Naperville Park District loses high-ranking administrator
Naperville Park District is losing one of its top administrators.
Parks Director Ed Dalton is leaving this week after roughly three years in the district to take a job with Northbrook Park District closer to his home.
Executive Director Ray McGury said he has meshed well with Dalton since taking the district's helm in September.
"He has done a great job of bringing me up to speed on parks," McGury said. "He's a direct reason for why the parks are the way they are, which is outstanding."
McGury said Dalton wants to be closer to his family, including his daughters, who are active in athletics.
"It's tough for him to balance that aspect which is the job and his family and I've always said family comes first," McGury said. "I told him, 'If I could talk you out of it I would, but if it's more a family decision you need to grab this opportunity.'"
Northbrook Park District Executive Director Rick Hanetho said Dalton will serve as director of parks and properties in his new job, overseeing maintenance for parks and the district's physical plant. His work will involve everything from maintaining athletic fields and trail systems to taking care of heating and air conditioning needs.
The Northbrook district serves roughly 34,000 people and owns about 500 acres.
Hanetho said district leaders were impressed with Dalton's nearly two decades of experience, including stints with the Elk Grove Village Park District and three years at one point in Northbrook.
He said the district's search team also liked Dalton's ability to build relationships both within the organization and with the community.
"He has strong relationship-building skills in addition to his technical knowledge," Hanetho said. "He can help us build a park system that the community can be proud of."
Dalton could not be reached for comment Monday.
His last day in Naperville is Friday, Nov. 14. McGury said he likely will name an interim director of parks next week, then begin the search for a permanent replacement.