Issue link: https://pdop.uberflip.com/i/854524
3 www.pdop.org Dear Residents, e Park District of Oak Park values innovation and our efforts were recognized this spring with the J. Robert Havlick Award for Innovation in Local Government for our "Launch Pad: Getting Good Ideas Off the Ground" program by the Alliance for Innovation. e Launchpad program is an online portal where staff posts their ideas, comment on other ideas and makes plans to implement their ideas based on other employee feedback. Projects that are a result of the Launchpad program include the installation of Soofa charging stations and cisterns in various parks. New signage was installed at Barrie Park for those who use the sled hill stairs for exercise. e "Now Hiring" magnets on District vehicles were also a Launchpad idea as well as this spring's maple syrup-making class at Austin Gardens. Over 30 ideas have been implemented in the two years since Launchpad's inception. 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 for our efforts to try new methods and ideas, adapting services according to trends and continually improving processes to better our organization and provide the highest quality programs and services to our community. Watch the award video on You Tube by searching for Park District of Oak Park Innovation Award Video. Community Recreation Center Collaboration At press time, the Park District was finalizing a Memorandum of Understanding with OPRF High School District 200 and the River Forest Park District to explore the construction of a Community Recreation Center. is collaboration is the result of a feasibility study conducted by the Park District in 2016 which confirmed community support for this type of facility. During the study, the community emphasized the need for the Park District to collaborate with other governmental entities and community organizations on a community recreation center. is collaboration is also the result of D200's need to address the replacement of their aging pools and the need expressed by the River Forest community for quality, indoor recreation facilities. Amenities being considered for the community recreation center include an indoor pool, gymnasium, walking track, fitness and meeting spaces and more. Immediately following the completion of the 2016 feasibility study, the Park District completed a pro forma study which concluded a community recreation center, with specific recreation components included, could be financially self-sustaining. Funding models for the construction of the center are currently being explored. ree locations have been tentatively identified and are being examined. e Park District would own and operate the center that would provide quality, indoor recreation and community space for Oak Park and River Forest residents of all ages as well as D200 athletes during aerschool hours. Please visit the Park District's website at pdop.org for updates on this community collaboration. See you in the parks, Paul Aeschleman, President Park District of Oak Park Board of Commissioners 3 Board of Park District Commissioners Regular Park Board Meetings are generally held on the third ursday of each month and the Committee of the Whole (COW) Meetings are generally held on the first ursday of the month. All meetings are held at 7:30P at the John L. Hedges Administrative Center, 218 Madison Street, Oak Park. Public comment is welcome at these meeting. ere is no COW meeting in August. Kathleen Porreca Commissioner Kathleen.Porreca@pdop.org Paul Aeschleman President Paul.Aeschleman@pdop.org Victor Guarino Vice-President Victor.Guarino@pdop.org Sandy Lentz Secretary Sandy.Lentz@pdop.org David Wick Treasurer David.Wick@pdop.org 3 Executive Director Jan Arnold holding the J. Robert Havlick Award for Innovation in Local Government.