Great Lakes region - Regional Reports

Parks & Recreation, March, 2003

Westport Pools and Midwest Pool Management have announced that NRPA Member David White has been appointed the director of business development. White was formerly director of parks and recreation for the Kirkwood, Mo., a position he held since 1985. White has been in municipal parks and recreation for more than 29 years. He has held numerous leadership positions in professional organizations, including president of the Missouri Park and Recreation Association, and has served on the NRPA Great Lakes Regional Council. He received the Fellow Award from MPRA and was named Outstanding Alumni by the Southern Illinois University-Carbondale Recreation Department. As director of business development, White will be responsible for corporate strategic planning and marketing for Westport Pools and Midwest Pool Management. Westport Pools is an aquatic design, construction and service company specializing in both commercial and residential aquatic facilities. Midwest Pool Management Inc. offers commercial aquatic management services including lifeguards. management and service.

NRPA Corporate Member Counsilman/ Hunsaker & Associates recently hired Dr. Terry Schwartz, former director of the Glen Ellyn Park District and recently a faculty member for Western Illinois University and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Schwartz is responsible for the firm's analysis tool called the Enterprise Plans Model, which is a business plan that provides essential information derived from the specific needs of a particular community.

Thanks to a generous gift from Bank of America, St. Louis' "Jewel Box," also known as the Floral Conservatory in Forest Park, underwent an 11-month, $3.5 million privately funded renovation. The 67-year-old structure now has new floral displays and a reconfigured layout, new or specially cleaned glass, modern heating and cooling systems, and lead paint and asbestos abatement. For more information, go to www.forestpark forever.org/.

The Lenexa (Kan.) Parks and Recreation Board is taking a closer look into satisfying the recreation and leisure needs of the city's maturing baby boomers. Recreation Superintendent Michael Kalovort noted in a Kansas City Star article that his goal is to blend tried and true projects with new opportunities. Trips to the Kansas Speedway and Mall of America in Bloomington, Minn., are planned. Nancy Klunder, a Lenexa Park Board member, was also quoted; she referred to the October 2002 Parks & Recreation article that provided tips on servicing the boomer generation. Aside from travel, Lenexa is providing boomers with education programs, such as wine tasting, as well as active recreational opportunities.

NRPA Member Brenda Parrish, CTRS, has been hired as a regional coordinator for the Northern Illinois Special Recreation Association in Crystal Lake, Ill. She will develop programs and promote participation in NISRA's Northwest districts and oversee contractual programs with the McHenry County Mental Health Board.

Great Lakes Service Center Waiter Johnson, CPRP Regional Director 615 Cambridge Lane Hoffman Estates, IL 60195 Phone: 847-443-7529 Fax: 847-843-3058 aqnrpa@aol.com