Des Plaines names new parks assistant superintendent

The Des Plaines Park District has hired Chris Leiner as assistant superintendent of parks and planning. He has 12 years of experience as the revenue facilities maintenance and operations manager for the Park District of Oak Park.

His responsibilities include managing the full-time and seasonal park staff as well as planning and overseeing the maintenance, repair and upkeep of all park district facilities, parks, ball fields, golf courses and pools to ensure they are functioning according to district standards.

“Leiner is perfectly suited to step into this position because of his strong background coordinating the needs of different park district departments, along with his risk management experience, his expertise in systems and operations, and the training of facility maintenance staff,” said Paul Cathey, superintendent of parks and planning.

Leiner’s first priority is renovating two popular neighborhood parks: Kiwanis Park, 1700 Lincoln Ave. at Orchard Street, and Jaycee Park, 1496 Wicke Ave. at Cora Street. Removal of the existing equipment will begin in August, and both parks are set to have state-of-the-art playground equipment installed, including items that are unique in the district.

Leiner said he has lived in Des Plaines for a little more than a year. “I have been golfing at Golf Center Des Plaines for quite a while. It’s my favorite Des Plaines facility. I am also interested in reaching out to the broad base of knowledge and experience in the community, and seeing how we can use those valuable resources for the good of the district,” he said.