Buffalo Grove Park District wins first in photo contest

The Buffalo Grove Park District received first place in the Recreation/People at Play category of the Give Us Your Best Shot photo contest, held by the Illinois Association of Park Districts.

The contest is open to all IAPD member park and recreation agencies in the state of Illinois, and approximately 350 photo entries were received in four designated categories.

Park district public relations and marketing manager Mike Terson submitted the winning photo, "Take a Deep Breath" - an action shot from a Hurricanes Swim Team swim meet at Willow Stream Pool. All of the winners in the four categories will be featured in the March/April issue of Illinois Parks and Recreation magazine.

"Mike does a great job of showcasing the people in our community with the pictures he takes that we use in our catalogs, website and social media," said Buffalo Grove Park District Executive Director Ryan Risinger.

Terson said, "It's always a thrill when our district is recognized at the state level, and it's an honor to be included in the company of some very talented people who work here in Buffalo Grove. I have jokingly said in the past that I am not a photographer, but I get to play one at the park district.

"I have the best job in the world; I get to promote excellent programs and events to a truly wonderful community. It really doesn't get any better than that," Terson said.

This is not the first time the Buffalo Grove Park District has been recognized by the IAPD for pictures taken by Terson. In 2008, 2012 and 2013, Terson's pictures placed second in the IAPD's Give Us Your Best Shot photo contest, all in the same category of Recreation/People at Play.

This is the first time the agency has taken first place in the annual competition.