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Park District Takes Top Innovation in Local Government Award

Maureen McCarthy (right), Park District Superintendent of Recreation, accepts the J. Robert Havlick Award for Innovation in Local Government on behalf of the Park District of Oak Park from Karen Thoreson, President of the Alliance for Innovation.

The Park District of Oak Park received this year’s J. Robert Havlick Award for Innovation in Local Government competition for their submission, “Launch Pad: Getting Good Ideas Off the Ground”. The District’s work was honored at the Transforming Local Government Conference in Tulsa, Oklahoma on April 21, 2017. The Park District of Oak Park successfully uses an online portal to engage employees in improving the organization. Staff uses this online portal to share their ideas, comment on other ideas and make improvements and plans to implement their ideas based on other employee feedback.

“It is truly an honor for the Park District of Oak Park to be recognized with the J. Robert Havlick Award for Innovation by the Alliance for Innovation,” stated Paul Aeschleman, Park Board President. “The Park District strives to try new methods and ideas, adapt services according to trends and continually improve processes to better our organization and provide the highest quality programs and services to our community.”

The J. Robert Havlick Award for Innovation in Local Government was conceptualized by The Innovation Groups’ (now the Alliance for Innovation) Board of Directors to honor Bob Havlick, founder of the Innovation Group. One local government, its internal champion(s), and the innovation are honored with the J. Robert Havlick Award for Innovation in Local Government.

The Innovation Awards have evolved from their inception in 2004, to address a growing need to recognize and celebrate creativity, innovation and those who are pushing the bounds of creative excellence. These awards are presented each year at the Transforming Local Government Conference hosted by the Alliance for Innovation.

 “The 2017 Alliance for Innovation Award winners are shining examples of how local government leaders are advancing emerging practices in their communities,” said Karen Thoreson, President of the Alliance for Innovation. “They are making innovation work for their citizens and making their organizations more effective as they put their best ideas into practice.”

The Alliance for Innovation is dedicated to connecting thought leaders. It administers this distinguished award competition with the goal of raising the awareness of cities, counties and individuals who have made a quantum leap of creativity to make a positive impact on their community or jurisdiction.

“Some of the ideas born from the Launch Pad program include the SOOFA phone charging stations in four of our parks, the installation of cisterns in three park locations, and the Parks Passport Program to be rolled out to all school-aged kids this summer,” Park District Executive Director Jan Arnold explained. “The Launchpad Program allows the District to think outside the box and implement ideas that otherwise may not be possible.” An informational video is available at the Park District’s website at www.pdop.org/innovation/ featuring the Launchpad program. The Alliance for Innovation stands apart by offering leading-edge conferences such as TLG to challenge conventional thinking and inspire change. Award entries are judged alongside those of their peers, representing a wide variety of communities and perspectives.

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Park District Wins National Gold Medal Award

Oak Park, IL., Sept 15, 2015 – Months of preparation and a commitment to the highest level of service in parks and recreation has paid off for the Park District of Oak Park. They have been awarded the 2015 National Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management. The American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration (AAPRA), in partnership with the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), awarded this honor to Park District of Oak Park live during the Opening Session of the NRPA Annual Conference on September 15 in Nevada. 

Park District of Oak Park has won the Grand Plaque in the National Gold Medal Award Class IV Division. Agencies are judged on their ability to address the needs of those they serve through the collective energies of citizens, staff and elected officials. The Park District’s winning application highlighted how the District meets the recreation needs of its 52,000 residents by leveraging every square foot of its 84 acres of parkland through strategic partnerships, community input, and careful planning.

“To be chosen among the elite in parks and recreation agencies across the country as the winner of the National Gold Medal Award is a proud and historic moment in Park District history,” stated Paul Aeschleman, Park District Board President. “With the support of the Oak Park community, and the hard work and dedication of the Park District staff, volunteers and Board, we’ve been able to offer innovative programming, expand our scholarship program, open doors to multiple new facilities, and lay the groundwork for future success. We’re very proud to be recognized for these efforts as a Gold Medal winner.” 

Founded in 1965, the Gold Medal Awards program honors communities in the U.S. 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 seven classes, with five classes based on population, one class for armed forces recreation communities and the State Park System Class awarded every other year.

A panel of five park and recreation professionals reviews and judges all application materials. Judges are chosen for their considerable experience and knowledge in parks andrecreation on both the local and national levels.

This year’s proud sponsor of the Gold Medal Awards program is Musco Lighting LLC. For more information on the Gold Medal Awards, visit www.nrpa.org/goldmedal or www.aapra.org.