Plainfield Park District

Annie Gill, who is the barn coordinator at Normantown Equestrian Center, was recently honored as the Park District's HEART Champion for February. HEART stands for Help, Empathize, Acknowledge, Respect and Thank. Annie was nominated for staying late to get the horses warm water in the freezing cold. Annie is relatively new to the Park District, having worked at NTEC for only 8 months. Her favorite part of the job thus far is learning all of the horses' different personalities and teaching participants about each unique horse. Her favorite memory is seeing the new kittens, Pepper and Carrot, explore the barn and horses. Congratulations Annie!

We’re excited to share one final highlight from the Annual Illinois Association of Park Districts/Illinois Park & Recreation Association Soaring to New Heights Conference held last weekend in Chicago. The Plainfield Park District marketing team stood out in the conference's Agency Showcase competition, which highlights the exceptional communications and marketing efforts of park, recreation, and conservation agencies across Illinois. The District earned impressive honors with first-, second-, and third-place finishes. With 66 agencies submitting a record 272 entries, this year’s event was the most competitive yet. The team’s efforts earned top recognition, securing first place for its Tabletop Display, second place for its Social Media Campaign, and third place for Written Content. The award-winning Tabletop Display showcased the District’s “Welcoming Everyone” (WE) platform and core values while featuring entries across eight different categories. Judges evaluated the display based on creativity, design, organization, messaging, “It” factor, and overall cohesiveness. The Social Media Campaign charmed audiences with Scout the Fox, a playful and creative mascot, who showcased the District’s classes, programs, parks, and facilities throughout December. The Written Content entry further reinforced the WE platform’s objectives, featuring flyers and posters that outlined its mission while also promoting the free, seasonal WE events. View all of the District's honors at https://lnkd.in/g99p3DNz.

Great news! At the Annual Illinois Association of Park Districts/Illinois Park & Recreation Association Soaring to New Heights Conference, held January 23-25 at the Chicago Hyatt Regency, Plainfield Park District Deputy Director Maureen Nugent was recognized as the IPRA Distinguished Member for the Administration & Finance Section. In addition to membership and contributing to the A&F Section over a many number of years, Nugent also recently served on a five-member committee that worked with the IRPA Finance Staff to provide oversight of the Association’s finances from 2019-2023. She joined Plainfield Park District in 2000 after previously working as the Business Manager at Memorial Park District (1995-2000) in Hillside. She was promoted to Deputy Director at Plainfield in 2019 and currently oversees finance, human resources and information technology.

It was another outstanding weekend for the Plainfield Park District at the Annual Illinois Association of Park Districts/Illinois Park & Recreation Association Soaring to New Heights Conference held January 23-25 at the Chicago Hyatt Regency. The Park District's Van Horn Woods, which underwent a massive renovation from 2022-2024, won for Best Park/Facility. The renovation was designed by Director of Planning Bob Collins. Project elements included: - Replacement of the playground at Van Horn Woods East (special inclusive focus for children on the Autism spectrum) - Fishing pier improvements - 9 Hole DiscGolf Course - Shoreline restoration - Fitness pods - Permanent fixtures at the bike park - Pollinator garden - Expanded trails throughout Visit https://lnkd.in/g99p3DNz for more information on the Park District's recognition and awards earned at this year's conference.

The Plainfield Park District announced today that it has been awarded an Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) grant administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources in the amount of $260,000 for the development of Creekside Crossing South. “We're thankful for the opportunity to develop this neighborhood park," said Plainfield Park District Executive Director Carlo Capalbo. "We're always trying to find ways to enhance recreation opportunities in the District, and this state grant is a fantastic way to help make that happen." OSLAD grants provide up to one-half of a project's funds, with the rest of the funding coming from the Plainfield Park District's capital and special recreation funds. The primary objective of the 5.7-acre Creekside Crossing South development is to provide unique recreational amenities for the southwest region of the Plainfield Park District. The site is part of the Creekside housing development, which stalled out after 2008, but restarted in in the past few years on the south side of Renwick Road. The park site is needed for the new residents. Project elements, which will meet or exceed ADA guidelines, are to include: - Playground structures for 2-5 and 5-12 - Shelter - Picnic Tables - Benches - Discgolf (three holes) - Outdoor Game Area - Court Play Area - Open Play Area - Seating Area with Pollinator Garden - Fitness Pod - Walking Trail Input on the project's elements were received at a public meeting held August 16, 2023. Additionally, an online survey was communicated via the local Homeowners' Association and had 137 responses. The Park District will be conducting additional public input for the playground equipment and play court designs at a time and place to be announced. https://lnkd.in/gz757NeW

Enjoy Werk Force Brewery's award-winning selection of beers along with a catered dinner from Happy Belly’s scratch kitchen at the Inaugural Pints for Parks set for 6 to 9 p.m., November 14. Proceeds from the event benefit the scholarship fund for the Friends of the Plainfield Park District Foundation, which assists the Park District in its mission of providing recreation opportunities for all residents. Cost is $75 per person, which includes two drink tickets, a raffle ticket and a catered dinner. Acoustic singer/song-writer Seth Mercer is the evening's entertainer, playing originals and cover songs that span from the 70's to today. Register online at?https://lnkd.in/g8FV9KUW. Current raffle baskets include: - Bourbon basket (Blanton's, EH Taylor Small Batch, Eagle Rare, Weller Special Reserve, Buffalo Trace) - Bloody basket (Tito's Vodka, Frank's RedHot Bloody Mary Mix, summer sausage, cheese) - TR Miller Heating, Cooling & Plumbing - NuMark Credit Union - Plainfield-Shorewood Area Chamber of Commerce - Associated Orthodontics - Moravec Orthodontics - Plainfield River Tubing - ServPro - Weblinx - Community Digital Displays - And more! Thank you to our sponsors! Presenting Sponsor: D'Arcy Buick GMC Dinner Sponsor: Window World Drinks Sponsor: Business Knowledge Systems

For the second straight year, the Plainfield Park District was chosen the BEST park district in the 2024 Herald-News Best of Will County Readers’ Choice Awards. The Park District will be honored at the Best of Will County Readers’ Choice Winners Celebration scheduled for December 9 at the Jacob Henry Mansion in Joliet. Founded in 1966, the Plainfield Park District is the 9th largest park district in the State of Illinois, serving over 110,000 residents in Will and Kendall counties including the areas of Plainfield, Joliet, Romeoville, Crest Hill and Bolingbrook. In 2024, the District earned its second National Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management as selected by the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration in partnership with the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA). The District also was recognized as an Illinois Distinguished Accredited Agency in early 2024 for excellence in delivering parks and recreation services. The accreditation is a rigorous evaluation process by a joint committee of park and recreation professionals and elected officials and includes having to meet various standards and criteria in providing exceptional park and recreation services to the community. In 2022, the District joined the ranks of elite park and recreation agencies across the country by earning accreditation through the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA) and the NRPA. CAPRA accreditation is the only national accreditation for park and recreation agencies, and is a measure of an agency’s overall quality of operation, management and service to the community. https://lnkd.in/g2hfNsM7

The Plainfield Park District is bringing a finalist medal home to Plainfield! While we didn’t win the grand plaque this time, we are honored to have been a finalist for the second straight year for the 2024 National Gold Medal Awards in Parks and Recreation Management. Pictured are (front row, from left) Park Board Vice President Heath Wright, Park Board President Bill Thoman, Park Board Commissioner Tracee Steele, Park District Director of Planning Bob Collins, (second row) Park District Executive Assistant Heather Caldwell, Park District Director of Recreation & Facilities Andrea Juricic, Park District Director of Marketing & Community Outreach Josh Hendricks, Park District Deputy Director Maureen Nugent, and Park District Executive Director Carlo Capalbo.?

Join us for our Pints for Parks event November 14. Register online at https://lnkd.in/g8FV9KUW.

Congratulations to NuMark Credit Union for being named a Best Friend of Illinois Parks - Mid-Sized Business by the Illinois Association of Park Districts (IAPD). NuMark and its representatives will be honored at the IAPD's Best of the Best Awards Gala to be held October 25 at Chevy Chase Country Club in Wheeling. NuMark has been serving the southwest suburbs of Chicago for over 70 years. They have 13 Chicagoland branches, including two in the Plainfield Park District. They have advertised and sponsored events with the Park District since 2016. They have been involved in a variety of different areas with the District including sponsoring numerous different events such as: · Fourth of July Fireworks · Daddy-Daughter Dance · Egg-citing Activities Egg Hunts · Patriotic Picnic · Movies in the Park · Autumn Family Fun Fest · Grinchmas on the Green · Movies in the Park · Cruise to Village Green · Party at PARC “As a credit union, NuMark believes giving back to the community is of the utmost importance – whether it’s financially or through volunteer efforts,” said NuMark Credit Union Regional Manager Karen Huston. “Our values align perfectly with the Plainfield Park District, which provides needed services to the surrounding communities. We make a conscious effort to support organizations that we believe are making a difference in the community and its members, like the park district has done for many years.” “NuMark, previously NorthStar, has been a great supporter of the Park District since I’ve been here,” said Plainfield Park District Executive Director Carlo Capalbo. “And not only do they sponsor various events, but they consistently add value to those events.” Plainfield Park District is not the only recipient of NuMark’s generosity. Other examples of community support include: · NuMark Credit Union, 1340 WJOL staff and a large gathering of community members met at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery for the annual Flags in Day event on May 24. The event includes placing American flags at all of the gravesites of veterans buried there in preparation for Memorial Day. · Also in May of 2024, NuMark partnered with Northern Illinois Food Bank to hold a mobile food market for residents of Hope Manor at Joliet’s VA Clinic. NuMark volunteers handed out fresh produce, canned goods and other household grocery needs to residents. · Participating in various local festivals and walking in parades such as Aurora Pride Parade, Paw Paw Labor Day Parade, Joliet Mexican Independence Day Parade, Earlville Lions Club Lions Fest Parade, and more. “We believe that the most successful businesses are the ones that put an effort into connecting with and supporting the community," Huston said. "NuMark works hard to exemplify that mentality every day. We look forward to our continued partnership with the Plainfield Park District, as well as helping to make our communities happier, healthier, and safer for everyone living in them.”