“Park District of Oak Park receives GFOA award for 2020 financial audit report”
The Park District of Oak Park’s annual comprehensive financial report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 has met the requirements to be awarded GFOA’s Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting.
The GFOA established the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting Program (Certificate Program) in 1945 to encourage and assist state and local governments to go beyond the minimum requirements of generally accepted accounting principles to prepare annual comprehensive financial reports that evidence the spirit of transparency and full disclosure and then to recognize individual governments that succeed in achieving that goal.
The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in governmental accounting and financial reporting.
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/.
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.
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 Eventsand is open to both residents and non-residents.
(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.
