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Longfellow Park, Environmental Leader

Oak Park, August 9, 2023 – The Park District of Oak Park is excited to announce the successful recertification of Longfellow Park, solidifying its commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable practices. The recertification process, completed in collaboration with SFMA (Sustainable Facilities Management Association), affirms the park’s dedication to best management practices and its role as an industry leader.

Longfellow Park’s recertification marks a significant achievement for the community, as it demonstrates the park’s continued commitment to preserving and enhancing its natural surroundings. The rigorous evaluation process included the completion of two new sections, which Longfellow Park not only accomplished but excelled in, showcasing its dedication to sustainable operations.

In an email from SFMA, the Park District of Oak Park was congratulated for its achievement: “Congratulations on recertifying Longfellow Park! You have successfully completed the recertification process and passed the two new sections. Members, like you who embrace best management practices, have validated to your peers and to your community your commitment to environmental stewardship. Certifying your facility exhibits leadership in our industry and places you in the top echelon of professionals. This certification will be valid until June 22, 2026. Again, congratulations, and thank you for your interest and dedication to environmental stewardship.”

This recertification affirms Longfellow Park’s position as a frontrunner in sustainable park management, reflecting positively on the entire Oak Park community. The achievement underscores the park’s role as an example of responsible environmental stewardship, setting a high standard for others to follow.

The Park District of Oak Park is proud of Longfellow Park’s accomplishments and extends its gratitude to SFMA for their guidance and support throughout the recertification process. The park’s dedication to maintaining its certification until June 22, 2026, underscores its unwavering commitment to sustainable practices and community well-being.

For more information about Longfellow Park’s recertification and the Park District of Oak Park’s ongoing efforts in environmental stewardship, please visit the official website at www.pdop.org or contact the Park District directly.

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PDOP Wins GFOA Budget Award

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


August 07, 2023
For more information, contact:
Technical Services Center
Phone: (312) 977-9700
Fax: (312) 977-4806
E-mail: budgetawards@gfoa.org


(Chicago, Illinois)–Government Finance Officers Association is pleased to announce that Park District of Oak Park, Illinois, has received GFOA’s Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for its budget.
The award represents a significant achievement by the entity. It reflects the commitment of the governing body and staff to meeting the highest principles of governmental budgeting. In order to receive the budget award, the entity had to satisfy nationally recognized guidelines for effective budget presentation. These guidelines are designed to assess how well an entity’s budget serves as:


– a policy document
– a financial plan
– an operations guide
– a communications device


Budget documents must be rated “proficient” in all four categories, and in the fourteen mandatory criteria within those categories, to receive the award.


When a Distinguished Budget Presentation Award is granted to an entity, a Certificate of Recognition for Budget Presentation is also presented to the individual(s) or department designated as being primarily responsible for having achieved the award. This has been presented to Finance Department.


There are over 1,700 participants in the Budget Awards Program. The most recent Budget Award recipients, along with their corresponding budget documents, are posted quarterly on GFOA’s website. Award recipients have pioneered efforts to improve the quality of budgeting and provide an excellent example for other governments throughout North America.


Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) advances excellence in government finance by providing best practices, professional development, resources and practical research for more than 22,500 members and the communities they serve.

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Illinois Green Alliance Celebrates Carroll Center

Illinois Green Alliance is celebrating Net Zero Buildings Week!

“We’re introducing new case studies, blog posts, and a state of net zero in Illinois survey to advance the building industry. Join us by using the hashtag #Decarb4Good and by accessing the resources below.”

Check out their new net zero building case studies below!

Lincolnshire, IL – Adlai E. Stevenson High School EBA I

Oak Park, IL – Carroll Community Center

“What’s it like to operate a net zero building?”

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Barrie Park Renovation Update

Dear Neighbor,

I am writing to share with you the timeline and details of the Barrie Park renovation project. This exciting renovation will commence May 30 and is scheduled to be completed by December 1, 2023. The work included in this project is the direct result of resident input from the 2015 Barrie Park Site plan community meetings and includes repair of the north side retaining wall, sled hill improvements, a new playground and tot lot, and the addition of a natural play area and rain garden.

Here are some specific details to help you navigate the park during renovation:

  • Fencing will surround the closed areas of the park.
  • The sports fields, including baseball and soccer fields, will remain open throughout the project.
  • The tot lot will remain open until approximately August 1, when new equipment is scheduled to arrive. A fence around the tot lot will indicate that work is ready to commence.
  • The perimeter sidewalk will remain open; temporary orange fencing will indicate requisite sidewalk work is taking place.
  • The sled hill will be closed for the entirety of the project.

Our playground equipment will be donated to Kids Around the World, a non-profit that refurbishes used playground equipment and installs it in countries experiencing violence, war, or deep poverty.

We are thrilled to bring these new amenities to the community and thank you for your patience during this work. If you would like to see the specific plan details, please visit pdop.org/park-planning-projects.

Please feel free to reach out to Chris Lindgren, Superintendent of Parks & Planning, at chris.lindgren@pdop.org with specific questions about the project.

Best,

Ann Marie Buczek

Communication & Community Engagement Manager

Park District of Oak Park

218 Madison Street

Oak Park, IL 60302

708-725-2121

AnnMarie.Buczek@pdop.org

SEE VISUAL HERE

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Grand Opening of the CRC

Park District of Oak Park Celebrates Grand Opening of the New Community Recreation Center

The highly anticipated new Community Recreation Center (CRC) located at 229 Madison Street is officially opening its doors to the public on May 22, 2023. The much-needed community facility offers a wide range of amenities and programs designed to promote health, wellness, and community engagement. The 42,000-square-foot Center features the following amenities:


•Three-lane indoor walking/running track
•Fitness center with cardio machines, strength-training equipment, and free weights
•12,000-square foot gymnasium with 12 basketball hoops that can be converted into two middle-school sized basketball courts or four short courts and will also host pickleball, volleyball, badminton, and more
•Esports Lounge equipped with consoles, PCs, and video games for classes, tournaments, and open play
•Childcare (3 months to 11 years old) for CRC visitors
•Inclusive locker room equipped with individual lockers, private changing rooms, lavatories, and showers
•Multi-purpose room for programs and events
•Two community rooms available for programs and meetings
•Free afterschool program for Oak Park youth in 6th through 12th grade on school days from3:00 – 6:00 p.m. with structured and unstructured activities supervised by our staff social worker beginning fall 2023
•Access to mental health resources from the Community Mental Health Board office suite
The facility is fully electric and collects energy through solar panels and energy saving construction and mechanics. The facility is also equipped with battery storage that collects and stores electricity so the facility may continue operations in the event of a power outage. This

facility is the second Park District facility built to operate as a Net Zero facility and is a testament to our commitment to sustainability. This amenity was made possible by a grant from the Illinois Clean Energy Foundation and supplemental funding from the Village of Oak Park’s sustainability funding.


“We are thrilled to provide our community members with a new space to engage in healthy activities and to connect with neighbors,” said Jan Arnold, Executive Director of the Park District. “Our goal is to create a welcoming, inclusive environment where everyone feels they belong, and encouraged to pursue their health and wellness goals.”


To celebrate the grand opening of the Community Recreation Center, there will be a ribbon-cutting ceremony and a grand opening event on Sunday, May 21 from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. The community is invited to explore all the CRC has to offer with family friendly activities, games, and giveaways. Visitors are welcome to walk the indoor track and participate in organized and open game play in the gymnasium, Esports Lounge, and Playzone childcare room. They can also explore the fitness center where staff will be available for questions and demonstrations or enjoy fitness and dance demos in the Fitness & Dance studio. Additionally, Rush Oak Park Hospital staff will provide health screenings and feature our “Walk with a Doc” program.


Monthly memberships starting at $25 for adults 19+, $20 for 12–18-year-olds, and $5 for 8–11-year-olds will be available for purchase. Fitness and Playzone childcare passes will also be available for purchase. Finally, all Oak Park residents can sign up for a free CRC Track Membership which allows access to the walking/running track during normal operating hours.


“We invite everyone in Oak Park to join us for this exciting occasion and learn more about the many ways the Community Recreation Center can enhance their quality of life,” added Kassie Porreca, Park Board President. “We’re confident the CRC will be a central gathering place for our community and a great source of pride for years to come.”
For more information about the Community Recreation Center and its

programs, please visit pdop.org/crc.

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About the Park District of Oak Park: The Park District of Oak Park serves the recreation needs of Oak Park’s 53,000 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/.