The Plainfield Park District had a banner weekend at the Illinois Association of Park Districts/Illinois Park & Recreation Association Soaring to New Heights Conference held January 25-27 at the Chicago Hyatt Regency.
Illinois Distinguished Accredited Agency
As a whole, the District was recognized as an Illinois Distinguished Accredited Agency. 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. Plainfield Park District achieved a score of 503.4, exceeding the total possible of 500 points (bonus points awarded for certain accomplishments).
Agency Showcase
Plainfield Park District Marketing Manager Angela Williams shined in the Agency Showcase Competition bringing home first-, second- and third-place finishes. Agency Showcase spotlights communications and marketing work exhibited by park, recreation, and conservation agencies throughout Illinois. Angela earned a first-place award in the Paid Advertisement category for the District’s Black Friday promotion.
Williams also earned a second-place finish for Integrated Photography, altering a basketball photo to promote the District’s youth basketball program. Finally, Angela earned a third-place finish for Informational Communications for the District’s Annual Report, which highlights accomplishments from the previous fiscal year.
IPRA Business Meeting
Plainfield Park District Executive Director Carlo Capalbo was honored with a Chairman’s Award at the Annual IPRA Business Meeting held January 26. The award is presented to individuals for their extraordinary contributions to the association and the field of parks and recreation. It is the third such time he has been honored with the award.
This past year, Capalbo was involved with the Joint Distinguished Park and Recreation Accreditation Committee, served as a trustee on the Illinois Park & Recreation Association Foundation, and was chair of the Joint Conference Committee. Outgoing IPRA Board Chair and Glencoe Park District Executive Director Lisa Sheppard presented him with the award.
Deputy Director Maureen Nugent was recognized with an outgoing Finance Chair Award at the IPRA Annual Business Meeting. For the past five years, Nugent served on a five-member committee that worked with the IRPA Finance Staff to provide oversight of the Association’s finances.
Director of Planning Bob Collins accepted the 2023 IPRA Promotes Play Initiative award in recognition of promoting best practices in parks and recreation with the renovation of Van Horn Woods East. The District received a $30,783.62 grant from Playcore and GameTime to assist in the renovation.
