https://www.ilparks.org/news/default.asp Thu, 4 Jun 2026 02:32:14 GMT Mon, 4 May 2026 14:11:00 GMT Copyright © 2026 Illinois Association of Park Districts https://www.ilparks.org/news/news.asp?id=726534 https://www.ilparks.org/news/news.asp?id=726534 Woodridge Park District Celebrates the Retirement of Don Ritter
After more than three decades of dedicated service, the Woodridge Park District celebrates the retirement of Don Ritter, Superintendent of Recreation and Deputy Director, whose career has left an enduring impact on Woodridge parks, programs, and community life. ]]> Mon, 4 May 2026 15:11:00 GMT https://www.ilparks.org/news/news.asp?id=726283 https://www.ilparks.org/news/news.asp?id=726283 Downers Grove Park District names new executive director
Michael Gianatasio has been named the new executive director of the Downers Grove Park District.]]> Wed, 29 Apr 2026 14:42:00 GMT https://www.ilparks.org/news/news.asp?id=726030 https://www.ilparks.org/news/news.asp?id=726030 Meet the New Head of the Cook County Forest Preserves, Adam Bianchi
]]> Fri, 24 Apr 2026 15:05:00 GMT https://www.ilparks.org/news/news.asp?id=724742 https://www.ilparks.org/news/news.asp?id=724742 Longtime employee Matt Wehby tapped to lead Wheeling Park District
A longtime Wheeling Park District employee will be its next executive director.]]> Thu, 2 Apr 2026 17:39:00 GMT https://www.ilparks.org/news/news.asp?id=721064 https://www.ilparks.org/news/news.asp?id=721064 Wheeling Park District Executive Director announces retirement after 33 years of service
After 33 years of dedicated service to the community, Jan Buchs, executive director of the Wheeling Park District, has announced plans to retire effective May 29.]]> Thu, 26 Feb 2026 14:49:00 GMT https://www.ilparks.org/news/news.asp?id=720753 https://www.ilparks.org/news/news.asp?id=720753 Crystal Lake Park District executive director to retire after helping steer through ‘turbulent times’
The Crystal Lake Park District’s executive director will be retiring after nearly 16 years of service, leaving the decision for his replacement up to the board.]]> Mon, 23 Feb 2026 15:44:00 GMT https://www.ilparks.org/news/news.asp?id=720367 https://www.ilparks.org/news/news.asp?id=720367 Illinois Association Of Park Districts Presents Murphy With ‘Legislator Of Year’ Award
State Sen. Laura Murphy (D-28th) received a 2025 Outstanding Legislator of the Year Award from the Illinois Association of Park Districts in recognition of her leadership on legislation that supports park districts across Illinois.]]> Tue, 17 Feb 2026 16:35:00 GMT https://www.ilparks.org/news/news.asp?id=719860 https://www.ilparks.org/news/news.asp?id=719860 Park District Board President elected to IAPD Board of Trustees
Plainfield Park District Board of Commissioners President Bill Thoman was officially elected to the Illinois Association of Park Districts (IAPD) Board of Trustees at the IAPD's Annual Meeting held January 31 in Chicago.]]> Mon, 9 Feb 2026 15:33:00 GMT https://www.ilparks.org/news/news.asp?id=717343 https://www.ilparks.org/news/news.asp?id=717343 Judy Beck Grant Open For Submissions
The Glenview Park District is accepting applications for the Judy Beck Grant. The grant is available to non-profit groups or individuals with projects focusing on environmental conservation, sustainability, community engagement, or youth development.]]> Fri, 2 Jan 2026 15:43:00 GMT https://www.ilparks.org/news/news.asp?id=714019 https://www.ilparks.org/news/news.asp?id=714019 Schaumburg Park District director named PGA of America golf executive of the year
As announced earlier this year, Schaumburg Park District Executive Director Tony LaFrenere was honored Tuesday in Frisco, Texas, as the 2025 PGA of America Golf Executive of the Year.]]> Thu, 6 Nov 2025 14:52:00 GMT https://www.ilparks.org/news/news.asp?id=710672 https://www.ilparks.org/news/news.asp?id=710672 Downers Grove Park District’s director of rec to retire after 40 years serving parks
After a career spanning nearly four decades, Dave Haring is set to retire from the Downers Grove Park District on Oct. 3, concluding a legacy of leadership, mentorship and community impact in the field of parks and recreation.]]> Tue, 23 Sep 2025 14:42:00 GMT https://www.ilparks.org/news/news.asp?id=704666 https://www.ilparks.org/news/news.asp?id=704666 Northbrook Park District board welcomes new commissioners, recognizes outgoing ones
The Northbrook Park District’s board recently welcomed two new commissioners while thanking two longtime members for their service.]]> Fri, 27 Jun 2025 16:46:00 GMT https://www.ilparks.org/news/news.asp?id=703052 https://www.ilparks.org/news/news.asp?id=703052 New Lockport Township Park District Commissioner Finishes State-Wide Training
Patrick Maier, a newly-elected commissioner of the Lockport Township Park District, recently attended the Illinois Association of Park Districts’ 2025 Boot Camp, the park district shared in a release.]]> Mon, 9 Jun 2025 14:56:00 GMT https://www.ilparks.org/news/news.asp?id=703051 https://www.ilparks.org/news/news.asp?id=703051 'She'd be a good person for Urbana'
For the past four years, Rachel Lenz has worked alongside Urbana Park District Executive Director Tim Bartlett on the board of directors for Illinois Parks Association Risk Services, an agency that provides insurance for park districts.]]> Mon, 9 Jun 2025 14:52:00 GMT https://www.ilparks.org/news/news.asp?id=702424 https://www.ilparks.org/news/news.asp?id=702424 Wheeling Park District Commissioner trains at statewide seminar
Claudia Fonseca, commissioner of the Wheeling Park District, recently attended the Illinois Association of Park Districts’ 2025 Boot Camp.]]> Fri, 30 May 2025 15:22:00 GMT https://www.ilparks.org/news/news.asp?id=702422 https://www.ilparks.org/news/news.asp?id=702422 Gurnee Park District welcomes new member of park board
Liz Nelson was sworn in as the newest member of the Gurnee Park District’s Board of Commissioners at the Gurnee Park District board meeting May 20.]]> Fri, 30 May 2025 15:19:00 GMT https://www.ilparks.org/news/news.asp?id=701828 https://www.ilparks.org/news/news.asp?id=701828 Will County Forest Preserve District director retiring
Ralph Schultz, of Plainfield, has retired as executive director of the Forest Preserve District of Will County after a 32-year career there.]]> Wed, 21 May 2025 21:49:00 GMT https://www.ilparks.org/news/news.asp?id=700140 https://www.ilparks.org/news/news.asp?id=700140 Johnson reflects on 52 years as Schaumburg Park District commissioner as he steps down
Though Dave Johnson wasn’t a founder of the Schaumburg Park District, his 52 years on the district’s board of commissioners spanned an expansive period of growth and change for the community.]]> Fri, 2 May 2025 14:50:00 GMT https://www.ilparks.org/news/news.asp?id=700052 https://www.ilparks.org/news/news.asp?id=700052 Glenview Park District Announces New Deputy Executive Director
The Glenview Park District announced that Johnathan Kiwala is the park district’s new deputy executive director, in charge of administrative operations, human resources, information technology, finance and risk management. His first day was Monday, April 28.]]> Thu, 1 May 2025 15:00:00 GMT https://www.ilparks.org/news/news.asp?id=698589 https://www.ilparks.org/news/news.asp?id=698589 Northbrook Park District's Wenzel Receives Prestigious Golf Awards
Michael Wenzel, a PGA Certified Director of Golf Instruction for the Northbrook Park District, recently earned two prestigious golfing awards. ]]> Mon, 14 Apr 2025 15:04:00 GMT https://www.ilparks.org/news/news.asp?id=697106 https://www.ilparks.org/news/news.asp?id=697106 Northbrook Park District's Wenzel Receives Prestigious Golf Awards
Michael Wenzel, a PGA Certified Director of Golf Instruction for the Northbrook Park District, recently earned two prestigious golfing awards.]]> Thu, 27 Mar 2025 14:42:00 GMT https://www.ilparks.org/news/news.asp?id=695940 https://www.ilparks.org/news/news.asp?id=695940 A Life Remembered | Dodds 'really wanted the park district to be super'
Whenever longtime Champaign Mayor Dannel McCollum would bump into his old friend Newt Dodds, it seemed like they’d talk for at least an hour.]]> Thu, 13 Mar 2025 14:56:00 GMT https://www.ilparks.org/news/news.asp?id=695470 https://www.ilparks.org/news/news.asp?id=695470 Gurnee Park District announces new executive director
Gurnee Park District has announced the appointment of Michael “Mike” Szpylman as its new Executive Director, effective May 1. ]]> Thu, 6 Mar 2025 19:27:00 GMT https://www.ilparks.org/news/news.asp?id=695042 https://www.ilparks.org/news/news.asp?id=695042 Glenview Park District Vice President is Chairman-Elect of IAPD
Bill Casey, Vice President of the Glenview Park District, has been confirmed as chairman-elect of the Illinois Association of Park Districts’ (IAPD) Board of Trustees.]]> Mon, 3 Mar 2025 15:24:00 GMT https://www.ilparks.org/news/news.asp?id=694601 https://www.ilparks.org/news/news.asp?id=694601 Jim Goshorn, Gurnee Park District president, dies at 69
The Gurnee Park District mourns the loss of James “Jim” Goshorn, Gurnee Park District board president; a devoted leader, mentor, and friend who died at age 69 on Feb. 13 after a courageous battle with cancer.]]> Tue, 25 Feb 2025 14:45:00 GMT