PEOPLE AND PLACES

Glenview Park District Names New Executive Director

The Glenview Park District Board of Commissioners has appointed Charles T. (Chuck) Balling as its executive director. Prior to moving to Glenview, Balling was the executive Director of the Gurnee Park District for the nine years. He succeeded Tom Richardson, who retired from the district after serving as its executive director for 15 years.

At Gurnee, Balling was responsible for the overall administration and operations of the district, which includes the Viking Park Community Center, the Hunt Club Park Aquatic Center, as well as the new Hunt Club Park Community Center that is currently under construction. The Gurnee Park District has 24 park sites on more than 300 acres. The district more than doubled its amount of open space during Balling's tenure. Balling was part of numerous cooperative agreements between the Village of Gurnee, school districts, the township and several non-profit agencies. The Gurnee Park District received the 2004 National Park and Recreation Association Excellence in Aquatics Award (Best in the Nation), as well as the 2002 Illinois Park and Recreation Association Outstanding Facility Award (Division III) for the Hunt Club Park Aquatic Center. PDRMA, as well as Ellis & Associates also recognized the district as having one of the top safety and lifeguarding programs in the nation. The IPRA gave Balling the Professional Recognition Award in 1999.

His past experience also includes serving as the director of leisure services for the Elmhurst and Homewood-Flossmoor Park Districts, as well as program manager for the Naperville Park District. He holds a B.S. degree in parks and recreation administration from Eastern Illinois University and an M.A. degree from DePaul University

Plainfield Park District Employee Wins WIU Distinguished Alumnus Award

Cheryl Crisman (right) accepts WIU's 2006 Distinguished Alumnus Award.

Cheryl Crisman, the Plainfield Park District's business and community relations manager, was named the 2006 winner of Western Illinois University's Jim Berousek Distinguished Alumnus Award.

The award, named after a 1974 graduate who died suddenly and unexpectedly in 1989 just short of his 38th birthday, recognizes a recreation, park and tourism program alumnus who has carried on the department's tradition of high professional standards. The award was presented to Crisman on January 27 during the IAPD/IPRA annual conference.

"The Plainfield Park District is very proud of Cheryl and her achievement. We see her performance every day, so we know she is deserving of such a recognition," said Plainfield Park District Executive Director Greg Bott.

Crisman was originally hired as a recreation supervisor for special events in May 1998, and was promoted to her current position in January 2004. Previously, she was an assistant manager for the Hanover Park Park District's Centre Court Athletic Club from June 1997 to April 1999. In her current position, Crisman's primary responsibilities include the coordination of special projects and planning of special events and community-based programs. Recent projects have included supervising the park district's comprehensive master plan, comparative fee analysis and 2001 community survey. She is also responsible for developing and soliciting alternative revenue programs.

Crisman, a Certified Park and Recreation Professional, earned her Master of Science degree in recreation, park and tourism administration from Western Illinois University, winning the department's 1997 Outstanding Graduate Student Award. She also has bachelor's degrees in psychology and public recreation from South Dakota State University.

36 Illinois Parks and Recreation www.ILipra.org

Friends of Illinois Parks Recognizes Donors at Conference

Ambassador-level friends include representatives from: Ancel Glink Diamond Bush DiCianni and Krafthefer; IPARKS; and W-T Engineering

Many of the vital programs offered by the IAPD could not occur without assistance from many corporations and businesses. The following corporations were recognized at the annual conference for their generosity towards the IAPD through support of Friends of Illinois Parks:

Ambassador level members ($1000 or more)

•  Scott Triphahn, W-T Engineering, Inc.
•  Eddie Wood, Burnham & Flower/IPARKS
•  Rob Bush, Ancel Glink Diamond Bush DiCianni and Krafthefer

Benefactor level members ($500 to $999)

•  David Fitzgerald, Fitzgerald Lighting and Maintenance
•  Neil Pollock, PHN Architects
•  David Phillips, Speer Financial, Inc
•  Marc Hurley, Paveloc Industries Inc.
•  Tod Stanton, Design Perspectives, Inc

Patron ($250 to $499)

•  Fred Lantz, Sikich Group

Through the generous support of these companies, Friends of Illinois Parks is able to continue funding research, PowerPlay! after-school grants and the Bresnan Commissioner Scholarship programs offered by the IAPD. Friends encourages you to express your support of these Illinois companies throughout the year. For membership information on Friends of Illinois Parks, check the IAPD Web site, www.Ilparks.org.

And don't forget the golf...

Mark your calendar for the IAPD and Friends of Illinois Parks 2006 Summer Golf Tour. The presenting sponsor is W-T Engineering. The event sponsor is Park & Recreation Supply, Inc./Team Reil. The events are: May 9 at Poplar Creek, June 6 at Settlers Hill, August 9 at Makray Memorial Golf Club and September 26 at Steeple Chase.

www.ILparks.org March/April 2006 37

State Releases Nearly $20 Million in OSLAD Grants for Parks Across Illinois

Agencies across the state will get a nearly $20 million boost thanks to the Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) grant program. In conjunction with the IAPD/IPRA Annual Conference in January, Governor Rod Blagojevich announced the approval of grants for 58 park projects.

IAPD agencies fared particularly well in the granting process. Thirty-six of the 58 agencies receiving grants were IAPD members, who received a more than $13,600,000 of the available grant money. On average, IAPD member grant recipients were awarded $105,000 more per grant than non-member agencies.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) facilitates the grants process.

According to the IDNR, the following agencies received funding for land acquisition projects:

•  Chicago Park District - $1,055,000 to acquire 0.47 acres. Future development includes soccer field and playground equipment.

•  Village of Dakota - $112,400 to acquire 8.64 acres to develop a sports park.

•  City of Elgin - $750,000 to acquire 128 acres. Future development includes playing fields, tennis and basketball courts, a playground, a skate park and parking.

•  Kane County Forest Preserve Commission — $750,000 to acquire 80 acres. Future development includes a parking area, restrooms, interpretive trails and habitat restoration.

•  Kendall County Forest Preserve District - $750,000 to acquire the 120-acre Jay Woods. Future development includes interpretive hiking trails, shelters, habitat restoration and a parking area with restroom facilities.

•  McHenry County Conservation District - $750,000 to acquire a 204-acre oak savanna and wetland complex. Future development of the site includes parking and restrooms and interpretive trails.

•  Northbrook Park District - $627,000 to acquire 1.88 acres. Future development includes a playground area, a basketball court, a multi-use path and landscaping.

•  Princeton Park District - $303,500 to acquire 40 acres adjacent to an existing park site that will allow for the future development of a regional sports complex.

•  Wheeling Park District - $451,200 to acquire 10 acres. Future development includes a lighted baseball field, a soccer field and natural landscaping areas.

•  York Center Park District - $602,500 to acquire 6.5-acres adjacent to an existing park. Future development includes a nature center, a loop trail with fitness stations, a pavilion, native plantings with interpretive signs and parking.

The following agencies received grants to develop parkland:

•  Bartlett Park District - $400,000 to improve Leiseberg Park with a multi-purpose sport court, a water spray play area, picnic shelter/restroom building, pond improvements with wetland plantings, landscaping and additional parking.

•  Batavia Park District - $299,600 to develop the 31-acre Tanglewood Hills Habitat Park. Amenities include a playground, fitness stations, shelter, hiking and interpretive trails, fishing stations, habitat restoration, stream bank stabilization and parking.

•  Village of Beach Park - $211,300 to complete development on Geo-Karis Park.

•  Benton Community Park District - $189,100 to renovate the 138-acre Benton Community Park. The project includes two new playgrounds, resurfacing of the existing tennis courts, lighting for the existing basketball courts, a walking path around the park, roadway improvements and additional parking.

•  City of Bloomington - $365,500 to add facilities at 67-acre Miller Park. Development includes a new playground, a water sprayground area, a gazebo and landscaping.

•  Bolingbrook Park District — $400,000 to construct a multipurpose athletic complex with four softball fields, two soccer/football fields, a pathway, landscaping and a parking lot expansion.

•  Village of Brookfield Playground and Recreation Department - $398,000 to develop the 5.67-acre Ehlert Park with a picnic area, senior citizen's area, a skate park, sports fields, a jogging trail and parking.

•  Byron Park District - $224,000 to develop the nine-acre Blackhawk Meadow Park. Amenities include two softball fields and a soccer field, a basketball court, a playground, a shelter, a pathway, landscaping and parking.

•  Campton Township - $400,000 to develop the 120-acre Poynor Park.

•  Champaign Park District - $275,000 to develop the seven-acre Toalson Park. Amenities include a picnic area, a playground, half-court basketball and landscaping.

•  City of Chicago — $988,100 to redevelop two existing park sites and a school grounds.

•  Village of Downs - $52,500 to renovate Dooley Park.

•  DuPage County Forest Preserve District - $400,000 to develop interpretive walking trails and restore prairie, wetland and woodland areas at Danada Forest Preserve in Wheaton.

•  Fox Valley Park District/Kendall County - $302,000 to develop a 19-acre park district site and an adjacent 72-acre forest preserve property. Development includes a shelter, a restroom building, a playground, sports fields, a multi-use trail with interpretive signage and parking.

•  Frankfort Park District - $336,000 to renovate Main Park. Improvements include a new playground area, two shelters, a senior area, a multi-use court for in-line skating and basketball, a new restroom building, a radio control car course, a frisbee golf course and a parking area.

•  Freeport Park District - $400,000 to renovate the 124-acre Krape Park. Improvements will be made to the playground areas and multi-purpose fields, and a pathway with interpretive areas will be developed.

•  Glen Ellyn Park District - $400,000 to develop the 16.4-acre Maryknoll Park. Amenities include platform tennis, bocce ball courts and horseshoes, a playground area with adjacent water sprayground, a shelter with restroom facilities and additional trails with interpretive signage.

38 Illinois Parks and Recreation www.ILipra.org

•  Village of Glendale Heights Park and Recreation Department — $400,000 to renovate the nine-acre Reskin Park. Development includes two picnic shelters, horseshoe courts, a multi-use trail and a new parking area.

•  Golf Maine Park District - $228,500 to develop Dee Park with a water sprayground, a senior recreation area, a cricket pitch and landscaping.

•  Grayslake Community Park District - $400,000 to develop the 40-acre Alleghany Park. Amenities include sports fields, picnic shelters, a playground, a restroom/concession building, a fishing pier, landscaping and a parking area.

•  Village of Hanover - $30,000 to renovate White Park.

•  Havana Park District - $246,100 to develop the existing 15.6-acre Riverfront Park with floating docks and an interpretive center with restrooms.

•  Joliet Park District - $117,400 to upgrade the 1.8-acre Hartman Park with a new playground, a water sprayground and a pavilion.

•  Village of Kilbourne - $27,000 to upgrade Kilbourne Park.

•  Village of Lake Zurich - $400,000 to upgrade Paulus Park.

•  McHenry County Conservation District — $127,000 to develop the Boger Bog Conservation Area. Development includes a shelter, a restroom, a trail loop with a wetland boardwalk and interpretive signage, a council ring and a parking area.

•  Midlothian Park District - $233,200 to redevelop Kostner Park, a 9.33-acre site. Amenities include a multi-use trail with fitness stations, a playground, sports fields, a shelter, native landscaping and parking.

•  Village of Minooka - $400,000 to renovate the 15.2-acre Lions Park.

•  Village of Mount Morris - $111,700 to develop the three-acre Mounder Park.

•  New Douglas Township - $114,900 to develop an eight-acre park.

•  New Lenox Community Park District — $301,000 to develop the 36-acre Crystal Springs Park. Amenities include a playground, two pavilions, bocce and shuffleboard courts, a fishing pond, a wetlands overlook with interpretive signage and parking.

•  City of Nokomis — $16,200, to renovate an existing city park.

•  Oak Brook Park District - $246,000 to develop the 40-acre Dean Nature Sanctuary. Amenities include nature trails with interpretive signage, a picnic shelter, fishing platforms, a canoe launch, habitat restoration and a parking area.

•  City of O'Fallon - $400,000 to begin development of the 205-acre Family Sports Park.

•  Village of Olmsted - $10,500 for improvements to Olmsted Park.

•  Rockford Park District - $341,000 to develop the 50-acre Southwest Community Park. Phase I includes sports fields, a shelter with restrooms, a playground and parking.

•  Village of Round Lake Beach - $400,000 to develop the 6.67-acre Round Lake Beach Park.

•  South Barrington Park District - $400,000 to develop a 20-acre parcel with lighted sports fields, tennis courts, a walking trail, a playground, a concession building with restrooms and a senior area.

•  Village of South Jacksonville - $175,500 for park improvements to Godfrey Park.

•  Springfield Park District - $400,000 for the initial development of a 78-acre site. Phase 1 development includes a playground and picnic area, a bicycle/pedestrian pathway, a water playground, lake excavation and an amphitheater.

•  St. Charles Park District - $385,100 to develop the 183-acre Primrose Park. Phase I development includes a 1.5-mile extension of a regional bicycle path, interpretive trails and signs, two shelters, wetland restoration, landscaping and parking.

•  Village of Steger - $75,000 to redevelop the 36-acre Veteran's Park.

•  Sumner Park District - $157,200 to construct a softball field and install a new playground at the 31-acre Sumner Park.

•  Tremont Area Park District - $400,000 to construct a new zero-depth swimming pool, a filter building, a concession area, a bathhouse and to renovate the existing pool.

•  City of Watseka - $246,000 to develop the 14-acre Clement Pond Park.

•  Waukegan Park District - $400,000 to develop a forestry-themed playground, a water sprayground, an interpretive trail with signage, an outdoor stage and classroom, and a ten-station exercise trail system.

•  Forest Preserve District of Will County - $256,000 to develop a 32-acre site. Amenities include a one-mile segment of the DuPage River Trail, a shelter, a canoe launch, latrines and parking.

•  City of Yorkville - $362,000 to develop the 12-acre Whispering Meadows Park.

www.ILparks.org March/April 2006 39

WiPRA Thanks You for Tuning In

New in 2006 for IPRA is the informal yet educational "radio show" that you can listen to on your computer, WIPRA -The Voice. These types of shows, also known as Podcasts, have been popping up all over the Internet, and IPRA is ready to start talking parks and recreation.

The informal format, sometimes downright funny, is a unique way to communicate with IPRA members. Guests of the show will assist in promoting upcoming educational workshops and will talk openly about topics that are of interest to you.

Check out the latest WIPRA shows on the IPRA Web site, www.ILipra.org, or on The Blog Spot, http://IPRA.blogspot.com.

IAPD Honors Notable, Distinctive and Master Board Members

Outgoing IAPD Chair Pam Newton presents Hoffman Estates Park District Commissioner Scott Triphahn with a plaque honoring his achievement of Master Board Member status.

The IAPD Board Member Development Program gives recognition to local board members who consistently go above and beyond the call of duty through committee involvement, attendance at continuing educational opportunities and achievements at the local, state and national levels.

The program tracks board members' accomplishments obtained during terms on their local boards. Participants accumulate "Board Development Units" (BDUs) yearly from October 1 to September 30 for park district, forest preserve, conservation and recreation-related activities in which they have participated. Notable Board Members have accumulated 100 units. Distinctive Board Members have accumulated 400 units, and Master Board Members have accumulated 750 units. Master Board Members retain their status through the accumulation of retention units each year.

The following recognitions were given for 2005:

Master Board Members

Wendell Howell, Hoffman Estates Park District
Julie Longfield, Worth Park District
Lois Nickson, Macomb Park District
Scott Triphahn, Hoffman Estates Park District

Distinctive Board Members

Vicki Carney, Prospect Heights Park District
Gloria Klimek, St. Charles Park District
Jim Popp, Manhattan Park District
Jerry Stout, Wood Dale Park District

Notable Board Members

Donald Andersen, Oak Lawn Park District
Tom Cooke, Elk Grove Park District
Marianne Cordell, Bartlett Park District
Ron Foster, Elk Grove Park District
Frank Lazzara, Wood Dale Park District
Nicholas Milissis, Golf Maine Park District
Andy McPherson, Palatine Park District
Ron Nunes, Elk Grove Park District
Bill O'Malley, Elk Grove Park District
Carol A. Sente, Vernon Hills Park District
Ralph Souder, Elk Grove Park District

Master Board Members Retaining Their Status

Stanley Budzinski, Pleasure Driveway and Park District of Peoria
Oscar Dahl, Northbrook Park District
Joseph Favero, Waukegan Park District
Christine Gentes, Round Lake Area Park District
Ronald Ory, Naperville Park District
Cynthia Peterson, Vernon Hills Park District
Mary Wright, Naperville Park District

40 Illinois Parks and Recreation www.ILipra.org

Board Members Honored for Years of Service

Several board members from Illinois park districts, forest preserves, conservation and recreation agencies were recognized this January at the IAPD annual business meeting with "Board Member Service Anniversary Awards" for 20 or more years of service on their local boards.

"The amount of voluntary time these commissioners have dedicated to improving the quality of life in their communities through parks and recreation is admirable," said Ted Flickinger, president and CEO of the IAPD. "They are what make Illinois park districts, forest preserves, conservation and recreation agencies among the best in the nation."

IAPD Board Member Service Anniversary Award recipients are recognized for their outstanding contributions, community leadership and service to advance parks, recreation and conservation in the state of Illinois.

Honored for 20 years:

James Blackburn, Forest Preserve District of Will County
Marianne Cordell, Bartlett Park District
Kelli Garvanian, Vernon Hills Park District
Betsy Gillies, Urbana Park District
Jeanne T. Goshgarian, Round Lake Area Park District
Larry Kight, Beardstown Community Park District
Dorothy Lange, Wood Dale Park District
Cynthia T. Peterson, Vernon Hills Park District
Robert Quigley, Burr Ridge Park District
Paul Shaffer, Frankfort Park District
Jerry Stout, Wood Dale Park District

Honored for 25 years:

Roger P. Allen, Pleasure Driveway and Park District of Peoria
Ronald E. Glick, Veterans Park District
Donald R. Jessen, Addison Park District
Sandra J. Smith, Westmont Park District

Honored for 30 years:

Newton H. Dodds, Champaign Park District
Vernon McKinley, Foss Park District
Martin P. Paliga, Calumet Memorial Park District
James P. Petkus, Oak Forest Park District

Honored for 35 years:

James A. Cummings, Peoria Park District

Agency Anniversaries

Four park districts were recognized at the IAPD annual business meeting for reaching a milestone in their years of service to the communities they represent. The following park districts were presented with Agency Anniversary Awards:

Byron Park District, 25 years
York Center Park District, 35 years
Olympia Fields Park District, 50 years
Barrington Park District, 75 years.

Outgoing IAPD chair Pam Newton (right) honors Jim Petkus of the Oak Forest Park District for his 30 years of board service.

Outgoing IAPD Chair Pam Newton (right) presents Christine Garry of the Barrington Park District a resolution honoring the district's 75 years of service.

www.ILparks.org March/April 2006 41

Two Directors Named at Fox Valley

Nancy McCaul recently joined the Fox Valley Park District as the director of finance and administration. McCaul is a graduate of Valparaiso University and has her master's degree in public service management from DePaul University, She has 25 years of professional experience, with 13 years of experience in the park and recreation field. She has held positions with the Homewood-Flossmoor, Naperville and Bartlett park districts. At Fox Valley, she oversees a department of seven full-time employees, including those responsible for human resources and information technology. McCaul is a Certified Park and Recreation Professional and a member of the Illinois Government Finance Officers Association.

Laurie Hoffman recently accepted the position of director of recreation, education, marketing and communications for the Fox Valley Park District. She succeeds Paul Heinkel, who retired last year after 28 years with the district. Previously, she was the district's director of organizational development. Hoffman completed both her bachelor's and master's degrees at Aurora University. Before joining the district in 2002, she was president of Sikich HR Solutions, a human resources consulting practice in Aurora. She also spent 13 years in management at Cendant Corporation, a hospitality conglomerate in Oak Brook. In her current position, she oversees the recreation department, golf operations and the marketing department. Hoffman is a member of IPRA and NRPA. She is also the treasurer for the Greater Aurora Area Chamber of Commerce.

Hoffman and McCaul's hirings come on the heels of the district's reorganization plan that consolidated the number of departments from seven to five.

Village of Richton Park Names New Parks and Recreation Director

The Village of Richton Park recently announced the appointment of Theresa Thorns as director of parks and recreation. Thorns holds a B.S. degree in parks and recreation administration from the University Wisconsin-LaCrosse. Prior to working for Richton Park, she served as superintendent of recreation for the Oakbrook Terrace Park District and earlier was the director at Butterfield Park District in Lombard.

Thorns is a Certified Park and Recreation Professional and serves on the IPRA's Teen Committee. She has also been a workshop speaker at the IAPD/IPRA Annual Conference.

She and her family live in Plainfield, where she serves on her homeowners' board and also on the Plainfield Park District Referendum Committee.

Naperville Welcomes New Director of Parks

Edward Dalton has joined the leadership team of the Naperville Park District as the director of parks. Dalton comes to Naperville from the Elk Grove Park District, where he was director of parks and planning and responsible for maintenance and improvements of all grounds, the district fleet, its facilities and the planning of capital improvements. He has also been employed as the park operations manager at the Arlington Heights Park District and was the parks manager at the Northbrook Park District. Dalton, a native of Monroe, Wisconsin, has a B.S. in forest management from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.

42 Illinois Parks and Recreation www.ILipra.org

Wood Dale Hires New Superintendent of Recreation

Michelle Silver, CPRP, was recently hired as the new superintendent of recreation for the Wood Dale Park District. In her new position, Silver oversees the recreation department, including management of the district's water park and community/fitness center. She also oversees senior programming. Prior to coming to Wood Dale, Silver worked for more than two years as a program manager for the Naperville Park District, overseeing the preschool and early childhood programs and coordinating some special events. In addition, she has worked as a program manager with the Hoffman Estates Park District and the Round Lake Area Park District.

Silver has chaired and spoken at several sessions of the IAPD/IPRA Annual Conference. She served as president and treasurer of the Suburban Park and Recreation Association and is an active member on the board. She has also served as the chairperson for various IPRA workshops and committees. She currently serves as Metro-Rep for the IPRA Recreation Section and continues to be actively involved with IPRA.

Silver has a B.S. degree in parks and recreation administration from Illinois State University. In March 2002, she received her master's degree in early childhood administration from National-Louis University.

While working for the Naperville Park District, Silver received the Muriel C. Furlong Award, presented by the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network in May 2004, for implementing a nut-free environment in her early childhood and preschool classrooms. She also received the IPRA Recreation Section Al Hattendorf Professional of the Year for 2004.

New Manager and Rec Supervisor at Downers Grove

Susan Nance is the new manager at the Downers Grove Park District Recreation and Fitness Center, where she is responsible for the planning and oversight of operations and programs. Nance was previously the membership services coordinator for Pavilion Fitness at the Elk Grove Park District. She graduated from National-Louis University in Evanston with a bachelor's degree in sport management. She is an American Council on Exercise Certified Personal Trainer.

Charlie Imig is the new recreation supervisor in charge of adult sports programs and leagues, open gyms, park permits and the annual 5- and 10-Miler. Imig comes to Downers Grove from the Winnetka Park District, where he was a recreation supervisor, overseeing aquatic operations, outdoor ice rinks and athletic programs and special events for children and adults. He was also a teams course coordinator at the Northbrook Park District. He holds a bachelor's degree in geography and a master's degree in recreation management from the University of Wisconsin—LaCrosse.

New Assistant Superintendent of Recreation Joins St. Charles

www.ILparks.org March/April 2006 43

U.S. Speaker of the House Visits Fox Valley

In December, the Fox Valley Park District hosted Speaker of the House J. Dennis Hastert's free Medicare Information Tour at Prisco Community Center in Aurora. The tour was designed to assist seniors as they weighed their options for signing up for prescription drug coverage under the federal program. Pictured from left to right: Beth Waller, manager of Prisco Community Center; Steve Messerli, executive director; Debbie Smith, recreation supervisor; the Honorable J. Dennis Hastert, speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives; and Barb Potter, manager of the Eola Community Center.

Caddy Program Tees it Up at Mt. Prospect Park District At the urging of Park Board Commissioner David Fairburn, Mt, Prospect Park District instituted caddy service in 2005 and will continue it this season. "We believe we are the only park district in Illinois to be offering caddy service, and we are happy to provide this lost amenity at our course," says park district CEO Walter Cook. The park caddies undergo training prior to the opening of the season and are available on weekends beginning in March. In the summer months, caddy service is available daily on a reservation basis. The public has been teeing it up at the Mt. Prospect Golf Club since the 1920s.

44 Illinois Parks and Recreation www.ILipra.org