Palatine Park District photographer wins statewide competition

The Illinois Association of Park Districts and the Illinois Park and Recreation Association conduct an annual photography contest titled "Give Us Your Best Shot."

Parks and Recreation professionals from across the state of Illinois are invited to submit photographs in four categories: Recreation/People at Play, Sports, Wildlife, and Nature/Landscape.

The 2017 contest winners were revealed during the annual Illinois Association of Park Districts/ Illinois Park and Recreation Association's Soaring to New Heights Conference Awards Luncheon held at the Hilton Chicago Jan. 19.

A photograph titled "The Monarch Way," submitted by Michael Noens, Palatine Park District's Digital Marketing coordinator, was awarded first place in the Wildlife category. The photo was taken in the newly planted Monarch Waystation in front of Palatine Park District's Community Center.

The new garden was designed in Spring, 2017, by Corey Zak, horticulture manager, to attract pollinators such as Monarch butterflies. Noens captured a stunning photo of a Monarch atop a Mexican Sunflower, tithonia Rotundafolia.

Palatine Park District Executive Director Mike Clark said, "We are thrilled for Mike and the park district to be recognized for the time, talents, and creativity in our efforts to promote all aspects of parks and recreation on the local level. It is even more gratifying to be recognized by your professional colleagues and peers."

The photographs submitted to the contest were judged on the basis of exposure, clarity/focus, and subject matter relative to the category. As a first-place finisher, Noens will receive a framed copy of the winning photo and his entry will be published in Illinois Parks and Recreation magazine.

The mission of Palatine Park District is to provide a variety of safe, enjoyable and affordable parks, programs and recreational facilities that will enhance the quality of life by promoting good health and well-being for all residents and visitors while being fiscally responsible stewards of community assets and tax dollars.

The Illinois Association of Park Districts is a nonprofit service, research and education organization that serves park districts, forest preserves, conservation, municipal park and recreation, and special recreation agencies.

The association advances these agencies, their citizen board members and professional staff in their ability to provide outstanding park and recreation opportunities, preserve natural resources and improve the quality of life for all people in Illinois.

The mission of Illinois Park and Recreation Association is to provide and promote exceptional standards of education, networking, and resources for all professionals in the Illinois park, recreation, and conservation communities.

The Illinois Park and Recreation Association leads the nation in providing premier education, networking, and resources for professionals in parks, recreation, and conservation.

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