People, Places & Things          

The Homewood-Flossmoor Park District was awarded the National Gold Medal Award for 1991 in the Class IV division. The award was presented to Park District Executive Director Greg Meyer at the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) Congress held in October in Baltimore.

It is a great honor and tribute to any agency that to be named a finalist for this award. The six Illinois park districts named finalists for the Gold Medal Award were Homewood-Flossmoor, Peoria, Arlington Heights, Hoffman Estates, Norridge, and Alsip park districts.

This award is sponsored by the National Sporting Goods Foundation in cooperation with the NRPA. "We are just elated," said Meyer. "It is a real tribute to everyone who is, and has been, associated with the district. It recognizes the quality staff, activities, facilities and parks that residents are able to enjoy. Homewood-Flossmoor Park District President Kevin Welsh said, "This is exciting for everyone, the commissioners, staff and especially the Homewood-Flossmoor residents. We couldn't have done it without the tremendous community support and participation." The award focuses on three general areas: public service, community support and established growth. The selection process is discriminating, and competition is so formidable that a park district designated as a Gold Medal winner means that the district is among the elite in the field of parks and recreation.

Homewood-Flossmoor Park District Board Vice President Terence Elashik, left, Superintendent of Recreation Jill Bartholomew, Commissioner Kay Schebler, Superintendent of Parks Tom Kurow and Director Greg Meyer proudly display their Gold Medal Award.

Steven K. Messerli

Messerli named Executive Director of Lake County Forest Preserve District Steven K. Messerli has been appointed to the position of Executive Director for the Lake County Forest Preserve District. Messerli received a master's degree in public administration from California State University, and a bachelor's degree in physical education/health and biology from East Tennessee State University. He has served as Director of Infrastructure for San Bernardino County, Calif; Director of San Bernadino County Regional Parks; and Manager of Special Facilities for Ann Arbor Department of Parks and Recreation in Michigan.

Recreation Supervisor: Full-time supervisory position responsible for the over all operation of the District's Water Park facility, including the supervision of approximately 50 seasonal staff. Also responsible for planning, hiring, implementing and evaluation of Water Park facility. Other duties during the fall, winter and spring seasons would include general programming consisting of tot programs, special events and leisure center activities. Qualified applicants must have a bachelor of science degree in parks and recreation or a related fieId. Aquatic experience is desired. Certification is desired but not required. Salary range: $18,500—$25,000. Send resumes to: Superintendent of Recreation, Bensenville Park District, 1000 West Wood St., Bensenville, Ill. 60106 by Nov. 27.

The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) recently presented its National Distinguished Professional Award to Michael S. "Mick" Pope, Director of Parks and Recreation for Elmhurst Park District. The award was presented during a special ceremony at NRPA's annual Congress for Recreation and Parks in Baltimore.

Mick Pope has been a leader, a mentor and a role model for many park and recreation professionals across the country. Through his professional experiences, he has earned the respect of many who call him their colleague and friend.

He has contributed much in the 31 years he has served his profession. The many hats of Mick Pope reflect his diverse and undying dedication. He has served as Supervisor for the Topeka Kansas Recreation Commission, Director of Parks and Recreation at Homewood-Flossmoor Park District and presently as Director of Parks and Recreation at Elmhurst Park District.

As a leader in the field of parks and recreation, he has served as President of the Illinois Park and Recreation Association in addition to his memberships in the Illinois Park and Recreation Foundation and the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration.

He was instrumental in obtaining open space for the Wilder Park Addition in Elmhurst, which includes a Fine Arts Center, space for library growth and a 20 to 30 percent increase in open land for the community park. Putting this project together required cooperation from the city government and two non-profit fine arts organizations. He was there to make sure that the project moved ahead in a logical progression.

Pope also pulled together local hospital staff and board members along with the city to create the Courts Plus Fitness Center. The center operates as a joint venture that benefits many members of the community.

NRPA's National Awards program is designed to recognize those people and organizations which contribute to the improvement of park and recreation services.

The Champaign Park District dedicated its Tribute to Olympic Athletes on July 4 in Dodds Park. The monument bears witness to the monumental accomplishments of 24 Olympic athletes with Champaign County ties.

Twelve of the 24 athletes attended the dedication ceremonies and five others represented their survivors.

The design of the monument is intended to illustrate the difficult road to theOlympics — that many athletes may start out on that path, but few ever make the team. The front of the 32-foot-high monument is wide, with a gently inclining concrete walkway that narrows as it reaches at all rectangular opening. Beyond the opening is the granite platform with the names of the 24 local Olympians chiseled in, along with their event and the year they competed. There's room to add at least 20 more names. Champaign Park District Commissioner Don Bresnan emphasized that the tribute is "not just for those receiving gold medals, but for anyone who has earned the right to represent his country in the Olympics." The monument cost $200,000 to build. Some $78,000 of that was donated, including a $57,000 gift from the Edith I. Jones estate, and the remainder was paid for with park district funds.

This monument, a tribute to 24 Olympians from the Champaign area, is located in Champaign Park District's Dodds Park.

Carol A. Diver has been appointed as Secretary for the Chicago Park District. She will work directly with the Board of Commissioners scheduling public hearings and keeping records on Park District activities.

"The seven member Board has an extraordinary task of setting policy for the Park District's 561 parks," said President Richard A. Devine. "Carol brings the experience and ability to maintain the high level of efficiency that we and the public have learned to expect."

The Wood Dale Park District is accepting offers for a 1977 International Harvester 1800 Bus. This four speed, gas bus has seating capacity of 66 passengers. The bus has under 45,000 miles and newer tires, brakes, exhaust and a recent tune-up. The upholstery is in great condition as is the entire bus. Offers start at $3,000. Contact Mike Brottman at (708) 595-9333.