Arlington Heights Park District Employee Awarded for Professionalism at IAPD/IPRA Conference
On January 28, 2021, the Illinois Park & Recreation Association (IPRA) honored Lindsey Robertson, Aquatic Manager at the Arlington Heights Park District, for her commitment and excellent service to parks and recreation in Illinois. Ms. Robertson was recognized during the IPRA Awards Program at the IAPD/IPRA Soaring to New Heights Virtual Conference.
IPRA Young Professional Award: Lindsey Robertson from the Arlington Heights Park District
The Young Professional of the Year Award recognizes an up-and-coming leader in the field of parks and recreation and is given to an individual with less than eight years of experience, but someone who shows a great deal of promise in becoming a future leader in the field.
The Arlington Heights Park District's Aquatic Manager Lindsey Robertson started her full-time career in 2013 as the recreation supervisor for Arlington Heights' Recreation Park. That may been have when her career started, but her love for parks and recreation began as a pool rat at the Rolling Meadows Park District where she spent days at the pool enjoying swim lessons, practicing with swim teams, and spending time with friends.
In 2014, Lindsey was promoted to aquatic program supervisor, taking on a district program area consisting of 9 swim teams, water exercise, birthday parties, and aquatic rentals. In 2018, she absorbed lifeguard training, swim lessons, and supervision of a full-time supervisor. With five outdoor and one indoor pool, nearly 300 lifeguards, and another 100-part time staff, Lindsey quickly cultivated a strong aquatics community for staff and residents.
In January 2020, the newly constructed Arlington Ridge Center opened to the public and saw over 10,000 memberships and 59,000 visits in the first two months. The COVID-19 pandemic presented some unique challenges, but Lindsey swiftly collaborated with colleagues and carefully devised a plan that allowed not just 1, but 4 pools to open safely for the Arlington community. Lindsey's vision, preparation, and hard work generated over 35,000 pool reservations, 940 registrations for an 8-week safe swim team program, and $170,000 in revenue - all in a pandemic. Lindsey also volunteers with IPRA as the current Chair of IPRA's ProConnect, and former Board member of IPRA's Facility Management Section. She's active on the Aquatics Committee and also helps with the annual Lifeguard Games event.
"Despite being early in her career, Lindsey is a well-known professional in the park and recreation community. She has been involved with IPRA and during COVID, her leadership at her agency allowed for a robust and safe aquatic program for her community at a time that many communities had to close their pools. She an innovative professional who will go far in her career. We are so proud to honor her with this award." - Debbie Trueblood, CAE, IPRA Executive Director
A complete list of Award winners is available on the IPRA website, ILipra.org.
The IAPD/IPRA Soaring to New Heights Conference is the premier state conference for parks and recreation, forest preserves and conservation agencies in Illinois. In 2021, the IAPD/IPRA Soaring to New Heights Conference went virtual - bringing together park and recreation professionals and elected officials for three exciting days of quality educational programming, networking, and professional development.
Established in 1944, the Illinois Park and Recreation Association's mission is to provide and promote exceptional standards of education, networking, and resources for all professionals in the Illinois park, recreation, and conservation communities. For more information about IPRA, its board and mission, please visit the IPRA website: www.ILipra.org