Gurnee's Hampson wins state park community service award

Mike Hampson has won the Illinois Park and Recreation Association's 2016 Community Service Award for the integral role he plays at the Gurnee Park District and the village of Gurnee.

"Mike Hampson embodies the ideal candidate to receive the Community Service Award as his dedication and involvement with Gurnee Park District and the Village of Gurnee extends well over 30 years," said Beckie Korzyniewski, Viking Park Facility Manager for Gurnee Park District.

Hampson began supporting the park district in the early 1990s when he was a volunteer coach and board member with Gurnee Boys Baseball. During this time, he became a leader and a liaison between the two parties.

Hampson was instrumental in securing the cooperative agreement between the park district and Gurnee Boys Baseball for field usage. This agreement was one of the first of its kind and created a model for future years in which cooperative agreements increased exponentially for the park district.

In 1990, Hampson received the Gurnee Park District Volunteer of the Year Award as he was actively involved in the Friends of Gurnee Park District committee and served as the treasurer. At this time, the district was faced with the possibility of being dissolved. Hampson was an unwavering supporter of the park district. The referendum was successfully defeated, a major accomplishment for Gurnee Park District and Hampson as well.

This success allowed the park district to create a plan for the future and the Citizens Advisory Committee was born. Hampson served as a member in 1993, and from 1995 to 2001, he was appointed to the Gurnee Park District Board.

During his time on the board and every year thereafter, Hampson graciously volunteered at the district's annual Breakfast with Santa. The event requires volunteers to flip flapjacks and help serve breakfast to the attendees.

"Personally, I had the pleasure to work with Mike at this event and many others for more than seven years. I remember those early mornings fondly. Whenever Mike arrived, I knew it was all going to get done," Korzyniewski said.

Each year, the Illinois Association of Park Districts and Illinois Park and Recreation Association allow member agencies, like Gurnee Park District, to submit the name of employees, volunteers, elected officials and civic leaders who go above and beyond assisting park districts. This year, the Gurnee park board and staff nominated Mike Hampson for his outstanding efforts to help foster the district's mission of quality parks and programs in Gurnee.

"It was my honor to nominate Mike Hampson for the IPRA Community Service Award," Korzyniewski said.

For more information about Gurnee Park District and volunteer opportunities, visit www.GurneeParkDistrict.com.

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