. in parks and recreation administration with a concentration in program management. |
 | Michael Lui recently joined the Winnetka Park District as a recreation supervisor. He is responsible for the beachfront operations, football and men's basketball programs, as well as a variety of community-wide special events for the district. Lui has spent the last five years at the at 17,000 sq. ft. aquatics center at the Lake View RecPlex in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin. Lui is a 2004 graduate from the University of Wisconsin — Parkside with a B.S. degree in sports management and English. |
 | Mary Cherveny also recendy joined the district as communications supervisor. She coordinates all print communication for the district. She was most recendy the public information and marketing coordinator at the Pleasant Dale Park District. During her 16-year career, she has held positions at Rolling Meadows and Glen Ellyn Park Districts as well. Cherveny has a B.S. degree in parks and recreation administration from Illinois State University.
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May/June 2006 page 41
The Hanover Park Park District Has a New Athletic Services Supervisor
 | Dan Tripp joined the Hanover Park Park District as the new athletic services supervisor in April. Tripp, a certified parks and recreation professional, has worked at numerous park districts over the last ten years. He brings experience in youth and athletic programming, sports camps and facility management. He earned a B.S. degree in recreation, park and tourism administration from Western Illinois University. |
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Bolingbrook Park District has hired Kari Miller for the newly created position of public relations specialist. Miller helps develop and implement the district's promotion and publicity program. She writes and sends press releases to the media, designs and delivers newsletters, photographs district events and edits brochures and other promotional materials. Miller came to the Bolingbrook Park District from the American Library Association. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in public relations from Bradley University. She currently resides in Naperville. | 
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Injured birds have a place to go for help in Chicago thanks to the Chicago Park District and Flint Creek Wildlife Rehabilitation, a suburban-based organization that opened a bird hospital at Northerly Island on April 1. The center, the only one of its kind in the city limits, treats injured birds of prey and songbirds from across the city.
Flint Creek Wildlife Rehabilitation recently finalized the agreement with the Chicago Park District to allow the organization to run the rehabilitation center at 1400 S. Lynn White Drive.
"The Chicago Park District is proud that the Flint Creek Wildlife Rehabilitation Center has located at Northerly Island, one of Chicago's newest parks," said Timothy J. Mitchell, the chief executive officer and general superintendent of the Chicago Park District. In 2004, Northerly Island — a 91-acre peninsula that was once a small municipal airport — became a part of the park district. It has undergone a series of landscaping and construction projects to convert the site into a park.
Flint Creek Wildlife's Northerly Island location will be a satellite location to its primary location in Barrington. The new location accepts injured birds by appointment. Rescuers with injured birds may contact Flint Creek Wildlife at (847) 602-0628.
May/June 2006 page 42
JLC Determines Criminal Background Checks on Minors Not a Legislative Issue to Pursue
After examining the financial impact to park districts, forest preserves and recreation agencies, the IAPD/IPRA Joint Legislative Committee (JLC) determined that the spring session was not an advantageous time to lobby aggressively to alter a questionable mandate that requires agencies to procure criminal background checks on prospective employees under the age of 17. State law requires agencies to perform criminal background checks on all applicants. But, because criminal issues involving minors are confidential, background checks on those under 17 would likely never reveal a criminal history.
In November, the JLC's asked its Research Subcommittee to evaluate the financial impact of having to conduct criminal background checks on those under the age of 17. Analysis of data gathered from all the agencies that responded to a JLC survey determined that the average annual cost per agency for background checks for persons under the age of 17 was $543. Further analysis showed that within the total number of agencies surveyed there are 32 agencies with 100 or fewer background checks, resulting in an average annual cost of $123 for those agencies.
www.ILparks.org May/June 2006 43
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