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PEOPLE AND PLACES

Six Illinois Agencies Vie for NRPA Gold

Six of the state's park and recreation agencies are finalists in the competition for 2005 National Gold Medal Awards for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management. The Gold Medal Awards honor the nation's outstanding park and recreation agencies for excellence in the field of recreation management.

The American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration (AAPRA) in partnership with the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) will announce this year's winners live on stage at NRPA's Annual Congress & Exposition opening general session in San Antonio, Texas in October.

The nominees are categorized by population served, with a total of five gold medals awarded. The Illinois nominees fall into three categories as follows:

Class III (population 50,001 - 100,000)

• Bolingbrook Park District

• Wheaton Park District

Class IV (population 25,001- 50,000)

• Homewood-Flossmoor Park District

Class V (population less than 25,000)

• Bloomingdale Park District

• City of Lake Forest Parks and Recreation

• Frankfort Square Park District

Porter Athletic Equipment Company and Musco Lighting LLC sponsor the Gold Medal Awards.

Lemont Park District Hires New Executive Director

Brian J. Sullivan began his tenure as the executive director of the Lemont Park District in February. In addition to having more than 18 years of leadership experience in the parks and recreation field, he is a Certified Playground Inspector and PPRP. For the past ten years, he served as the executive director at the Country Club Hills Park District, where he was instrumental in solidifying an agreement with the park district and School District

160 to build a community and recreation center. This agreement saved the residents money by preventing a community property tax increase. He also increased parkland holdings from 70 acres to 187 acres, enabling the district to add 14 park sites and build 17 new playgrounds. Sullivan has big plans for Lemont. "I am excited to take this already good park district and build a great one," he said.

New Executive Director Leads the List of New Hires and Promotions at Bartlett

Thomas C. White, the first and only executive director of the Bartlett Park District since its inception in 1973, retired June 30, 2005. When White became director, the district managed five parks totaling 68 acres, had one facility and only two full-time employees (himself included). Under his direction, the district acquired 32 new parks adding over 370 acres; built numerous facilities; and grew to 40 full-time staff and more than 400 part-time staff.

During White's tenure, the district became one of Illinois' Distinguished Agencies and earned the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting. White was responsible for obtaining more than $1,000,000 in grants and worked with board members to help pass the referendums to build the Bartlett Aquatic Center and the Bartlett Community Center. He was instrumental in starting the Bartlett Parks Foundation, a nonprofit organization set up to provide families with recreational scholarships for programs and services as well as provide art for the parks. Professionally, White served as co-chair of the IAPD/ IPRA Distinguished Agency Committee and as a member of the Bartlett Rotary Club.

40 Illinois Parks and Recreation www.ILipra.org

Rita Fletcher, an 18-year veteran and former superintendent of recreation for the Bartlett Park District, took over as executive director on May 1, 2005. She was officially selected to replace retiring executive director Thomas C. White in the fall of 2004. Fletcher earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Eastern Illinois University and a master's degree in recreation administration from Aurora University. In 2002, she was named Illinois Park and Recreation Facility Management Professional of the Year. Since 2000, she has served on the Illinois Park and Recreation Board and on the Illinois Parks and Recreation Association Profesional Certification Board, and she is a past president of the Suburban Park and Recreation Association. For the past seven years, she has served on the board of commissioners for the Village of South Elgin Parks and Recreation Department.

In addition to its new executive director, the district has promoted and hired several new staff members.

Kim Dasbach was recently hired as the superintendent of recreation. She oversees the recreation department, including three full-time recreation supervisors and a full-time marketing manager. Dasbach worked as the district's scheduling supervisor since August 2000. She also worked as the cultural arts coordinator at Mt. Prospect, responsible for programing and special events and as a recreation supervisor at Prospect Heights. Dasbach is a graduate of Northern Michigan University with a B.S. in recreation.

Allison Conrad comes aboard as the assistant health and fitness manager. Her responsibilities include: working under the direction of the health club manager, hiring and training all front desk staff and personal trainers, organizing schedules and dealing with club memberships and special events. Conrad previously worked as a fitness specialist and personal trainer at Delnor's Health and Wellneww Center in Geneva. She is a 2004 graduate of Millikin University with a bachelor's degree in sports management.

Sarah Wettergreen is the district's new assistand aquatic supervisor. She works under the direction of the aquatics manager, hiring and training all aquatic staff, supervising two aquatic centers and organizing swimming lessons. Wettergreen previously worked as a manager and lifeguard at the Geneva Park District for eight summers. She is a 2004 graduate of the University of Illinois witha bachelor's degree in early childhood education.

DeKalb's Music Man Earns IAPD/IPRA

Citation

On June 7th, just after taking up the baton to begin his 57th season as the director of the DeKalb Municipal Band, conductor Dee Palmer was presented with an IAPD/IPRA Community Service Award.

The award presentation was a surprise addition to the evening's program, which was the kick off of the DeKalb Municipal Band's 151st season and a celebration of the DeKalb Park District's 70th anniversary. The town band — the oldest in the state — performs every Tuesday evening of the summer at the district's Hopkins Park. Performances include soloists each week, with a special "pops concert" and fireworks show on July 4.

Palmer's family has long been associated with the municipal band. His grandfather conducted in the 1880s, and his father managed the band in the 1930s. The group released a CD in 2005 to commemorate its 150 anniversary.

"Dee is passionate about the municipal band, and he's quite a hero in this area," says Dave Mogle, the park district's executive director. "He has tremendous energy and charisma for a man his age."

The IAPD/IPRA Community Service Awards recognize outstanding contributions of time, money, services or volunteer work for the advancement of parks and recreation.