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PDOP’s Carroll Center Becomes Second Facility in Illinois to be Net Zero Verified

carroll community center

The Park District of Oak Park has announced that the New Buildings Institute has verified that the District’s Carroll Center has become the second facility in all of Illinois to have energy standards meet net zero energy performance. To meet this requirement, a building must generate as much energy as it consumes over the course of a year.
“It’s a huge accomplishment for our Park District to both build and operate a facility that meets this verification, and we’re thrilled to receive acknowledgment of that effort,” said Chris Lindgren, superintendent of parks and planning. “We’d like to thank Tom Bassett-Dilley and Mark Nussbaum for their architectural and engineering excellence, as our goal has always been to preserve and protect the environment. This is a step in that direction, and this project accomplishment falls in line with our core values of sustainability.”

The Carroll Center was constructed using Passive House design principles, which are used to attain a quantifiable and rigorous level of energy efficiency, including superinsulation and airtight construction along with continuous ventilation to achieve a comfortable building temperature year-round while using as little energy as possible. Some additional building features that contributed to this verification include triple-glazed windows, super insulated roof/walls/slab, LED lighting, electrical load monitoring, daylighting and urban timber re-use.

“There are very few others working toward this verification in Illinois, but the initiative is growing rapidly,” said Jan Arnold, executive director. “We’re proud to be at the forefront of this movement to protect the world around us while providing for our community members, and we hope others can follow in these steps towards sustainability.”

Previously, the Park District was awarded a grant from the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation to achieve Source Zero Energy Certification and Passive House Certification for the Carroll Center expansion project. The Park District has also committed to building its upcoming Community Recreation Center (CRC) as a Net Zero building through a similar grant from the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation, as well as supplemental funding from the Village of Oak Park’s sustainability funding.
For more information on the Park District’s environmental initiatives, visit https://www.pdop.org/about/environment/.

About Park District of Oak Park: The Park District of Oak Park serves the recreation needs of Oak Park’s 52,000 residents, providing nearly 3,000 programs and special events annually throughout our versatile recreation centers, 18 parks totaling 84 acres, two outdoor pools, indoor ice rink, gymnastic center, the Oak Park Conservatory, Cheney Mansion and Pleasant Home. Since 1912, our high-quality programs and well-maintained parks and facilities have dependably met residents’ diverse leisure, wellness, childcare and other needs and helped enhance quality of life. Learn more at https://www.pdop.org/.

About Park District of Oak Park: The Park District of Oak Park serves the recreation needs of Oak Park’s 52,000 residents, providing nearly 3,000 programs and special events annually throughout our versatile recreation centers, 18 parks totaling 84 acres, two outdoor pools, indoor ice rink, gymnastic center, the Oak Park Conservatory, Cheney Mansion and Pleasant Home. Since 1912, our high-quality programs and well-maintained parks and facilities have dependably met residents’ diverse leisure, wellness, childcare and other needs and helped enhance quality of life. Learn more at https://www.pdop.org/.

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Winter Storm Warning: Closures

Due to the severe weather and dangerous conditions, all PDOP programs and events are canceled for the duration of the day, Wednesday, February 2. All Park District facilities are closed as well, including the Oak Park Conservatory. Customer Service is available via phone at (708) 725–2000 or email at info@pdop.org until 5:00 PM today.

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PDOP awarded the 2021 PIAS Award

The Park District of Oak Park was awarded the 2021 Platinum International Aquatic Safety Award from Jeff Ellis & Associates, Inc.

This award recognizes aquatic facilities who are consistently exceeding their criteria for aquatic safety certification. International Safety Awards are presented in three levels – Silver, Gold, and Platinum.   Only the elite, top 14% of Ellis and Associate clients in the world receive a Platinum International Aquatic Safety Award each year.

Recipients are determined based on the results they receive from multiple unannounced aquatic facility operational safety audits conducted randomly throughout the year. Ellis & Associate’s International Staff Auditors conduct these audits by gathering undercover video surveillance of individual on-duty lifeguards to accurately evaluate the lifeguards’ professional diligence and alertness to their water. Basic life support and rescue skills, both individual and team, are also evaluated along with the effectiveness of established Emergency Action Plans by simulating emergency situations. The audit concludes with administrative, supervisory and facility evaluations.

Ellis & Associate’s client facilities represent the finest and safest aquatic facilities in the world, and all clients are top performers in these audits. With such high standards set already, it is an exceptional feat for a facility to perform so well that they are granted an International Aquatic Safety Award.

 “We are so proud of our lifeguards and aquatic managers for their efforts that resulted in this recognition,” said Jan Arnold, Executive Director.  The 2021 season was unique in the fact we were closed in 2020 due to the pandemic and started the season with a variety of safety protocols in place.  It is the District’s commitment to safety that we are proudest of.  The staff work diligently each and every day to ensure both a fun and safe experience for our guests.

The Park District of Oak Park operates two outdoor swimming pools from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Rehm Pool is located at 515 Garfield Street and Ridgeland Pool is located at 415 Lake Street. Both pools offer Public Swim, Lap Swim, Swim Lessons and Special Events and is open to both residents and non-residents.

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Community Service Awards

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(left to right) Board Members Kassie Porreca, Chris Wollmuth, CSA Recipients Mary Ellen Murphy, Isabel Romero Calvo, Mary O’Kiersey, Board Members Sandy Lentz, David Wick

Every year the Park District of Oak Park presents Community Service Awards to organizations and individuals in our community who have made a significant impact on parks and recreation in our community, improving the quality of life for all residents. This year’s recipients personify this spirit of commitment and dedication.

Mary O’Kiersey, a volunteer since 2010, Mary helps manage special events for the Oak Park Conservatory along with participating in the Cheney Mansion vegetable volunteer group, Mills Tower Garden Club and a member of the OPRF Garden Club.

Mary Ellen Murphy, a volunteer since 2010, Mary Ellen is the co-chair of the Friends of the Oak Park Conservatory Plant Sale, a University of Illinois Master Gardener and volunteers weekly with the Exploration Station. Mary Ellen is also an active volunteer in the native and perennial beds at Cheney Mansion and volunteer at the Park Ridge Garden Club.

Donna Makow, a volunteer since 2010, Donna is a dedicated weekly volunteer in the Cheney Mansion vegetable garden as well as various events for the Friends of Oak Park Conservatory.

Martha Yount, a volunteer since 2016, Martha volunteers at Cheney Mansion and Oak Park Conservatory and has helped with education programs and special events at the Conservatory in the past.

Kathie Gillies, a volunteer since 2018, Kathie is currently a member of the education committee and in the past, has been a key member in planning special events for the Oak Park Conservatory.

Isabel Romero Calvo, a volunteer since 2019, Isabel can be found working in the gardens of Cheney Mansion or at the Conservatory helping with various projects. Isabel is a native of Granada, Spain but after moving to the South Loop, found the Conservatory and has volunteered ever since.

Ann Courter, a volunteer since 2020, Ann started in the docent-training program abut moved on to become a weekly volunteer at Cheney Mansion when tours were sidelined due to COVID-19. Ann also helps out at the showrooms at the Oak Park Conservatory.

It was an honor to recognize these community leaders at the June Park Board Meeting. 

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“The Park District of Oak Park Announced as Finalist for the 2021 National Gold Medal Awards in Parks and Recreation Management”

OAK PARK, IL, MAY 11, 2021 – The American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration (AAPRA), in partnership with the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), is pleased to announce The Park District of Oak Park as a finalist for the 2021 National Gold Medal Awards for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management. Musco Lighting, LLC is proud to continue its 20+ years of sponsoring the National Gold Medal Awards program.

Founded in 1965, the National Gold Medal Awards program honors communities in the United States that demonstrate excellence in parks and recreation through long-range planning, resource management, volunteerism, environmental stewardship, program development, professional development and agency recognition. Applications are separated into six classes, with five classes based on population and one class for armed forces.

AAPRA Executive Director Jane H. Adams shared, “Each Finalist is congratulated for this prestigious award. We know local communities, state park systems, and military installations worldwide met the challenge of being responsive to the changing demands of delivering services during the COVID 19 pandemic. Park visitors and program participants have come to rely upon their service provider for physical, mental, and emotional support during this pandemic.  The Academy congratulates each Finalist for their management excellence during this unprecedented time.”

The Park District of Oak Park is a finalist in the Class 4 category (population between 30,001 and 75,000). The Park District serves the recreational needs of more than 52,000 Oak Park residents, providing over 3000 recreation and special events programs annually. The District owns an Administrative Center, two outdoor pools, an indoor year-round ice rink, the Oak Park Conservatory, Cheney Mansion, Pleasant Home, a gymnastics & recreation center, seven recreation centers plus 18 parks totaling 84 acres of parkland.

Agencies are judged on their ability to address the needs of those they serve through the collective energies of community members, staff members and elected officials. The Park District of Oak Park joins three other finalists in their class that will compete for Grand Plaque which will be awarded in September.

Jan R. Arnold, the Executive Director of the Park District of Oak Park, said “We are thrilled to be recognized as one of the best in the nation. Many thanks to our board, staff, and volunteers for their commitment and dedication to serving the needs of our community each and every day.”

Park Board President, Kassie Porreca, agrees, “We are truly honored to be recognized for the outstanding work of our staff, volunteers, and community members who each play a vital role in the ability of the Park District to successfully serve the residents of Oak Park.”

A panel of five highly qualified park and recreation professionals will review and judge all application materials. Judges are chosen for their considerable experience and knowledge in parks and recreation on both the local and national levels.

This year’s finalists will compete for the Grand Plaque Award honors this summer, and seven Grand Plaque recipients will be announced during the 2021 NRPA Conference, which will be held virtually and in person September 21-23 in Nashville, Tennessee. The presentation of both the Finalist and Grand Plaque recipients is being finalized and details will be forthcoming.

For more information on the National Gold Medal Award Program, visit www.aapra.org.