Park District of Oak Park

"Determined, Student, Encouraging"
The Parks & Planning crew spend their days making Oak Park beautiful and safe for residents to enjoy! Learn more about the crew's tasks and day-to-day processes behind the scenes of Oak Park life.

Three teams handle different things around Oak Park under the purview of Chris Lindgren, Superintendent of Parks and Planning.

The team under Nelson Acevedo, Buildings Supervisor, handles all brick and mortar facilities, as well as their maintenance needs.

The team under Travis Stephen, Turf Manager, manages the parks and grounds, as well as upkeep of both turf and sports fields.

The team under John Borland, Grounds Maintenance Supervisor, manages the courts, grounds, parks and playgrounds.

The Parks & Planning team also handles set-up, break-down, and cleanup for our Movies in the Park series, the Summer Concerts series, the Frank Lloyd Wright Race, and more

Parks & Planning Team

"Creative, Hardworking, Optimistic"
Abby Sacks, a recent New York University graduate and an Oak Park local, is helping you have a pool-ready summer this season! Abby fell in love with swimming at the Park District pools early in life. She attended OPRF and when she wasn't at the pool, she marched in band or costumed for plays.

Abby likes working at the Park District because of the people, and she likes seeing the result of all her efforts increasing joy in the community.

"All of the people at RCRC are passionate about providing great experiences to the people who visit us, and that enthusiasm is infectious."

What would Abby think the community may find interesting? "I’m not sure people grasp how much maintenance goes in to opening the pool and rink. I really started to learn about that side of things when I learned to drive the Zamboni. We service the ice every few hours at the rink and that’s just the tip of the iceberg as far as the actual mechanics involved with keeping it frozen."

Abby Sacks

Rink & Aquatics Supervisor

"Creative, Knowledgeable, Adventurer"
Adventure is in the air of Oak Park, and nobody knows it better than Hannah Szuch!

With a background in science, our natural world, and expertise in translating the workings behind these difficult concepts, Hannah has joined the Park District's staff to bring more learning, fun and eco-friendly practices into Oak Park and its residents.

"Oak Park is a very environmentally-forward community because the people in it are the kind of people who are environmentally-forward. It’s a sum of its parts."

Hannah believes the importance of the local trees should not only known and appreciated by the community, but an enduring value. "Oaks are really important trees because they can get so big and old, and they absorb a lot of carbon dioxide. They’re great for the environment! Oak Park is named after this really important tree. It’s our namesake. We should be proud of it and support the life that supports us."

Hannah Szuch

Nature & Adventure Supervisor

"Diligent, Empathetic, Goofy"
Are you game? Meet the new e-sports coordinator for the Park District, Thi Relf! They are captaining the new Adult E-Sports League coming this Fall, a fun social space where adult video-gamers can play, discuss, relax and more!

They even have their very own Discord server, where gamers can chat and get updates on upcoming events. Thi will serve as the Discord moderator, keeping everything relevant and safe.

Thi feels that videogames are not just limited to teens or youth in Oak Park. "I would point to the people making money off of playing games. There are so many people who stream and who are pro e-sports players...I hope by offering these programs or giving a space for people to find like-minded people or to simply be themselves."

Thi hopes this social gathering space will one day evolve into a hub for local gamers. The league offers PCs and other gaming tools.

Thi Relf

E-Sports Coordinator

"Confident, Thoughtful, Savvy"
Congratulations to Nana Sarpey! She is 'Counselor of the Week' for Camp Spark 2-3!

Nana will be a Senior at OPRF this fall and has worked at PDOP Clubhouse during the school year. Nana is known for her flexibility and willingness to step up when needed.

"I’m proud of is the leadership skills that I’ve developed over the years, and solidified in this job. Growing up, leadership was difficult for me. I was either “overly bossy” or insanely removed from the people around me. I couldn’t find the right balance and as a result, I rarely felt listened to or respected. But as I learned to respect myself and the people around me, I’ve truly grown in leadership."

Nana became a counselor because she loves kids. Her favorite part of the day is when she can go home and share stories with her family of all the funny and adorable things that happened at work.

Nana Sarpey

Counselor of the Week

"Pride means that little girl got back up and chose to spend her life helping others up, too."
"My name is Ms. Dianne. I run the Dole Clubhouse afterschool program, teach a variety of art classes, and happen to be pansexual. Being able to state this is a testament to my Pride journey. When I was a middle schooler in rural Ohio, someone pushed me down the stairs at school, calling 'Lesbian!' in disgust. For a long time after, I felt guilty for liking Xena and thinking girls were pretty. I didn’t know what Pride was then, but I do now.

Pride means that little girl got back up and chose to spend her life helping others up, too. Pride means speaking up against injustice. Pride means building a community where everyone feels safe to be themselves. Pride means watching an 8-year-old student bring a “They” coloring page up, telling me that for the first time, they were represented in artwork. Pride means an adult student trusting me with their blossoming trans journey and their new pronouns. Pride means being able to meet someone’s eyes, speak their name, and connect through the exchange of loving kindness.

I am proud to be part of the Park District of Oak Park, which provides me with boundless opportunities to put my Pride to practice."

Dianne Selden

Clubhouse Site Supervisor & Arts Program Instructor

"They're lifetime sports: Skating and swimming! You'll never forget."
With decades of work in hockey and skating programs, and his namesake ice arena at Ridgeland Common Recreation Complex, Paul Hruby is a living archive of the amazing history that can be found in Oak Park.

Watching residents smile and go by, Hruby reminisced about his earlier days and how much fun it was to waltz in the rink, "Ice dancing, we must bring it back!"

In light of local Olympian Emery Lehman's appearance, when asked on the key to ice skating, Paul was quick to offer this advice: "Sharp blades, and skates that fit!"

Paul Hruby

Local Legend

"Reliable, Eclectic, Zany"
Look low and high when visiting Oak Park Conservatory to spot Mark Omi. Whether tending to the grounds or working on the upper exterior of the Conservatory building, Mark is in the action! A valued team-member, Mark's contributions to the Park District and Oak Park as a whole is unmeasurable. "I feel like I am a part of the neighborhood and the community...I feel privileged to be a part of this organization because it allows me to support the community through my passion for plants."

Mark is a certified Arborist through the International Society of Arboriculture but his passion for trees began long before. "I first got into trees - literally up into them - at the Morton Arboretum where I spent my time learning to rig and climb on their arborist crew.”

“The Conservatory has long served as a beacon for plants and plant enthusiasts for almost 100 years. It is a beautiful, old building packed with plants from all over the world. Its true beauty, however, lies within the hearts of the countless volunteers and visitors who have created this powerfully healing community and environment.”

Mark Omi

Conservatory Technician & Arborist

Childcare

Athletics

Activities

Age-Based Interests

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Registration Information

Childcare

Athletics

Activities

Age-Based Interests

Register

Registration Information

Upcoming Events at the Park District

February

04

✎ Summer Camp Resident Registration

February

04

Repair Cafe

February

04

Winter Fest

February

11

✎ Summer Camp Non-Resident Registration

February

11

Sustainable Saturday

February

14

🌹 Valentine’s Market Opens In-Person

February

19

Family Fun Open House

March

04

Repair Cafe

March

11

Sustainable Saturday

February 7

February 7

February 7

Featured News

Our Mission

In partnership with the community, we enrich lives by providing meaningful experiences through programs, parks, and facilities.

Parks & Planning Team

Abby Sacks

Hannah Szuch

Thi Relf

Nana Sarpey

Dianne Selden

Paul Hruby

Mark Omi

John Hedges Administrative Center, 218 Madison, Oak Park, IL 60302

Customer Service & Registration Hours

Ridgeland Common Recreation Complex

415 Lake St, Oak Park, IL 60302

Gymnastic and Recreation Center

21 Lake St, Oak Park, IL 60302