Melissa Hulting: 2021 candidate for Park Ridge Park Commissioner

Five candidates for four 4-year terms

Bio

Hometown: Park Ridge

Age: 46

Occupation: Environmental Scientist.

Employer: Manager of a group focusing on air quality, energy efficiency, and sustainability at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 office in Chicago

Civic involvement: I've served on three commissions/task forces for the City of Park Ridge: the Community Health Commission, the Bike Task Force, and the Sustainability Task Force (co-chair). I was one of the primary advocates to City Council for creation of both task forces. Impacts of my service to the city include completion of the city's bike and sustainability plans, the addition of bike parking and infrastructure in town, and streamlining of the city's processes for solar permitting. I also served on the Park District's Oakton Park Citizen Task Force, which was created to provide input on improvement options for the ice arena and park prior to a potential referendum.

Q&A

Q. Why are you running for this office? Is there a particular issue that motivates you, and if so, what is it?

A. Parks and playing outdoors were an important part of my childhood in the Peoria area, and I'm passionate about the benefits of the outdoors and recreation on our physical and mental health. Our parks and facilities were popular pre-pandemic, and the outdoor amenities have served as an important outlet during the pandemic. After this period of relative isolation, I think the park district can play an important part in bringing us all together again as things return to normal - in classes and organized activities, in sports leagues, and in simply gathering with friends and family at a park. My goal is to help the district continue to rebuild responsibly and successfully post-pandemic, through responsible fiscal management, well-maintained facilities, and compelling offerings. In addition, I would like to leverage my professional expertise to support the district's commitment to sustainability.

Q. Did your park district continue to adequately serve its constituents during the disruptions caused by the pandemic? If so, please cite an example of how it successfully adjusted to continue providing services. If not, please cite a specific example of what could have been done better.

A. I think the park district has done an excellent job of being creative and adaptable during the pandemic by offering a mix of opportunities involving limited indoor capacity, virtual offerings, and outdoor activities. District staff have been able to react and communicate with residents in a timely manner using email and social media as COVID guidelines and conditions have changed. Examples of adjustments include offering reserved time slots at Hinkley Pool and the Prospect Splash pad over the summer, fitness classes virtually and in person with limited capacity, and Camp Ridge for supervised e-learning.

Q. In light of our experiences with COVID-19, what safeguards/guidelines should you put in place to address any future public health crises.

A. This is a very broad question and is best answered by public health experts rather than park districts and park commissioners. Generally I think the pandemic has taught us the value of simple practices that can reduce the spread of disease, including distancing, mask-wearing, and making hand washing and hand sanitizer stations more available in public spaces. It has also helped to emphasize the importance of adequate ventilation and improving indoor air quality to protect the health and well-being of building occupants; this is one of the topics I work on professionally at the EPA. The experience of this pandemic will serve us well in the future, including as it relates to park district operations, whether it's for another global pandemic or a normal flu season.

Q. How has the pandemic affected the park district's offerings and use of facilities. Are there other ways the park board can fulfill the mission of a park district during these times?

A. Due to physical distancing requirements and COVID mitigations, the operations of park facilities and district affiliates has been significantly limited, particularly for indoor activities. As we have learned more about the transmission of the virus (i.e., from surfaces) and when COVID-related metrics have declined, with protective practices like mask-wearing and capacity limits some facilities and programs have been able to open back up. During this time, park board commissioners can help support the district's mission by keeping a close eye on the budget, recognize the limitations posed by state health guidelines, and help get the word out about the activities the district CAN offer to increase participation. With spring approaching, there will be more opportunities to use outdoor programs and amenities. We will want to make sure we are listening to the needs of the community so we can offer the programs and events they want and get more people back into facilities when it is safe to do so. This will help drive revenue back up and rebuild the vibrant, social in-person community that we've all missed so much.

Q. How has the pandemic affected the park district's revenue? How has that been addressed on the expense side?

A. Programming revenue is down by about half - a huge hit to the budget. Creativity and adaptability by park district staff has helped to maintain some offerings with distancing, masking, and/or being outdoors, and quite a bit of programming is being offered virtually. This has helped to mitigate some of the financial damage. The reduction in revenue has been addressed through significant staff reductions, trimming operational costs, and deferring some capital projects.

Q. What other issues need to be addressed?

A. Other factors that will be important in future decision-making are improving walkable access to open space and parks for all residents and prioritizing capital improvements among our parks with limited funding.