The Parks and Planning Department is responsible for providing leisure opportunities to the community through the acquisition, design, development, maintenance, and renovation of attractive and functional parks, facilities, and open space. My department covers park areas totaling 715 acres of all size classifications, including community parks, neighborhood parks, play lots, special use parks, and connector parkways. We also maintain 24 buildings, 5 outdoor swimming pools, 1 indoor swim center, 45 ball diamonds, 7 soccer fields, 52 outdoor tennis courts, 42 playgrounds, 7 sand volleyball courts, and 30 basketball courts. Our vehicle fleet of over 43 licensed vehicles and 80 to 90 major pieces of fleet equipment is also under my direction. My amazing full-time staff of 45, and part-time staff of 25, constitutes the personnel of this department. Parks and Planning is involved with new park construction and park renovation work from the planning stage through construction and inspection. We monitor and manage an annual budget of $4.3 million to maintain the parks and facilities throughout Arlington Heights. As the Director of Parks and Planning, my responsibilities include carrying out Park Board policies, maintaining close relations with the community and sister agencies, overseeing operations of the department, and working with other departments and staff in a cooperative effort to maximize the efficiency of all departments.

The Parks and Planning Department at the Elk Grove Park District consists of three divisions, including Facility Maintenance, Grounds Maintenance, and Planning Divisions. The Divisions are responsible for the maintenance and improvements of park areas totaling 474 acres, 42 parks, 14 buildings/facilities, 2 aquatic facilities with 7 bodies of water, 35 playgrounds, 29 soccer/football fields, 30 baseball/softball fields, 20 basketball courts, 2 inline rinks, 18 tennis courts, a children’s theme park, and an indoor skate park, along with numerous other park and facility amenities. A vehicle fleet of over 32 licensed vehicles and 55 major pieces of fleet equipment is also under the direction of this Department. The Parks & Planning Department currently consists of 24 full time staff and 35 part-time /seasonal staff.As the Department Director, my responsibilities include planning, preparing and administering the agency capital improvement budget ($1.5M) and department operating budget ($2.6M). The was responsible for large Capital Improvement Projects as the lead Agency representative, including the following projects:Preschool Noise Abatement ($1.59M, 2004)Rainbow Falls Water Park ($11.0M, 2006)Fox Run Golf Links Clubhouse Renovation ($600K, 2007)Senior Center HVAC ($950K, 2008)Grounds Maintenance Facility ($5.0M, 2010)Pavilion Rooftop Unit Replacements ($580K, 2011)Fox Run Golf Links Course Improvements ($2.0M, 2012)Pavilion Parking Lot ($1.4M, 2012)Pavilion Aquatics Renovation ($6.0M, 2013)Our Department secured grant money totaling over $1.8M, including two (2) IDNR OSLAD Grants and one (1) FAA Noise Abatement Grant. Responsibilities also included managing contract administration, including selection and hiring of consultants, monitoring of work progress, and assuring compliance with governmental rules and regulations.