Northbrook Park District President Elected Trustee of Statewide Association

Mary Ann Chambers, president of the Northbrook Park District board of commissioners, was recently elected to the Illinois Association of Park Districts' Board of Trustees.

As a Trustee, 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 to advise the association in providing service, research, advocacy, public awareness, and educational programs to its membership of more than 360 park, recreation, and conservation agencies and nearly 100 affiliated business partners.

"Mary Ann is an energetic leader with an unparalleled dedication to enhancing quality of life through the services of park districts, forest preserves, conservation, recreation, and special recreation agencies," said Peter Murphy, IAPD president and chief executive officer. "I know that with her guidance and expertise, Illinois parks, recreation, and conservation will thrive and continue to rank among the nation's best."

Chambers currently serves on the IAPD Program Committee and the IAPD/Illinois Park and Recreation Association (IPRA) Joint Conference Committee. She was appointed to Sergeant-At-Arms on the IAPD Board of Trustees in 2021. Chambers previously served two terms on the IAPD Board of Trustees in 2008 and 2010 and chaired the IAPD Program Committee and the IAPD/IPRA Joint Conference Committee.

She was elected to the Northbrook Park District board in 1999 and has served two terms as president and five terms as vice president. During her time on the board, the Northbrook Park District has acquired and developed the 60-acre Techny Prairie Park & Fields Community Park, Greenview Park, and Floral Park. While president of the park district board, construction of the Techny Prairie Activity Center and renovation of Sportsman's Country Club into Heritage Oaks Golf Club were completed.

In 2008, Chambers received the IAPD Commissioner of the Year Award.

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 360 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.