PEOPLE & PLACES IN THE NEWS District Earns National Aquatics Safety Award
The Rockford Park District's three swimming pools (Alpine, Fair Grounds, and Sand Park), Levings Park lake beach, and Magic Waters theme park again earned a national safety award. The Platinum National Aquatic Risk Management Safety Award was presented to the district because it demonstrated excellence in safety, a top rating from the Jeff Ellis & Associates International Aquatic Safety Consultant Group. The three unannounced audits produced a 99.5 percent rating for the district's aquatic facilities. The award recognizes not only the facility but the supervisory staff and front-line lifeguards who provide superior guest safety protection. Youth Win Big in McDonald's NBA 2Ball The pilot year of the McDonald's NBA 2Ball youth basketball skills program culminated with a state competition during halftime at a Chicago Bulls home game in early April. Twelve teams—boys and girls—competed to determine the state champions and earn a $500 donation from McDonald's for each winning team's home park district or recreation department. Waukegan's Danny VanHoogen and Zachary Buhnerkemper won over Centralia's Brooks Demigan and Josh Moore in the boys 9-11 age category. Romeoville's Lauren Palmer and Lyndsey Kruger won by tiebreaker over Chicago's Melissa Wegner and Katie VonMoser in the girls 9-11 age category. Normal's Nick Baughman and Trent Smith won over Centralia's Chris Ladwig and Darren Griffin in the boys 12-14 age category. Chicago's Karissa Ulanski and Amy Harmening won over New Lenox's Mary Lattz and Katrina Bruckner in the girls 12-14 age category. Waukegan's Langston Hughes and Joel Walker won over Decatur's Ronnie Staples and Trey Hill in the boys 15-17 age category. Decatur's Jana Hawkins and Jennie Davis won over Chicago's Lajuan Garcia and Shovonda Howard in the girls 15-17 age category.
Ekey is credited with leading the district toward this more than 162 percent growth and fostering an unprecedented spirit of intergovernmental cooperation among the city's parks, schools and other units of local government. His work has made a lasting impact on all aspects of the district operations including improved communications, planning, golf services, recreation and special events, and financial management. In 1982 the district won the Government Finance Officers Association Certificate of Achievement for excellence in financial reporting and has won the award each year since. Also during his tenure the district was recognized as an IAPD/IPRA Distinguished Park and Recreation Agency, providing superior park and recreation services to the community. In 1994, Ekey received the IPRA Robert M. Artz Award, which recognizes professionals whose efforts have had lasting value and created an awareness of the importance of parks and recreation in the community served. Ekey earned a bachelor's degree in Recreation Administration from Michigan State University and a master's in Recreation Education from Purdue University. Earlier in his career, he held the positions of national representative for the American National Red Cross in Tulsa, OK; director of parks and recreation at West Lafayette, IN; and director of the Bloomington (IL) Parks and Recreation Department.
The Downers Grove Park District announced the recent hiring of Eileen M. Loftus as a recreation supervisor. Her primary areas of responsibility are programming holiday and special events, aquatics, tumbling, and gymnastics classes. A graduate of Eastern Illinois University with a degree in Recreation Administration, Loftus for the past five years was employed by the South East Association for Special Parks and Recreation (SEASPAR). She is a member of the National Recreation and Parks Association and the Illinois Parks and Recreation Association (IPRA) since 1989 and has served in a variety of capacities. Currently Conference Committee co-chair and the Community Division Coordinator for the Illinois Therapeutic Recreation Section of IPRA, Loftus was recognized as the section's "1995 New Professional of the Year." She is the president of the Special Recreation Association of Northern Illinois (SPRANI) where she is also involved on the Inter-Agency Sports Committee. Certified as a therapeutic recreation specialist (CTRS) and as a Special Olympics coach for softball, basket- 52 • Illinois Parks & Recreation • July/August 1996 PEOPLE & PLACES IN THE NEWS ball and volleyball, she is trained in crisis prevention intervention (CPI) and basic and pediatric first aid.
Cermak is a certified leisure professional and a member of the Illinois Park and Recreation Association and the National Recreation and Park Association. He holds a bachelor of science degree in Administration of Parks and Recreation Services from George Williams College. The Downers Grove Park District Board utilized the IAPD Director Search Service for this hiring.
Kathleen Cassens was recently hired as deputy director of the Joliet Park District. Cassens' duties include supervision of the Public Information Office, Inwood Park Complex, and Golf Operations. Cassens will also serve as a liaison to the Joliet Park Foundation, and administer grants and fund-raising. Cassens comes to Joliet Park District from the Forest Preserve District of Cook County where she served as director of planning and development. Cassens' experience includes serving as director of parks and recreation at the Roselle Park District and the Itasca Park District. Cassens received a bachelor's degree in Recreation and Park Administration from Western Illinois University and a master's degree in Business Administration from Aurora University.
** FOR SALE** Two (2) pair, pro style MEDART basketball standards with rectangular glass backboard, rim, crown mat base padding, sold as is. $3,000 per pair minimum. Sealed bid by September 13,1996. Can be seen at Hanover Park Park District—708/837-2468—Brian T. Smith.
** FOR SALE** The Carol Stream Park District Fitness Center Is Selling a Complete Set of Exercise Equipment. Listed Below is the Equipment for Sale.
1. Pyramid vertical chest press For more information contact Chris Hull at 708/260-7855. Illinois Parks & Recreation • July/August 1996 • 53 |
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After fifteen years of service to the residents of Naperville,
Glen Ekey, executive director of the Naperville Park District,
is retiring effective December 31,1996. When Ekey arrived at
the district in 1981, Naperville's population was 45,600 and
the park district had 55 parks on 769 acres of land. Today,
Naperville's population is estimated at 107,000 and the park
district boundaries have grown to more than 35 square miles;
the district owns 2,017 acres of land supporting 111 parks and natural areas.
The Downers Grove Park District has hired Dan Cermak as its
new director effective June 1. Cermak, a staff member for 18
years and a lifelong Downers Grove resident, joined the park district in
1978 as a program supervisor and golf manager. He was promoted in
1979 to director of special facilities, including the district's historic
9-hole golf course, the driving range, the Downers Grove Museum, the
miniature golf course and concessions. In 1981, Cermak was again
promoted, taking on additional responsibilities as the deputy administrator.
John Curran recently joined
the Tinley Park-Park District as its
director of parks and recreation.
Curran holds a bachelor of science
degree in Recreation and Park Administration from Western Illinois
University. He previously held the
position of director of parks and
recreation at the Alsip Park District for 16 years.
His accomplishments include being the recipient of the
National Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation
Management in 1993, the Professional of the Year from the
South Suburban Park and Recreation Professionals Association
in 1993, and the Illinois Park and Recreation meritorious Service Award in 1994.
The Tinley Park-Park District Board utilized the IAPD
Director Search Service/or this hiring.