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PEOPLE AND PLACES Gold Medal Award Finalists Announced Finalists for the 2003 National Gold Medal & State Park Awards program were announced by the National Sporting Goods Association's (NSGA) Sports Foundation, Inc. These awards are presented annually to communities throughout the United States for excellence in park and recreation administration, in cooperation with the NSGA and the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA). Illinois finalists for 2003 include: Naperville Park District, Schaumburg Park District, DeKalb Park District, Glen Ellyn Park District, Bloomingdale Park District, Frankfort Square Park District and Itasca Park District. Grand Award Winners in each class will be based upon improvement, service, continuing development, extent of future planning and degree of participant involvement and acceptance by the community. Winners will be announced and honored at the NRPA Congress on October 21, 2003 in St. Louis, Missouri. Vernon Hills Park District Recognized The Vernon Hills Park District has been recognized with the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for its comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR) for the eighth year. The certificate was awarded by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada. It is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management. The award-winning CAFR demonstrated a constructive "spirit of full disclosure" to clearly communicate its financial story and motivate potential users and user groups to read it. Maria Pineiro, Vernon Hills Park Districts business manager, was presented with an Award of Financial Reporting Achievement for being primarily responsible for preparing the award-winning CAFR. IPRA Announces Newly Certified Professionals
• Tiffany M. Benecke, CPRP, Freeport Park District
Chad Dyson was promoted to Superintendent of Recreation at the Westmont Park District. His responsibilities include managing the Recreation Department and directing and administering all recreation service for the Westmont Park District. Chad came to the Westmont Park District in February, 1999 as the Athletics Coordinator. He received a B.S. in Sports, Health, Leisure, and Physical Studies from the University of Iowa.
William H. "Bill" Sturgis, PPRP, has been hired by the Blue Island Park District as its new Director of Parks and Recreation. With more than 14 years of experience in parks and recreation, Sturgis has served as director for the Norridge Park District in Illinois and the director for the City of Dunbar, West Virginia. He earned a B.S. in Forestry from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale with a self-designated major in recreation administration and business. He is a member of the Illinois Park and Recreation Association and the National Recreation and Park Association.
Pam Sanhamel, along with Brandon Evans, was awarded Best Facility/Design Article for "Golf Course Management Strategies." The article discussed a number of new and innovative programs, and the conclusion specifically indicated how the management strategies paid off. Editor's Note: Pam's photo was mistakenly omitted from the Literary Award Winners list in the March/April issue of Illinois Parks & Recreation. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Kristin LaGrano was named Area I Coordinator for the Northwest Special Recreation Association. Kristin is a graduate of the University of Minnesota, majoring in Therapeutic Recreation. Her responsibilities include coordinating facilities and developing programs for NWSRA programs in the member park districts of Buffalo Grove, Inverness, Palatine, Rolling Meadows, Salt Creek and Wheeling. She is also responsible for coordinating programs for seniors.
D.J. Newport was named Inclusion Coordinator for the Northwest Special Recreation Association. D.J. is a 2000 graduate of Western Illinois University, majoring in Recreation Parks and Tourism. His responsibilities include coordinating inclusion programs for NWSRA programs in the member park districts of Bartlett, Hanover Park, Hoffman Estates, Schaumburg and Streamwood. May/June 2003 45 Evie Murray, NWSRA Administrative Office Coordinator, will be retiring from the agency in the end of April, 2003. Evie has been an NWSRA employee for 21 years and has been responsible for administrative support to the director, payroll processing, bookkeeping, accounting and data entry. Upon retirement, Evie will continue to live in Palatine and spend her time golfing, gardening and traveling.
Kristi Bolton was promoted to Special Events & Volunteers Manager for the Champaign Park District. Her duties include managing all district special events, negotiating contracts, and overseeing and assigning volunteer projects. Previously, Bolton was Youth Sports Coordinator for the district and has worked as the Director of the University of Illinois Football Camps. She graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a B.S. in Kinesiology and an M.S. in Leisure Studies.
Gary Balling, Executive Director of the Park District of Oak Park, was honored with the 2002 Distinguished Alumnus Award from the Recreation Administration Department at Eastern Illinois University. Balling was recognized for 27 years of service and dedication to the field, including involvement and leadership in IPRA, PDMRA and SPRA. Balling was the 2001 recipient of the IPRA Professional Award. At the April 11 Awards Ceremony, Balling reflected on his career and shared his vision for parks and recreation with 60 students, alumni and faculty.
The Illinois Association of Park Districts is currently taking grant applications for the Power Play After-School Grant Program. All park and recreation agencies in Illinois are encouraged to apply. The application guide was mailed to each agency on May 15. You may also download the guide from the IAPD Web site at www.ILparks.org. The deadline to submit an application is July 1.
* Limit entries to 75 words or fewer. Accompanying black-and-white or color digital or print photographs are welcome. Submissions are published in the order in which they are received and as space is available. May/June 2003 46
Don Jessen, NRPA Vice-Chairman (Addison Park District); Dennis Flanagin (Lan-Oak Park District) IAPD Chairman; Congressman Jerry Weller and Ray Morrill (Wheaton Park District), met on Capitol Hill during the Mid-Year Conference. Congressman Weller took time for a photo during a meeting break from the House of Ways and Means Committee. Kelly Barclay has been promoted to Office Manager at the Vernon Hills Park District. She is reponsible for managing the registration process, the receptionist staff, the operation of the front desk at the Sullivan Center and the technology needs for the district. She has been with the park district for more than five years as the Registration Clerk, and previously served in a part-time capacity as a camp counselor and receptionist. Barclay has her associates degree from the College of Lake County. Paul Weber has been promoted to Fitness/Facilities Supervisor at the Vernon Hills Park District and is responsible for the scheduling and maintenance of the Sullivan Community Center and Fitness Center operations. Weber has been with the park district for more than two years as a fitness supervisor. He graduated from the University of Illinois with a B.S. degree in finance. Willowbrook Wildlife Foundation is a Friend of the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County The Friends of the Furred and Feathered, later called Willowbrook Wildlife Foundation, created a successful relationship with the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County. The foundation's goal is to support Willowbrook Wildlife Center and serve the people and wildlife of DuPage County.
With their ongoing support, Willowbrook's education programs and wildlife rehabilitation efforts are augmented by sponsorship of student fellowship positions in education, wildlife rehabilitation and wildlife medicine. The foundation has also funded special projects including remodeling the center's interior and purchasing diagnostic equipment for the clinic. Willowbrook Wildlife Foundation is a nonprofit organization supporting the programs and activities of Willowbrook Wildlife Center in Glen Ellyn. More than 600 members support the Willowbrook Wildlife Foundation. For more information, visit www.willowbrookwildlife.org. Tell us about your friends People from all walks of life are making a difference in parks and recreation. These "friends" make monetary contributions, give their time to clean-up parks and forest preserves, teach classes or coach sports teams. Tell us about friends of your agency and we'll publicize them in this space. E-mail jcomerio@ILparks.org or call 1-877-523-4558. About Friends of Illinois Parks
Friends of Illinois Parks is a nonprofit organization that strives to involve more citizens statewide as friends in these ways and others, such as legislative advocacy. To learn more about Friends of Illinois Parks, call toll-free 1-877-523-4558 or see www.ILparks.org. May/June 2003 47 Jason "Jay" Bullman has been hired as the Aquatics/Facilities Supervisor, a new position at the Vernon Hills Park District. He is responsible for the operations and staffing of the Aquatic Center and scheduling of the Laschen Community Center, Deerpath and Hartmann facilities. He has been in the recreation field for more than 10 years, and comes to the Vernon Hills Park District from the Arlington Heights Park District, where he was the recreation supervisor. Bullman graduated from Elmhurst College with a B.A. degree in History/Education with a minor in Coaching. Joe Bruntmyer has joined the Vernon Hills Park District as an athletic supervisor. He is responsible for the boat dock rentals and some of the youth and adult athletic programs. Bruntmyer has been in the recreation field for nearly 10 years. He comes to Vernon Hills Park District from the Village of Lake Zurich Park and Recreation Department, where he served as the Athletics and Aquatics Supervisor. He graduated from St. Cloud State University in Minnesota with a B.S. degree in Recreation Administration. Agencies Encouraged to Explore Grant Opportunity Agencies interested in expanding or making needed improvements to local park and recreation facilities can apply May 1 through July 1 to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources' Division of Grant Administration. Grant funding assistance is available through the Open Space Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) and federal Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) programs. The OSLAD/LWCF programs can provide up to 50% funding assistance for the acquisition and/or development of land for public park and outdoor recreation purposes. Grant awards up to a maximum of $750,000 for land acquisition and $400,000 for facility development and renovation are available. Those eligible to apply are any unit of local government in Illinois with statutory authority to acquire and develop lands for public park and outdoor recreation purposes. Grants are awarded competitively based on written applications submitted by July 1.
For more information on the OSLAD/LWCF grant programs or to request a current grant manual, contact the Illinois Department of Natural Resources; Division of Grant Administration; One Natural Resources Way; Springfield, IL 62702. Contact can also be made via e-mail at grants@dnrmail.state.il.us, fax at (217) 782-9599 or by phone at (217) 782-7481. See http://dnr.state.il.us/finast.htm for program information and the grant manual.
GIVE US YOUR BEST SHOT! Show off your agency and its visual images with "Give Us Your Best Shot," a photo contest sponsored by the Illinois Association of Park Districts and the Illinois Park and Recreation Association. Photos submitted may be used in future editions of Illinois Parks drRecreation magazine, on the cover of the IAPD/IPRA Membership Directory and Buyers'Guide, or in other IAPD/IPRA projects. Enter as many times as you like in four categories: recreation, sports, wildlife and nature/landscapes. All entries must feature Illinois scenes. For complete guidelines and an entry form, go to www.ILparks.org or www.il-ipra.org. Enter by October 1, 2003. 48 Illinois Parks and Recreation |
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