PEOPLE AND PLACES

Longtime Wheaton Executive Director Retires

Robert "Skip" Dunsmuir, executive director of Wheaton Park District for 31 years, has recently retired. Under his leadership, the Wheaton Park District was awarded the National Gold Medal /Ward four times - in 1984, 1990, 1996 and 2005. The district also was honored with the National Excellence in Aquatics Award in 1991 and with the U.S. Department of Interior Innovation Award for the Lincoln Marsh Wetlands Project in 1993.

Dunsmuir received IPRA's Professional Recognition Award in 1983, the IPRA Fellow Award in 1991 and the IPRA Bob Artz Award in 1998. He served as president of the Illinois Park and Recreation Association from 1986 to 1987 and held seats on three IAPD/IPRA joint committees. He is past director of the IPRA Administration and Finance Section, and he assisted in the development and organization of the Professional Development School sponsored by the A & F section.

He has been a member of the National Recreation and Park Association since 1965 and presented several educational sessions at the National Congress. He served on the Great Lakes Regional Council of NRPA from 1984 to 1990 and from 1994 to the 1999. He was chairman of that body from 1997 to 1998. He served on the board of directors for the Western DuPage Special Recreation Association since the organization was founded in 1976. He was chairman of the WDSRA board four times. He was elected to the NRPA Board of Trustees in 1999 and served until 2005.

Dunsmuir is a graduate of Southern Illinois University with a B.S. in forestry and an M.S. in parks and recreation management. He completed the revenue sources management school and graduate school, the executive development program of Indiana University, golf management school and professional development school.

His interests include breeding and showing English Setters. He is licensed as an American Kennel Club judge and served on the board of the 1,200-member English Setter Association of America from 1974 to 2001. He was president from 1980 to 1982. He enjoys the outdoors and hunts and fishes whenever possible. He and his wife, Peggie, are putting the finishing touches on their new log home in Tennessee.

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Lake Forest Parks and Recreation Department is Golden

The Lake Forest Parks and Recreation Department took home a National Gold Medal award from this October's NRPA Congress and Exposition in San Antonio, Texas. Gold medals represent and honor the nation's outstanding park and recreation agencies for excellence in the field of recreation management. The nominees are categorized by population served, with a total of five gold medals awarded. Lake Forest was chosen as the gold medal winner among agencies that serve a population of 25,000 or less. Another Illinois agency, the Wheaton Park District, took home the gold in the competition among agencies that serve a population of 50,001 -100,000.

In all, Illinois had six agencies in the final round of the competition. Those nominees vied for honors in three categories:

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

"The award sends a signal that the standard and expectation of parks and recreation services in Lake Forest is very high. As we move forward with the planning of a new park and recreation facilities, we will continue to be dedicated to listening to our residents and providing high quality facilities and services with minimal impact on the tax paying public," said Lake Forest Director of Parks and Recreation Fred Jackson.

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Procurement Card Allows Agencies to Spend Wisely and Earn Cash Back IAPD has teamed with PFM Asset Management, LLC to develop a new Procurement Card Program that allows agencies to monitor spending and earn cash rebates. Procurement cards look and operate like credit cards. They do not carry a revolving line of credit. The Procurement Card Program, free to all IAPD member agencies, offers many advantages: ■  Cards can be used anywhere MasterCard is accepted. ■  Vendors are paid within 48 hours. ■  There is no monthly or yearly cost to participants. ■  There is no limit to the number of cards agencies can request. ■  Misuse insurance is offered at no cost. ■  Cards can be encoded to restrict the number of times they can be used on a daily, weekly or monthly basis, and cards can be encoded to regulate the dollar amount charged to the card. ■  Participants can view the details of their account online 24 hours a day, seven days a week. ■  Cash rebates are given to participating agencies for purchases over a 12-month period. Woodridge Park District, the Park District of Highland Park and Addison Park District are already taking advantage of the Procurement Card. To find out more about the card, contact PFM's Bill Sullivan at 631-580-6205 or Margaret Carosella at 1-800-356-5148.

Hoffman Estates Park District Employees Honored as Lifesavers The Hoffman Estates Fire Department recently presented Lifesaving Awards to several Hoffman Estates Park District employees and patrons for their roles in assisting a tennis player who collapsed while playing at the district's Prairie Stone Sports and Wellness Center in September. Park district members and ten employees - including Chris Cabanban, Kyle Tomask, Mike Kies, Laura Walling, Tracy Hernandez, Katie Basile, Kathy Gabrys, Katie Pentz, Raul Garcia, and John Cincola - all contributed to the chain of events that kept Jack Melligan alive until paramedics arrived to take over treatment. The park district employees quickly notified the authorities after Melligan collapsed, Basile performed CPR, and Gabrys and Pentz used the club's automated external defibrillator. A patron who is an anesthesiologist inserted a breathing tube for Melligan. The district routinely prepares for emergencies such as this, said sistrict spokesperson Michele Lengerman. Defibrillators have been on site since Prairie Stone opened in 2000. "The staff renew their CPR certifications annually. They undergo emergency training once a month and have refreshers at their staff meeting every other week," she said.

Governor Blagojevich Announces $4.3 Million in Environmental Grants

This November, Governor Rod R. Blagojevich awarded more than 34.3 million in Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) Conservation 2000 (C2000) grants to help local communities protect and improve Illinois' environment. These grants will benefit communities in 93 counties.

"These grants are a critical investment in Illinois' diverse natural resources. The projects are generated by local communities, and will help protect the environment, provide more outdoor recreation opportunities, enhance tourism, and grow the economy," said Blagojevich.

To date, IDNR's C2000 Ecosystems Program has awarded more than $29.9 million in grants, benefitting every county in Illinois and leveraging an additional $37.8 million in local matching funds and in-kind contributions for a total of $67.7 million in projects throughout the state. In addition, nearly half a million citizens have been educated on natural resources stewardship, more than 62,000 acres of the Illinois landscape have been restored, plus nearly 5,580 acres have been permanently protected through conservation easements. Funding for these grants has been appropriated every year since 1995 using general revenue and bonds.

For more information on the C2000 Ecosystems Program, contact the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, One Natural Resources Way, Springfield, IL 62702-1271, 217/782-7940.

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Bolingbrook Creates Department of Natural Resources

With the goal of providing better management for the district's green spaces, the Bolingbrook Park District recently hired Alice Eastman as its first superintendent of natural resources.

Eastman comes to Bolingbrook from the Downers Grove Park District, where she served as manager of natural resources and interpretive services and managed the award-winning Lyman Woods, a 180 acre preserve and nature center. Eastman is a graduate of Eastern Illinois University with a degree in botany and environmental biology. She has 15 years of experience in natural resources management and interpretive programming. Eastman has written several successful grants and given numerous presentations to fellow professionals. She serves on the Board of Regents of the Supervisors Management School, a national training program for mid-level managers in parks and recreation sponsored by North Carolina State University.

While owning environmental areas in Winston Woods, Hidden Lakes, Gateway Wetlands and its three greenways, the Bolingbrook Park District, until now, has focused its resources primarily on active recreation. Park District Director Ray Ochromowicz noted, "Bolingbrook has always been a young active town, but increasingly I hear from citizens about wildlife and maintenance of woodlands, wetlands and prairies."

Nearly half of the district's 955 acres of open space are woodlands, weltands, prairie or water. This acreage is expected to increase as the greenways along the DuPage River and Lily Cache Creek expand. Enhancing natural areas and expanding interpretive and environmental education is long overdue, said Ochromowicz.

The purpose of the natural resources department is threefold:
1. To manage and improve the district's natural areas.
2. To plan a comprehensive schedule of environmental and interpretive programs.
3. To initiate a public awareness campaign to educate the community to the benefits of natural areas and wildlife.

For Eastman, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity. "This is cutting edge, an entire department devoted to natural resources and environmental programming. Being able to build a department from the ground floor up is a dream come true." Eastman began her new post December 29, 2005.

Hanover Park has New Director

Jeff Acks recently completed his first six months as the new director of parks and recreation at the Hanover Park Park District. He has worked at the district since 1989.

Acks says the district will focus on using its facilities and programs to serve more residents. "A long-range planning process will identify the district's needs and wants, and, together with staff and the board of commissioners, we will endeavor to achieve those identified goals. The past years at the district have taught me that proper and thorough planning is the key to successful projects."

Acks is a family man who has coached his five kids in soccer and baseball for the past 10 years.

Acks succeeded former director Larry Wheeler, who retired in June after 31 years with the district. He served as director for nearly 20. Wheeler came to the district in May 1974 as the pool manager. Not long after, he became a recreation supervisor and then moved on to become the assistant superintendent of recreation before taking the helm. During Wheeler's years as director, the district underwent a massive and complete renovation of all parks and facilities, including parking lots and playgrounds. The most significant addition was the development of the district's award winning family aquatic center "Seafari Springs."

"I feel grateful for the commitment and dedication of elected officials and staff, because without them it would have been impossible to do the job," said Wheeler.

IPRA Has New Education and Conferences Director

Dina Kartch joined TPRA in November. She is the new education conferences director. In this role, she will develop and manage the association's educational programs, as well as collaborate with IAPD to produce the IAPD/IPRA Annual Conference. Dina has a background in association management - specifically in the meeting and educational program management areas. Prior to her work with associations, she taught third grade for six years and has earned both her bachelor's and master's degrees in education. Dina looks forward to working closely with IPRA's members and staff.

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Forest Preserve Trail Provides New Access to Lake Michigan Thanks to a Lake County Forest Preserves initiative, people now have access to a section of Lake Michigan shoreline that has been virtually isolated from the public for 100 years. The new 1.4-mile asphalt paved trail at the Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve provides easy access to more than two miles of Lake Michigan shoreline for hiking, biking and cross-country skiing. (Swimming and boating are not allowed on this section of Lake Michigan.) Fort Sheridan Preserve is in southeast Lake County in the communities of Highland Park, Highwood and Lake Forest. The new trail features an expansive trail bridge over an ecologically sensitive ravine and an educational loop around the preserve's historic parade grounds. Work is underway on interpretive exhibits on the site's unique natural resources and rich military history. The northern 259 acres of the former Fort Sheridan military complex were transferred from the Army to the Lake County Forest Preserves after the base closed in 1993. The exhibits are scheduled for installation in 2006.

20 Acres Purchased for Park in Lindenhurst

The Trust for Public Land (TPL), a national nonprofit conservation organization, recently purchased 20 acres to be used to create one of the largest parks in the fastest growing area of Lindenhurst.

Lindenhurst Park District Executive Director Tom Lippert said, "Without TPL's assistance we would not be able to attain this very valuable land." With developers actively pursuing this property, TPL stepped in to purchase it for the district. TPL's move gives the district the time it needs to apply for a state land acquisition grant.

The 20-acre property is mostly farmland that includes a wetland and a grove of mature oak trees. The future park will be used for active and passive recreation and contain soccer fields and trails, as well as an observation deck for the wetland area.

Jeffrey Greenspan, senior project manager for TPL, said, "One of TPL's goals is to provide recreational opportunities in an area that needs recreational lands. This purchase will provide a park near residential communities for people to walk to."

The land is directly across the road from the Lake County Forest Preserve's McDonald Woods. The new park will connect with smaller Lindenhurst parks and the forest preserve.

"This property is a key to connecting existing parks and the forest preserve," Lippert said. "It will allow us create a greenbelt that will enhance the quality of life for all Lindenhurst residents."

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Photo by Mike Naylor

State Deems Chicago Park District's Montrose Beach Dunes Worthy of Protection

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources' Division of Natural Heritage recently designated Chicago Park District's Montrose Beach Dunes as an Illinois Natural Areas Inventory site worthy of protection. This is the first park district site awarded this designation.

"This honor is an exciting recognition of the growth and success of the Chicago Park District's Natural Areas Program," said Timothy J. Mitchell, the general superintendent of the Chicago Park District. "Montrose Beach Dunes is an inspiring example of a beautiful, healthy slice of nature in the urban landscape."

Montrose Beach Dunes is a more than nine-acre site located at the east end of Montrose Beach, the city's largest. The dunes were nominated as a Natural Areas Inventory site after volunteer site steward Leslie Borns consulted Debra Nelson, a biologist with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, in the summer of 2005 on ways to control the site's invasive plant species Sandbar Willow.

Upon visiting Montrose Beach Dunes, Nelson and one of her colleagues were immediately impressed by its unique flora and fauna and uncommon geological features, such as a panne, which is a wet depression in a dune.

"The Montrose Beach Dunes area contains several naturally occurring threatened and endangered plant species and provides important resting and foraging opportunities for migrating birds, including the federally endangered Piping Plover," Nelson said.

The Chicago Park District, upon Borns' recommendation, set aside the Montrose Beach Dunes as a fenced, protected natural area almost six years ago and has been working to restore the dunes to their natural state. The goal is to encourage the growth of native grasses, sedges, rushes and forbs adapted to the dunes area and to monitor threatened and endangered plants for the Chicago Botanic Garden's Plants of Concern Program. Volunteers have contributed countless hours by performing restoration management activities, monitoring plants and leading educational programs at the dune habitat.

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Lisle Has a New Superintendent of Finance

Scott Silver was recently hired as lisle Park District's superintendent of finance. Silver came to Lisle from the Naperville Park District where, during his 5 1/2 years of service, he worked to increase Naperville's bond rating from an AA2 to an AA1 status.

Currently, Silver teaches a boys and girls gymnastics program at the Naperville Park District that is open to all youth, including WSRA students, up to the age of 15. He has been involved in this program for seven years.

He also has nine years of part time teaching experience at Morton College in Cicero and is a coach for Aurora's Kickers Traveling Soccer team.

Silver has done income tax preparation for the past 25 years. He earned his MBA from DePaul University.

Medinah Park District Hires New Superintendent of Recreation

The Medinah Park District recently hired Bruce E. Boum as its new superintendent of recreation. He succeeds longtime superintendent Suzanne Waghorne, who resigned her position to spend more time with her young family.

Baum is a graduate of North Central College with undergraduate majors in recreation administration and psychology. He has more than 20 years of professional experience. He has held positions with the Warrenville, Bourbonnais, LaGrange and Naperville Park Districts and with the Village of Romeoville. He is a member of NRPA, IPRA, SPRA and the National Federation of Interscholastic Officials Association.

Baum will oversee the operations of the recreation department and has management responsibility for program and revenue development.

Waghorne served the district as superintendent of recreation since 1991. She joined the district as a recreation supervisor in 1988 after graduating from Illinois State University.

During her 17 years at the district, Waghorne was responsible for the increased popularity of the district's recreation programs, classes and events. She was also involved in two expansions of the district's Thorndale Recreation Center.

At her "retirement" celebration, Park Board President, John Rose, said, "Suzanne worked extremely hard at building our programs, and she really succeeded in creating something we can all take pride in. The community will certainly miss her."

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Morton Grove Hires new Rec Supervisor This November, the Morton Grove Park District hired Kevin Slobodecki as recreation supervisor in charge of athletics. Slobodecki has a long history with Morton Grove. He started as a lifeguard when he was 15. He continued summer employment in aquatics through college and was the recreation intern during the summer of 2003. After earning a bachelor's degree in program management from Illinois State University, he accepted the position of "assistant skatium supervisor" at the Skokie Park District. At Skokie, Slobodecki was responsible for the daily building operations at the Skatium Ice Rink.

Genoa Has New Rec Supervisor

The Genoa Park District hired David Johnson as recreation supervisor in October. Johnson has a bachelor's degree in recreation and park administration from Illinois State University. His internship with the City of Elgin Recreation Department provided him with experience in athletics, administration and organization. This past summer, he was the aquatic supervisor at the Hoffman Estates Park District, where he oversaw the Seascape Outdoor Aquatic Center, which employed 100 staff. He supervised the swim lesson program, special events and the daily operations of the facility. His responsibilities with the Genoa Park District are in the areas of athletics and aquatics.

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SEASPAR Hires New Rec Specialist

Kristina Neven has joined the South Hast Association Special Parks and Recreation (SEASPAR) staff as a recreation specialist to coordinate children's weekly programs, special events and aquatics. Neven, a former SEASPAR fieldwork and intern student, is a recent graduate of Eastern Illinois University, where she received her bachelor's degree in therapeutic recreation. She also received the ITRS Student Award in 2005 for her excellent academic work and outstanding promise in the field of Therapeutic Recreation.

University of St. Francis Appoints Recreation Administration Faculty

Dr. Lyle Hicks was appointed chair of the Department of Recreation Administration at the University of St. Francis in Joliet. An associate professor, he holds an Ed.D. in education with a specialization in adult education from Northern Illinois University. He also has an M.S. in recreation administration with a specialization in public and commercial recreation from Southern Illinois University. Dr. Hicks has thirty years of teaching, administrative and work experience in the fields of education and public, commercial and military recreation. He has a special interest in adult learning and leisure counseling, sport facility operations management, resort operations management, risk management and fitness equipment design.

Dr. Sydney Sklar also recently joined the faculty an assistant professor of recreation administration specializing in therapeutic recreation. Dr. Sklar is returning to the Chicago area after earning his Ph.D. from the University of Florida. Prior to his doctoral studies, he served for nearly four years as the outreach services coordinator for the Fox Valley Special Recreation Association. He holds an M.S. in therapeutic recreation administration from Aurora University. He is a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist and has special interests in youth development, mental health, psychosocial aspects of leisure and disability, and therapeutic recreation in the community and outdoors. He currendy serves on the boards of directors for the National Therapeutic Recreation Society and the Illinois Recreational Therapy Association.

Wilmette Golf Course Clubhouse Opens The Wilmette Golf Club's new clubhouse opened in time for golfers to enjoy before the end of the 2005 golf season and stands ready to serve golfers for many years. The $7 million, two-level, masonry clubhouse replaces a facility that was struck by fire. It features a grill-style restaurant, where up to 144 diners can gather in a banquet setting and enjoy views of the 18-hole golf course. In a day-to day seating arrangement, the facility can accommodate 100 diners under its exposed timber posts-and-beam dinning room ceiling. The operation includes a full-service commercial kitchen and bar. "The dining room overlooking the 18th hole makes for a wonderful hospitality venue," remarks Terrence Porter, director of parks and recreation for the Wilmette Park District, which operates the course. "The facility works extremely well with the flow of our golf course, presenting a multiple service setting between the nines." Other clubhouse amenities include a pro shop, golf bag storage space, locker rooms, administrative offices, two 400-square-foot instructional training rooms and lower-level indoor parking space for up to 70 carts. "The design vision for this facility depicted a new clubhouse that would blend with the traditional character of the community'," notes Scott Lange of Carol Stream-based Williams Architects, which developed the design. "This character is reflected in the building's Tudor-influenced style." The thoughtful integration of the new facility into the community has evidently paid off, as, according to Porter, "Residents and customers alike rave about the new clubhouse. It has exceeded everyone's expectations."

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New Front Desk Manager at the Butterfield Park District

Amanda Heiman was hired this fall as the new front desk manager at the Butterfield Park District. She is responsible for coordinating registrations, scheduling facility use and promoting park district programs and activities, including the layout and design of the program brochures. She has a bachelor's degree in art from the University of Wisconsin — LaCrosse. She minored in public relations and organizational communication. She has a wide range of park and recreation experiences, working with camps in both the non-profit and public sectors.

Speakers Sought for 2006 International Youth Sports Congress The National Alliance for Youth Sports is seeking session proposals for the 2006 International Youth Sports Congress, which will take place September 21 to 23 in Washington, D.C. The International Youth Sports Congress is a three-day comprehensive educational training discussing cutting-edge topics in the field of youth sports. More than 400 delegates from more than 20 countries attended this year's congress, which was held in Denver, Colorado. Those interested in presenting a session at the 2006 International Youth Sports Congress can e-mail yscongress@nays.org

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