Head of Arlington Heights Park District retires after 40 years
Steve Scholten wrapped up a 40-year career in parks and recreation this week, retiring as executive director of the Arlington Heights Park District - in a town that for Scholten represented many firsts.
It was where his parents enrolled him in kindergarten, at First Presbyterian Church, in 1959.
It was also where he sat on Santa's lap at Hagenbring's, bought his first suit at Swoboda's, and played baseball at Meyer Field.
Scholten has come full circle, retiring after eight years here as park director.
"This has certainly been a professional privilege and honor to have served Arlington Heights," Scholten said after being honored with a proclamation at the June 20 village board meeting.
He said his goal for many years was to work in a community like Arlington Heights or, ideally, in Arlington Heights itself.
Scholten oversaw renovations to Arlington Lakes Golf Course, Camelot Community Center and Frontier Park. He helped open a dog park shared with Mount Prospect and helped ink a cost-sharing agreement for synthetic turf at Hersey High School.
Mayor Tom Hayes said the park district, led by Scholten, is a major contributor to the quality of life in Arlington Heights.
"It's a very bittersweet occasion when someone who has been a leader in our community retires," Hayes said. "It's very sad that we're going to be losing a leader of Steve Scholten's caliber."
Before Arlington Heights, Scholten led the Bloomingdale Park District for 16 years, during which it was awarded the National Recreation and Park Association's Gold Medal for Park and Recreation Management Excellence. In 2003, Scholten was named Illinois Park and Recreation Association's Professional of the Year.
He was executive director of the Medinah and Glen Ellyn park districts and started his career in 1976 with the Elk Grove Park District - where he still lives.
A longtime referee, Scholten officiated the 2008 IHSA state basketball championship, and in 2012 he was inducted into the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame.
The Arlington Heights Park District board has hired Rick Hanetho, executive director of the Northbrook Park District, as the new director.