Hoffman Estates Park District Commissioners Receive Statewide Recognition for Board Service

Keith Evans and Robert Kaplan, Commissioners of the Hoffman Estates Park District, recently received awards for their participation in the Illinois Association of Park Districts' (IAPD) Board Member Development Program.

Kaplan received a Master Board Member Award during IAPD's annual business meeting at the Hyatt Regency - Chicago for reaching the highest level in the program. Evans was recognized locally with a Distinctive Board Member award for reaching the middle level of the program. The IAPD Board Member Development Program recognizes committee involvement, pursuit of board member educational opportunities, legislative advocacy and achievements at the local, state and national levels in the field of parks, recreation and conservation.

"Participants in IAPD's Board Member Development program strive to go above and beyond the call of duty as park commissioners," said Peter Murphy, IAPD's President and Chief Executive Officer. "They are very involved at the local level and are outstanding proponents of enhancing the quality of life in Illinois through the services of park districts, forest preserves, conservation, recreation and special recreation agencies."

The Hoffman Estates Park District is one of more than 350-member agencies of IAPD.

IAPD was established in 1928 and is the oldest state association for parks, recreation and conservation in America. The association serves more than 2,100 elected park, recreation and forest preserve district board members who govern more than 350 agencies employing 40,000 individuals.

IAPD strives to improve Illinois' quality of life through park districts, forest preserves, conservation and recreation agencies by establishing grants and other new revenue streams for park land, facilities and services; educating the public about the positive effects parks and recreation have on communities; and meeting the problem of decreasing open space in Illinois.