Great Lakes region - Regional Reports

Parks & Recreation, Feb, 2003

What a good friend! Arthur Nielsen delivered his irrevocable pledge to the Winnetka (Ill.) Park District in 1961 to donate the entire cost of the design, engineering, financing and construction of an indoor tennis court building in an amount not to exceed $360,000. A year later, the A.C. Nielsen Tennis Center was officially dedicated with an exhibition match played between Nielsen and his son and grandsons. In 1963, Nielsen provided the funding for an additional two indoor tennis courts; in 1972, the Nielsen family agreed to contribute funds for the construction of four more courts. Nielsen stated that the motive for this gift was the "appreciation of the privilege of living in beautiful Winnetka for 40 years." Recently the Winnetka Park District recognized the wonderful efforts of the Nielsen family and their love of tennis as a lifetime sport.

The Illinois Association of Park Districts will celebrate 75 years of serving park districts, forest preserve districts, conservation and recreation agencies in Illinois in 2003. The year-long celebration, "Celebrating the Power of Citizen Advocacy," will feature many special events throughout the state of Illinois. For more information, go to www. ilparks.org.

The Heritage YMCA Group has installed a Poseidon, the computer-aided drowning-detection systems, in its 95th Street Family Center in Naperville, Ill. NRPA Corporate Member Poseidon serves as a lifeguard's "third eye" to help prevent drowning tragedies in public, lifeguarded swimming pools. The 95th Street Family Center is the first recreational facility in Illinois to install the system.

The Cincinnati Park Board recently announced the reappointment of Marian Lindberg to the Board of Park Commissioners for a six-year term. The Cincinnati Park Board maintains and operates Cincinnati's parklands. With her reappointment, Lindberg will continue her efforts as board president to remain focused on the board's mission.

Learn about new challenges and changing opportunities at the 2003 Spring Conference of the Iowa Park and Recreation Association, to be held April 6-9 in Davenport. Not only does the program include off-site park and recreation institutes and educational sessions, there will also be special aquatic centers tours and aquatic CEU workshops. Visit the largest exhibit hall in IPRA history. For more information, contact cshutts@pcparnter.net or go to www.iowaparksandrecreation. org.

NRPA Member Elaine Dillahunt was recently named "Best Manager in a Community Center" by Aquatics International magazine. Dillahunt, the aquatics manager for Indy Parks and Recreation in Indianapolis, has expanded programs and focused on safety during her tenure at the district. This year, nearly 2,000 citizens took part in the summer's Learn to Swim program, and the swim team has grown to a year-long program with more than 600 youth.

"Public markets can really bring life to a town or city," says Project for Public Spaces President Fred Kent. "The Great Public Market Awards provide the platform to show this to the world." Recently, Project for Public Spaces awarded the City Market in Kansas City, Mo., the Award of Distinction because this major public market has added significantly to the social, economic and environmental health and well-being of its city.

NRPA Associate Member Cynthia Dieck, CPCU, ARM, AIM, was recently selected as a spokesperson for the 2002 class of Chartered Property Casualty Underwriters. Dieck is the Loss Control Department Manager for American Risk Pooling Consultants in Southfield, Mich. Prior to her work there, she served as loss-control representative for public entities throughout Michigan.

"Our culture is losing its connection to the natural world," says NRPA Member Brent Manning. "The heed to educate young people about the natural resources of this land, while always important, is growing in significance every day." Manning, who serves as director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, was recently elected president of the International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies.

The Elmhurst Park District recently promoted NRPA Member dames Rogers to director of park and recreation services. This streamlined new position will help the district more effectively develop a broad and diversified program of recreation activities and services for the preschool through senior population.