I want kids to enjoy the Park District like I did growing up. After spending time with other politicians, I felt inspired to get involved and bring fresh ideas to improve our parks and programs.
As Park District Commissioner I would help oversee the parks and recreation programs, ensure proper funding and maintenance, and create opportunities for community engagement. I would aim to enhance the park district by improving facilities, expanding programs for all ages, and making sure residents—especially kids—have access to safe, enjoyable spaces. Your leadership would focus on strategic planning, budgeting, and advocating for community needs.
I plan to prioritize maintenance and improvements by maximizing the current budget, seeking grants, and forming partnerships with local businesses and organizations. The Park District is currently on the Do Not Pay list and he Village has refused to turn over the other parks costing another 650k shortfall in the budget. I will push for financial transparency, work to secure the full funding owed, and explore cost-effective solutions to enhance facilities while ensuring our community gets the parks and programs it deserves.
I will stay actively engaged with the community by attending local events, hosting listening sessions, and speaking directly with residents, parents, and park users. I’ll also use social media, surveys, and community forums to gather feedback. It’s important that everyone has a voice in shaping our park district, and I’m committed to making sure their concerns and ideas are heard and acted upon.
To ensure transparency and accountability, Park Board Commissioners should keep the community informed by regularly sharing updates through meetings, newsletters, and social media. Financial transparency is key, so budgets and spending reports should be easily accessible, with audits in place to track how funds are used. Engaging with residents is just as important, whether through town halls, surveys, or open forums where their voices can be heard. Ethical leadership is essential, with policies in place to prevent conflicts of interest and ensure responsible decision-making. Collaboration with the Village and other stakeholders is also necessary to secure proper funding and make sure park resources are being used effectively.
I believe the Park District should remain independent. Keeping it separate ensures that every dollar goes directly toward improving our parks and recreation programs, rather than getting lost in the Village’s general budget. With its own leadership and dedicated planning, the Park District can stay focused on what matters most—creating and maintaining great spaces for our community to enjoy.
If it were absorbed into the Village, there’s a real concern that parks and recreation could take a backseat to other priorities. We’ve already seen how funding issues can impact our parks, and without independence, there’s no guarantee that the money meant for them would actually be used to improve them.
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