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Dear Frankfort Square Park District Residents:
Another year concluded with new improvements added throughout our community, highlighted by the new Brookside Bayou and Community Gardens Park. This park is the last in a series of grant award projects, and due to the decrease in funding of available grants and increased competition, grant dollars have all but disappeared.
In an effort to provide community improvements with limited revenue, the park district cooperated with Wildcats Football to install practice field lighting at Champions Park. Cooperative efforts with Summit Hill School District resulted in infield renovation to Summit Hill Junior High. The park district also worked cooperatively with Lincoln-Way High School District 210, adding solar lighting and walking/bike paths to improve athletic field access at the North campus.
The park district was able to fund playground equipment installation at the LaPorte Meadows subdivision that is now available for use. Additional site work will be completed in the spring.
In past years, park district accounts were burgeoning with developer impact fees and grant funding. Now the park district's budget is reflective of our community. Although we are holding our own, priorities of affordable programming and maintenance are the primary focuses, representing the new reality.
Planning has always been the driving force of action for our district. The FSPD has completed planning by conducting surveys, stakeholder interviews, and independent analysis of performance to create master plans that project and accomplish controlled expansion of service and facilities. These master plans are based almost exclusively on resident input.
It is imperative that the park district plan for the future and with the projected economy in coming years, this planning has increased importance. The belief of Commissioners has always been that an evaluation of service must be completed by an independent third party to ensure impartial results. Therefore, the park district secured the services of Dennis Ulrey, President of Management & Planning Solutions, LLC to complete a master plan. With his 30+ years of experience in all areas of recreation, Dr. Ulrey is the ideal individual to professionally complete this project.
In past years, this process could be seen as a precursor to a referendum or other method of tax or fee increase. The Park Board wants this process to be transparent in its intent, and emphasizes that it will only serve to provide direction using available funding. There is no intention to impose any tax or fee increases, and all Board Members are in agreement that the park district is many years away from any such consideration.
The park district has received tremendous community-wide support, and I believe this is a direct result of our ability to communicate direction to residents we serve. The process will be ongoing over the coming months. If you are personally contacted by Dr. Ulrey, I encourage you to provide your thoughts and concerns to enable the most useful direction.
I am pleased to announce the promotion of Audrey Marcquenski to the new position of Director of Recreation and Administration. Audrey has the ability to identify changing trends in recreation and the needs of residents in order to provide the creative program opportunities we have all come to expect from our park district. During Audrey's thirteen year tenure, she has overseen tremendous growth in our community, and has responded by providing recreation programming, resulting in over 1,000 programs, classes, and special events offered annually, attended by 125,350+ participants.
In her new position, Audrey is recognized for her willingness to tackle complex strategies, ensuring our district continues to move forward. Audrey's lists of accomplishments are limitless, but she was instrumental in developing recreation that resulted in FSPD recognition as a Gold Medal Award finalist and national award winner.
Audrey's infectious laugh, friendly smile, and positive attitude are reflective of the heart and personality of the Frankfort Square Park District. In addition, her leadership and ability to work cooperatively not only with park district staff, but also with local agencies is exemplified in her service as seated Board Member and Treasurer of the South Suburban Special Recreation Association Board, and involvement in local and national professional organizations.
Commissioners are exceptionally committed, donating their time and talents in the interest of creating a better community. Park district personnel enjoy their jobs, and that is displayed on a daily basis in our parks and programs. Residents have always been supportive of park staff, facilities, and programs. Working together, our Park Board, staff, and residents have been our formula for success.
On behalf of all at the Frankfort Square Park District, I extend best wishes for a Happy New Year.
Sincerely,
Jim Randall
Executive Director
Frankfort Square Park District
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