News

Itasca Park District wins top national honor

Posted October 25, 2009 11:00 pm

By Elisabeth Mistretta

Itasca Park District Executive Director Maryfran Leno

They say it's like winning an Oscar.

Just getting nominated takes years of work, there is stiff competition and - for those who do win - there is no higher honor.

So that is why Maryfran Leno, executive director of the Itasca Park District, and her colleagues couldn't contain their excitement when the park district won the Gold Medal Award from the National Recreation and Park Association this month at a ceremony in Salt Lake City, Utah.

The award honors park districts throughout the United States that demonstrate excellence in long-range planning, resource management and recognition.

"I don't even know if words can explain how I feel" Leno said. "We were sitting in the front row and they announced the winners in front of about 6,000 people. And when they opened up the envelope and said 'Itasca,' I think we jumped at least five feet out of our seats and screamed."

The awards are based on five population categories, and Itasca won over three other finalists with a population of less than 25,000 people: the Batavia Park District, Vernon Hills Park District and the City of Golden Colorado Parks and Recreation Department.

This is the second time Itasca won the award, which it earned first in 2003. And this was the first year the district was eligible to compete again.

To thank local residents, the park district will host a celebration on Nov. 14 that will include an award presentations, games, DJ music, goody bags and snacks.

"It really was the park district and all of our different partners, including the residents of this town, that earned this gold medal," Leno said. "I think people believe the award is just based on our facilities and management, but it's really about other important facets like our intergovernmental agreements and how the community has supported us, like when they passed the 2006 referendum for the pool."

Just to become a finalist, the park district had to undergo a rigorous application that included details on its accomplishments, financial stability and challenges it has overcome as well as facts and figures that tell what makes up the park district. Once Itasca was named a finalist, the park district had to create a 12-minute video that again highlighted its strong points, provided a capital budget and a five-year plan.

Leno said that while she is proud Itasca won, she doesn't want the park district to rest on its laurels.

"We won it this time, so now we must figure out what are we going to do over the next five years so we can go back up there and win again," she said. "Park districts always have to be changing and keep up with the times and that's how you remain a good district. Families are changing and so the are needs of the communities. Our job is to meet that."

Five years of accomplishments

Itasca Park District won a Gold Medal Award in 2003. Here's a look at some of the district's accomplishments, leading to its most recent honor:

2004: Built skate park

2006: Voters approved tax increase to fund a $3.75 million renovation of the Itasca Waterpark, completed in 2007

2007: Opened Franzen "Play for All" Community Park replacement, made possible in part by an Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development grant as well as a community fundraiser

2007: Won National Recreation and Parks Association Excellence in Aquatics Award

2009: Itasca designated as the first Safe Community in Illinois and fifth in the nation by the National Safety Council

The Itasca Park District won a Gold Medal Award from the National Recreation and Parks Association. The district also won the prestigious honor in 2003. Scott Sanders | Staff Photographer

Ryan Camblin reacts to getting the ball past the goalie in practice. Residents' participation and enthusiasm contribute to Itasca Park District's success, officials say. Scott Sanders | Staff Photographer

Itasca Park District strives to evolve to meet the changing needs of families in the community, leaders say. In the pee wee soccer program, Mia Savage, right, tries to shoot the ball past her older sister, Emma, left, during practice. Scott Sanders | Staff Photographer

Itasca Park District's programs, such as pee wee soccer, contributed to the district winning a Gold Medal Award. Ryan Camblin shoots the ball at goalie Emma Savage while coaches Elizabeth Luszczyk and Brian Savage watch. Scott Sanders | Staff Photographer

If you go What: Itasca Park District Gold Medal Community Celebration When: Noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14 Where: Itasca Recreation Center, 350 E. Irving Park Road Cost: Free Info: (630) 773-2257 Itasca Park District Founded: July 25, 1964 Population served: 9,500 residents Gold Medal Awards: 2009 and 2003 Budget for 2009-10: $4,816,660 Equalized assessed valuation for 2008: $607,487,673 Owns: 50.85 acres Leases: 78.5 acres Staff: 14 full-time and 205 part-time employees Facilities: Itasca Recreation and Fitness Center; Itasca Waterpark; Itasca Softball Complex; 9.7 miles of walking paths and trails; eight baseball fields; seven soccer fields; seven playgrounds; four picnic areas; four tennis courts; five basketball and multiuse courts; two community garden plots; skate park; nature center; depot museum

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