Palatine Park District enjoys successful weekend conference

Posted February 11, 2013 11:01 am

Submitted by Palatine Park District

Palatine Park District superintendent of Recreation Keith Williams was awarded first place in the Sports category of the Hit Us With Your Best Shot photo contest for this photo titled Mixed Emotions. Courtesy of Keith Williams

Staff members from the Palatine Park District were presented with several awards at the annual Soaring to New Heights Conference presented by the Illinois Association of Park Districts (IAPD) and the Illinois Park and Recreation Association (IPRA). The conference was held Jan. 24-26 in Chicago.

Palatine Park District Executive Director Mike Clark was presented with the IPRA Chairman’s Award for his service in 2012, as the board president of the IPRA Foundation. Clark’s dedication to revitalizing the foundation’s vision and fundraising efforts was recognized by 2012 IPRA Chairman John Curran of the Tinley Park Park District.

The IPRA Foundation exists to provide educational programming and research that will benefit the Illinois Park and Recreation Association and its members. Clark will continue in his role as president of the Foundation Board in 2013, encouraging more experienced professionals in the industry to “pay it forward,” affording the newer generation of parks and recreation staff members with additional educational opportunities and resources.

The Public Information Department participated in this year’s Agency Showcase competition. The Agency Showcase Competition is the premier communications and marketing competition for park and recreation agencies. Agencies from across the state are invited to nominate their best communication and marketing materials for judging and display at the Soaring to New Heights Conference. This year, Palatine Park District was awarded First Place in the Public Relations category. The department consists of Public Information Manager Deb Owen, Marketing and Sponsorship Coordinator Joan Scovic and Public Information Assistant Linda Freitag.

Illinois Parks and Recreation magazine is a publication jointly produced by IAPD and IPRA. Annually, the editorial staff invites park district members to enter their “Hit Us With Your Best Shot” photo contest. The contest encompasses four categories: Recreation/People at Play, Sports, Wildlife and Nature/Landscapes.

This year, Palatine Park District Superintendent of Recreation Keith Williams was awarded first place in the Sports category for his photo titled “Mixed Emotions,” taken during Palatine Youth Baseball/Softball’s Baseball Day. Williams’ photograph was on display this year at the conference, and will be published in an upcoming edition of IP&R magazine.

Palatine Park District is grateful for the acknowledgment received at this year’s IAPD/IPRA Soaring to New Heights Conference.

The mission of Palatine Park District is to provide a variety of safe, enjoyable and affordable parks and recreation facilities and activities that will enhance the quality of life by promoting good health and well-being for all residents and visitors of the Palatine Park District.

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Mike Clark, executive director of the Palatine Park District, with Debbie Trueblood, executive director of IPRA at the annual Soaring to New Heights Conference presented by the Illinois Association of Park Districts and the Illinois Park and Recreation Association. Courtesy of Neringa Ridges

Pictured, from left, at the Soaring to New Heights Conference in Chicago are: Jan Hincapie, 2013 IPRA chairman-elect; Allison Niemela, 2013 IPRA chairman; John Curran, 2013 IPRA past-chairman; Debbie Trueblood, executive director IPRA; and Mike Clark, executive director Palatine Park District. Courtesy of Neringa Ridges

IPRA Agency Showcase co-chairman Jill Hastings, Palatine Park District Marketing and Sponsorship coordinator Joan Scovic and IPRA Agency Showcase co-chairman Laura Finch at the annual Soaring to New Heights Conference held Jan. 24-26, in Chicago. Courtesy of Neringa Ridges

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