Park District of Oak Park

5 www.pdop.org 2020 ANNUAL REPORT The Park District of Oak Park had many achievements in 2020 in spite of the challenges that COVID-19 brought to us. We realigned programs and camps to meet the continuously changing State of Illinois COVID guidelines to ensure the safety and well-being of all of our participants while continuing to offer innovative and exciting programs and events for all residents. Pre-registration was introduced for many of our activities to socially distance groups and adhere to capacity guidelines such as public skate, The Great Pumpkin Smash and Fright at Night. Other activities headed outdoors such as fitness programs, Visits with Santa, and the Winter Greens Market. And still other programs went virtual including Preschool Zoomers, Martial Arts, Conservatory lectures, and many Cheney Mansion 21+ activities. We offered online shopping at the Conservatory plant sales with convenient curbside pickup. We introduced free, DIY activities such as scavenger hunts, Parkopoly, nature bingo and a web page chock full of fun projects to do at home. Our Petite Wedding package was unveiled and well-received. The Park District also assumed responsibility for all rentals at Pleasant Home, introducing an interactive rental website at pleasanthomeop.com. We moved dog park permit applications online and while our in-person customer service locations were closed, we supported our program registrants online throughout the year. We are looking to the future to the time when we can meet the recreation needs of our community in the way you have come to expect. In the meantime, we will continue to be flexible, creative and innovative to ensure you have healthy and safe outlets in which to pursue your recreational interests. A major initiative throughout 2020 was the launch of the design process for the Community Recreation Center. The Park District Board and staff worked with teams from Perkins & Will Architects and Bulley & Andrews Construction Company to develop 90% design drawings utilizing the input collected at three virtual community meetings as well as information collected during the 2016 CRC Feasibility Study. With no new tax dollars used for the facility, the Parks Foundation has been working steadily throughout the year to secure private donations from foundations, corporations and individuals. Currently, approximately 50% of the $18.5 million needed to build this facility has been raised. Look for future updates as we venture into 2021. Awards & Recognition: • Achieved CAPRA reaccreditation from the National Parks and Recreation Association. • Received the GFOA Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the 11th year in a row and the GFOA Certificate of Achievement for the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the 8th year in a row. • Recognized with IAPD's Best of the Best Award for Green Practices for the 5th year in a row. • Executive Director Jan Arnold received the IAPD Professional of the Year Award. • Program Manager Mike Loszack was recognized as the IPRA Young Professional of the Year. Capital Projects • New walking loop, new playground with accessible surface, kick/hit practice wall and game play area introduced at Stevenson Park at the completion of the park renovation project made possible with a $400,000 IL Dept. of Natural Resources OSLAD grant. • Awarded a $400,000 OSLAD grant for the renovation of Rehm Park. • Awarded a $421,500 Illinois Museum Grant for the installation of a geothermal system at Pleasant Home. • Awarded a $192,000 OSLAD grant for the purchase of property adjacent to Carroll Park. • Six fitness stations and intergenerational playground equipment installed at Randolph Park. • One roll hill, swings and steppers installed as part of the Wenonah Park renovation project. • Two new tennis courts constructed at Rehm Park in place of the outdated courts. New Initiatives • Launched the design process for the Community Recreation Center working with Perkins + Will Architects and Bulley & Andrews Construction Company. • New bike repair stations were installed at Scoville, RCRC, Field, Longfellow and Barrie Parks.

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