Mission, Vision, Values
MISSION
In partnership with the community, we enrich lives by providing meaningful experiences through programs, parks, and facilities.
VISION
We strive for excellence in serving the well-being and recreation needs of our diverse community through a collaborative, innovative, and sustainable approach.
Values
Community Engagement
We will actively work to foster ongoing dialogue, relationships, collaborations, and partnerships with and within the community.
- Hosted 24 free community events.
- Engaged 300+ Active Adults through our membership program.
- Welcomed 2,100 participants to the Frank Lloyd Wright Races.
- Conducted two focus groups with BIPOC leaders in our community to explore programming, operations, and communications.
- Launched a seven-member resident team to gain feedback on the Program Guide and registration process.
Responsible Leadership
We will maintain a high performing, engaged, and accountable organization.
- Earned the prestigious Gold Medal Finalist award.
- Received the GFOA’s Distinguished Budget Presentation award for the 12th year in a row.
- Received the GFOA’s Annual Financial Reporting award for the 10th year in a row.
- Received $200,000 ComEd grant to install LED lighting at Taylor Park and RCRC.
- Received $2 million in ARPA grants from the Village to renovate two parks.
- Developed a financial model to illustrate the dollar impact of the minimum wage increase to balance economic opportunity and keep prices affordable.
- Developed a dashboard to quantify savings from green initiatives.
Integrity
We will adhere to moral, honest, and ethical principles with a focus on accessibility, inclusion, and transparency.
- Established 10+ new partnerships with people of color to improve diversity in hiring and volunteering.
- We have performance dashboards available that lend insight into the continually improving park operations.
- Conducted virtual Master Plan reviews with community members.
We will continuously try new methods and ideas, adapt services according to trends, and continually improve processes.
- Implemented Statusified to manage facility open/closure notifications on our website.
- Installed new Pool Occupancy Counters to share with the community.
- Created a web-based platform called Launchpad for staff to share and comment on new ideas.
- Replaced registration system with one selected from citizen input, eliminating barriers to enrollment including online access to scholarship opportunities.
- Redesigned and launched a new PDOP website based on community input.
We will thrive through renewal, maintenance, and stewardship in all aspects of operation.
- Built the Community Recreation Center to operate as a net-zero facility.
- Earned official verification for Carroll Center as a Net Zero facility.
- Installed Geothermal HVAC system at Pleasant Home and Carroll Center.
- Converted Taylor Park, Maple Park, and RCRC indoor and outdoor lights to LED.
- Retrofitted landscape trailer for new solar application and battery charging set-up.
- Approved second community solar contract for 13 remaining facilities.
- Composted approximately 675 gallons and recycled 1,000 gallons of materials during our Summer Concerts and Movies in the Parks.
- Planted 84 trees in our parks.
Inclusivity
We will actively and intentionally value multiple layers of human characteristics and view such differences as strengths, while striving for equity among all identities to be authentic, feel safe and be respected in our programs, parks, and facilities.
- Signed an intergovernmental agreement with the Township to continue Youth Engagement services.
- Engaged in safe-zone conversation trainings on the BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and Latinx communities.
- Participated in training through the Township focused on youth, including managing difficult conversation, de-escalation tactics, and youth mental health.
- Participated in two intergovernmental planning sessions for the VOP I-Plan and community alternative mental health response plan.
- Entered an intergovernmental agreement with OPRF for field sharing.
- Developed, approved, and adopted an Inclusivity value statement to guide the District in addressing diversity, equity, and inclusion in our community.
- Established an inter-departmental DEI committee for promoting social equity, resulting in a new social equity policy, partnerships, and trainings to benefit internal and external customers.
