News

After months of work and a successful final evaluation by a joint committee of the state’s two park and recreation professional associations, the Skokie Park District was recently named a 2009 recipient of the prestigious Distinguished Agency Award.

The certification will be officially presented by the Illinois Association of Park Districts and Illinois Park & Recreation Association “in recognition of outstanding dedication to the highest standards of the recreation profession, and a deep commitment to the community it serves” at the Annual IAPD/IPRA Conference in Chicago, on January 30.

“Our staff put forth an enormous effort organizing the district for this review,” said the Skokie Park District’s executive director Mark Schneiderman. “They can all be proud that they have contributed to meeting our vision and mission — that of continuing to raise the quality of life for the residents of Skokie.”

Of the more than 400 park districts in Illinois, only 39 have achieved “distinguished agency” status since the program began in 1993. The district has been named for a third time, its current re-certification running from 2009-2014.

The distinguished agency certification process involves an extensive and detailed review of six critical categories - general management, finance and management, facilities and parks, personnel, recreation services, and legal. The joint IAPD/IPRA committee reviewed the district’s overall and departmental organizational structures, administrative and operational procedures, policy manuals, training and employee relations guidelines, programs, fees, accommodations for special needs participants, and communication of legal information.