Arlington Heights Park district names new director

Fifty years ago when Stephen Scholten was growing up in Elk Grove, the village didn't have any real parks.

So he trucked over to Recreation Park in Arlington Heights to play Legion baseball.

On May 19, Scholten will return to the Arlington Heights Park District -- this time as the organization's executive director.

Scholten beat out 21 other applicants and recently accepted the position. The Elk Grove Village resident will replace Roger Key, who will retire at the end of June.

"Steve has 32 years of experience in the park and recreation field," said Key. "We'll be working together for four to six weeks to work out a smooth transition."

Since 1992, Scholten has been the executive director of the Bloomingdale Park District. Before that, he worked at park districts in Elk Grove, Glen Ellyn and Medinah, Key said.

Scholten has a bachelor of science in parks and recreation administration from Illinois State University and a master of business administration from Keller Graduate School of Management.

Steve and his wife, Peggy, have been married for 30 years and have four grown children. Peggy Scholten is a physical education teacher at Conant High School and coaches the boys and girls volleyball teams.

"I'm very excited," Scholten said. "The Arlington Heights Park District is known on a state and even national level."

Long-range planning will be one of Scholten's first goals, he said.