Northbrook Park District President is Sergeant-at-Arms of Leading Statewide Association for Parks
Mary Ann Chambers, President of the Northbrook Park District, was recently appointed sergeant-at-arms of the Illinois Association of Park Districts' (IAPD) Board of Trustees.
As sergeant-at-arms, Chambers will assist the association with its mission of advancing Illinois park districts, forest preserves, conservation, recreation, and special recreation agencies in their ability to preserve natural resources and improve the quality of life for all people in Illinois. She will work with the 19-member board in advising the association in its service, research, advocacy, public awareness, and educational programs. IAPD's membership includes 360 park, recreation, and conservation agencies and nearly 100 affiliated business partners.
"Mary Ann's dedication to community service is second to none, and she understands firsthand the positive influences of parks and recreation," said Peter Murphy, IAPD President and Chief Executive Officer. "We are fortunate to have her working to advance the mission of parks, recreation, and conservation statewide."
Chambers serves on the IAPD Program Committee and is the Exhibits Co-Chair of the IAPD/Illinois Park and Recreation Association Joint Conference Committee. She previously served on the IAPD Board of Trustees for two terms and was the 2008 IAPD Commissioner of the Year.
Chambers was elected to the Northbrook Park District's Board of Commissioners in 1999 and has served two terms as President of the Board, 5 terms as Vice President, and currently serves as President. During her board tenure, the Northbrook Park District has acquired and developed the 60-acre Techny Prairie Park & Fields community park. In addition, the district acquired and developed neighborhood parks in underserved areas of the community, Greenview Park and Floral Park, both of which were awarded OSLAD grants.
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 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.