PEOPLE AND PLACES

Project Moves Mud to Make Parks

Good parks sprout from good dirt. That's the idea behind an innovative project that will ship 105,000 tons of sediment dredged from Peoria Lake 163 miles up the Illinois River to Chicago's old U.S. Steel South Works facility. There, the mud will be unloaded and spread atop the 17-acre slag-covered site to a depth of 2 to 3 feet. Native grasses will be planted, and the rich, fertile sediment will soon support a park on the shore of Lake Michigan.

Rich soil is transported by barge from Peoria Lake to the Chicago area where it will literally become the base for a new park. Photo by Brook Collins, Chicago Park District.

The "Mud-to-Parks" project grew from the work of Dr. John Marlin, an Illinois Department of Natural Resources scientist. Marlin ran a pilot project in 2002, in which sediment was collected near Peoria and barged to a Chicago landfill. Grasses now grow on that site. Marlin approached Lieutenant Governor Pat Quinn with the idea in February 2003 and a diverse working coalition was organized.

Floating the mud upriver solves a number of problems. Chicago has dozens of brownfields and old industrial sites in need of restoration, but topsoil from suburban sites would be costly and the thousands of trucks required to transport it would give the state highways and Chicago city streets a beating. Shipping the mud also helps relieve the sedimentation problem on the Illinois River. Each year, 14 million tons of sediment go into the river basin, reducing navigability of barge traffic and destroying habitat for fish and waterfowl. Sport fishing, bird watching and boating in both Peoria and Chicago will benefit from the project. And migratory birds that use either the Illinois River flyway or the Lake Michigan shoreline will find higher quality habitats and food sources.

Once dredged, the first batch of sediment will take a two-day trip to a slip near Lake Michigan at 87th Street in Chicago. There, it will be excavated from the barge and trucked a short distance to an old steel mill site purchased by the Chicago Park District. When the sediment reaches an appropriate consistency, planting will begin. The vegetation is expected to be in full bloom next spring.

Partners in the Mud to Parks project include the Chicago Park District, the offices of Lieutenant Governor Pat Quinn and Congressman Ray LaHood, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, the Illinois Department of Agriculture, the Illinois Waste Management and Research Center, the City of Chicago Department of Planning, the City of Chicago Department of Environment, Fon du Lac Park District in East Peoria, the Chicago Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, Artco Fleeting, the Midwest Foundation, N.E. Finch Company, Caterpillar Inc., the Kress Corporation and others.

New Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation In Oak Brook Michael Sletten has joined the Oak Brook Park District in the newly created position of assistant director of parks and recreation. He is responsible for overseeing the staff in the parks and recreation departments and at the Family Recreation Center. He comes to the district after serving 17 years as director of parks and planning for the Bloomingdale Park District and serving two years as construction supervisor for the Glenview Park District. He has a B.S. in forestry from Southern Illinois University and an MBA , in business management from Illinois Benedictine University.

September/October 2004 - 67

New IAPD/IPRA Web Site Plugs the Public Into Park Events

A new web site, developed by the Joint Public Awareness Committee (JPAC), gives the public direct access to parks, facilities and events provided by IAPD and IPRA members. The site, www.illinoisparksandrecreation.com, allows visitors to search for a variety of from batting cages to zoos statewide. Information is to a page that provides agency addresses, phone numbers, email addresses and web sites. JPAC encourages agencies to use the site as a vehicle for promoting their events.

"This is a big step in the public awareness process," says Matthew Ellmann, JPAC co-chair and director of the Park District of LaGrange. "And it is a great opportunity for individual districts and agencies to reach thousands of people through the Internet."

A calendar on the site lets you list your major event so that visitors can find exciting things to do at park and recreation agencies throughout the state. Instructions on how to list your event are posted on the calendar page of the site. When you submit an event to the calendar, it is forwarded to a site administrator for review and will be officially posted within a few days.

"This is truly a first for our two associations," says Fred Hohnke, JPAC co-chair and commissioner for the Woodridge Park District. "Spreading the good word about parks and recreation is in the JPAC mission, so we were very happy to get this site launched."

For more information on the new JPAC public web site, contact Tom Ford at IPRA 630-752-0141 or Lynn McClure at IAPD 217-523-4554.

IN MEMORIAM David L. Lambert, the acting sector supervisor for the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County and formerly an employee of the Boone County Conservation District in Illinois and the Dane County Parks in Wisconsin, died on May 17, 2004. He was 33 years old. He was actively involved with the University of Illinois Extension and IPRA and was working toward a master's degree in parks and administration at Aurora University. He was the IPRA's Professional of the Year in 2003 and was given the IPRA Chairman's Award in 2004. He is survived by his wife, Becky Lambert, who is the director of the Lake View Nature Center at the Oakbrook Terrace Park District; his parents; his brother; and his mother- and father-in-law. Kevin T. Kendrigan, a pioneer in providing leisure services for people with disabilities, died June 28 after a battle with cancer. He was 58 years old. In the early 1970s, Kendrigan lobbied the Illinois General Assembly for a state law to create a unique entity — an association comprised of park districts - that would provide programs for people with disabilities. In 1973 Kendrigan became the first executive director of Illinois' first special recreation association, the Northwest Special Recreation Association, a position he held for the next 30 years. Kendrigan was also a member of the IPRA and NRPA. He served on the LAPD's Joint Legislative Committee and on the board of the Illinois Special Olympics. He also founded the Special Leisure Services Foundation, a fundraising arm of the NWSRA. He is survived by his wife, Catherine Kendrigan; two children; three sisters; two brothers; and three nieces.

68 - Illinois Parks and Recreation

Funding Appeal Benefits Study on the Economic Benefits of Parks

Agencies lobbying policy-makers for more resources could use an 'ace in the hole' to convince legislators that money put into park, recreation and conservation agencies is a solid investment. The IAPD research advisory council is prepared to deal them that ace — in the form of solid information on the economic impact of local parks and recreation agencies in Illinois.

The research advisory council is searching for both hard data and seed money to further establish parks, recreation and conservation as major contributors to the Illinois economy. The IAPD has engaged Economic Research Associates (ERA) to conduct this project. ERA, a highly qualified and internationally-renowned economics research consulting firm with more than 40 years' experience in the field of recreation economics research, is currently surveying members and determine the economic impact of local parks and recreation agencies in Illinois.

The study will address:

• Why parks, recreation and conservation are vital components of the economy, real estate values and quality of life;
• The economic importance of parks, recreation and conservation in Illinois in terms of both direct spending and ripple effects;
• The fiscal impact of Illinois parks, recreation and conservation spending on Illinois businesses.

An executive summary will be available in November and a final report in early 2005.

The project will require cooperation and input from park districts, forest preserve districts, conservation agencies and municipal park and recreation agencies. The report findings will rely heavily on the responses received from these agencies.

Beyond the need for information, the research advisory council encourages agencies to pledge financial support for this research, which will cost $35,000.

The IAPD is especially grateful to the following districts and other organizations for their contributions totaling $6,600:

• Glenview Park District
• St. Charles Park District
• Byron Park District
• Rockford Park District
• Hoffman Estates Park District
• Round Lake Area Park District
• Vernon Hills Park District
• Pleasant Dale Park District
• Belvedere Park District
• Bartlett Park District
• Lemont Park District
• Glencoe Park District
• Rend Lake Conservancy District
• Coalition of Conservation and Forest Preserve Districts
• Arlington Heights Park District

Since the research will benefit all agencies in Illinois, the IAPD urges each agency to send a contribution. If you have questions regarding this project, please contact IAPD Development Director John Comerio or IAPD Public Relations Director Lynn McClure at 217-523-4554.

September/October 2004 - 69

IPRA Hires New IT and Business Managers

Dean Comber joined IPRA on a full-time basis in June. He is the association's new information technology and information services manager. Comber came to IPRA from Follett Corporation, where he held the position of information technology project manager. He is a graduate of the University of North Dakota and double-majored in management information systems and commercial aviation. He has extensive experience developing web-based applications utilizing ColdFusion and SQL Server programming technologies.

Richard Klemundt is IPRA's new director of finance. He graduated in 1973 from Quincy University with a B.S. in accounting. He started as office manager at a small plating company and rose to the rank of CFO over the next 17 years. During this time, he earned his Certified Public Accountancy license. He left manufacturing and went to work in the not-for-profit sector. He has held positions with Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago in 1990 and the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago. He has been married for twenty-seven years. He and his wife Eileen have three children.

New Superintendent of Parks Joins Winnetka Park District Staff

The Winnetka Park District has hired Robert J. Smith, a veteran of parks administration for the last 25 years, to replace Richard Blust as Winnetka's superintendent of parks.

"Bob Smith brings a wealth of knowledge, energy and creativity to this position, and we are thrilled to have him on board," said Liza McElroy, director of parks and recreation, Winnetka Park District.

Before joining the Winnetka staff, Smith worked for four years as superintendent of parks and planning for the Park District of Franklin Park. Highlights of his tenure there include the oversight of a $2 million park renovation — the largest in the village's history — as well as management of three neighborhood park renovations and assistance with three property acquisitions.

From 1990 to 2000, Smith was superintendent of parks for the Morton Grove Park District, serving a population of 23,000. "In 1997, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources awarded the district the Award of Excellence, an achievement in which Bob played a key role," according to his supervisor at the time, Gary Balling.

Smith began his parks career in 1976 with the Bensenville Park District, where he worked his way up the ladder from a seasonal worker, to grounds keeper, to supervisor of buildings and grounds from 1979 until 1990.

Smith obtained both bachelor's and master's degrees in public administration from Governors State University while working full time. He holds A.A.S. degrees in park management and horticulture from Harper Community College, and he holds numerous certifications and technical licenses.

70 - Illinois Parks and Recreation

New Rec Supervisor Comes to the Wood Dale Park District

Christopher Corbett is the new recreation supervisor for the Wood Dale Park District. His responsibilities include adult and youth programming and athletics. Corbett came to the park district from upstate New York, where he served as the program director at a YMCA. He also worked for a Houston Astros minor league affiliate for two seasons. He holds a bachelor's degree in sports management from the State University of New York -Cordand.

Lake County Forest Preserves Facility Undergoing Green Renovation

One of the most popular Lake County Forest Preserves will become even greener.

This July, construction began on the Ryerson Conservation Area's new environmental education and visitors' center. The conservation area is near Deerfield.

The new center will maximize use of natural light to reduce electrical costs. A geothermal heating and cooling system will employ the temperature of the earth to reduce energy use. Rainwater will collect in a cistern under the new building for fire protection, toilet flushing and landscape watering. Many building materials were selected because they cause less environmental impact to produce or transport and because they will create a more healthful indoor environment for visitors, staff and volunteers. A new 100-car parking area will have permeable asphalt pavement that allows storm water to soak in instead of running off, the first use in Lake County of this innovative type of pavement. Use of native plants in landscaping will reduce water use and maintenance costs.

The 5,200-square-foot center will include a reception and exhibit area, program room, nature library, public restrooms, education staff and volunteer offices and support facilities.

The $2,513,100 project also will renovate an existing historic farm building for use as a maintenance facility and will complete related site improvements. Funding for the project includes bonds approved by voters in 1999 and 2000. The Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation is providing two grants totaling $104,565 toward green architecture design costs and an energy-efficient geothermal heating and cooling system.

The new building and site improvements are expected to earn certification by the national Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program of the U.S. Green Building Council.

IPRA Announces Newly Certified Professionals

Aaron Blatner, APRP, Naperville Park District
Angela Moisan, APRP, Worth Park District
Adam Stevens, APRP, Naperville Park District

72 - Illinois Parks and Recreation

New Soldier Field Praised for Design and Environmental Efforts

The new Soldier Field has won 13 awards since reopening to the public last year. Praise for the stadium includes honors from construction associations and publications, civic organizations and environmental groups for collaborative problem solving, teamwork, context-sensitive design, outstanding engineering, excellence in construction management, environmental innovation and many other categories.

Revitalization of the historic Soldier Field, which was originally constructed in 1924, was part of the city's Lakefront Redevelopment Project to renovate the stadium and the surrounding area.

Since reopening to the public in September 2003, the facility and its project design and construction team have been honored with the following awards:

• Overall Project of the Year - Midwest Construction magazine
• 2004 Engineering Excellence Honor Award for Special Projects — The Consulting Engineers Council of Illinois
• 2004 Build America Award - The Associated General Contractors
• Outstanding Project of 2003-2004 -The Association of Subcontractors & Affiliates (ASA Chicago)
• 2004 Merit Award for New Construction Chicago -The Chicago Building Congress
• 2004 Best Open Space Project Award - The Friends of Downtown
• 2004 Building Team of the Year, Grand Award - Building Design & Construction Magazine
• 2004 Green Roof Award of Excellence - Green Roofs for Healthy Cities
• 2004 Excellence in Structural Engineering Award, "Best Structure" — The Structural Engineers Association of Illinois
• 2004 Merit Award, Innovative Design and Excellence in Architecture Using Structural Steel (I.D.E.A.S.) - The American Institute of Steel Construction
• 2004 Construction & Design Award - The Engineering Society of Detroit
• 2004 Outstanding Engineering Achievement Award - The Illinois Engineering Council
• 2004 Building with Trees Award of Excellence - The National Arbor Day Foundation

Soldier Field has been the home of the Chicago Bears for more than 30 years.

September/October 2004 - 73

Sterling Park District Hires Track Club Coach

The Sterling Park District has hired Mike Turk to coach the Sterling Track Club's cross country and indoor/outdoor track teams and to serve as assistant manager for the district's Westwood Sports & Expo Center.

A native of Mendota, Illinois and graduate of Augustana College in Rock Island, Mike is the former head track coach of Western Michigan University and former assistant track coach at Marquette University. He completed his USTAF Level III coaching certification in July.

New Rec Supervisor in Position at Downers Grove

The Downers Grove Park District recently hired Angus Shields as a recreation supervisor. He comes to the district from the River Forest Park District where he was the athletic supervisor. A University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign graduate. Shields interned at the Wheaton Park District and worked for the Glen Ellyn Park District. In his new position in Downers Grove, Shields is in charge of youth sports including soccer, basketball and volleyball, as well as the summer Tuesday Family Concert series, the 5- and 10-miler race and the fishing derby.

74 - Illinois Parks and Recreation