News

Board Announces New Executive Director

Board Announces New Executive Director

The Park Ridge Park District Board of Commissioners is excited to announce John Shea, Jr. as its new incoming Executive Director of the Park District. This appointment comes as the District prepares for the retirement of their current Executive Director, Gayle Mountcastle, who is embarking on her well-earned retirement starting in May.

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Executive Director Search

Executive Director Search

The Park Ridge Park District Board of Commissioners is seeking to hire a forward-thinking Executive Director with a proven record of being a collaborative and innovative leader who can combine vision, strategy, and effective governance in the oversight of the agency. The Park Board has selected GovHR USA to lead the recruitment and selection efforts for the Park District’s next Executive Director.

All applications must be directed to GovHR. Applicants submit a résumé, cover letter, and contact information for five professional references by January 8, 2024 to the attention of GovHR USA Steve Scholten or Chuck Balling, Vice Presidents, and Executive Recruiters, GovHR USA. TEL: 847-380-3240 ext. 185 or ext. 130.

For more information about the position:

VIEW THE JOB POST

VIEW JOB BROCHURE  

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Executive Director Mountcastle Announces Retirement

Executive Director Mountcastle Announces Retirement

It is with mixed emotions that the Park Ridge Park District announces the retirement of its Executive Director, Gayle Mountcastle, after 39 years in the parks and recreation industry. Gayle informed the Board she will retire May 17, 2024 to enjoy more time with family and friends, and to continue to enjoy life.

At the time of her retirement, Gayle will have led the District as its top executive for the past 13 years. Gayle has spent almost half of her career at the Park Ridge District, previously serving Park Ridge for six years as the Superintendent of Recreation. Prior to joining our District, Gayle was the Superintendent of Recreation at both the Des Plaines and Streamwood Park Districts, as well as starting her professional career at the Skokie Park District. 

At last night’s Board Meeting, the Park Board approved a proposal with GovHR USA for recruitment and selection of the Park District’s next Executive Director. Job post is available by clicking here. A brochure about the position is available by clicking here

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Candidate Packets for the April 4, 2023 Consolidated Election Now Available

Candidate Packets for the April 4, 2023 Consolidated Election Now Available

Candidate Packets are now available for persons who wish to run for office of Park Board Commissioner in the April 4, 2023 Consolidated Election.  The attached Packet is provided as a courtesy, candidates are not required or obligated to use the information provided, and should seek the advice and direction of their own personal attorney.  The Park Ridge Park District is unable to provide any legal advice.

DOWNLOAD PACKET

CONSOLIDATED ELECTION FILING PERIOD

Please visit the Illinois State Board of Elections website to obtain a 2023 Candidate’s Guide at: https://www.elections.il.gov/

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Wildwood Nature Center Awarded $750,000 State Museum Grant

Wildwood Nature Center Awarded $750,000 State Museum Grant

The Park Ridge Park District is pleased to announce that the Wildwood Nature Center has been awarded a $750,000 Illinois Public Museum Capital Grant to renovate the property at 531 Forestview that the District acquired at the end of 2020. The property is located adjacent to the Wildwood Nature Center at Maine Park, and will be renovated to function as a visitors’ center for the Wildwood Nature Center.

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Park District Celebrates Restoration of Historic Gate

Park District Celebrates Restoration of Historic Gate

On Friday, August 20, Park Ridge Park District staff and board members gathered together with the Paul Adlaf from the Park Ridge History Center and Illinois State Senator Laura Murphy to celebrate the restoration of the historic Sunny Playground Gate located in front of Wohlers Hall at Prospect Park.

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2021 Fireworks Notice

2021 Fireworks Notice

The annual fireworks celebration is a collaborative effort among the City of Park Ridge, Park Ridge Park District, and School District 207. Together the decision has been made to cancel the 2021 third of July Fireworks Celebration traditionally held at Maine East High School.

The fireworks celebration requires a number of contracted services, as well as permits, to be secured months in advance of the event. The committee explored modifications to the event to adhere to possible mitigations, including reservations for designated spots and a drive-in event. However, it was determined, based on the historically large crowd, not only at the High School but also in the surrounding areas, controlling the attendance in any alternative format would not be possible. Due to the current mitigations imposed by the pandemic and the uncertainty whether or not the mitigations would be lifted at the time of the event, the difficult decision has been made to cancel the event for the third of July. All those involved in the planning share the community’s disappointment of this decision. We were hopeful that this holiday tradition would be possible, but the decision needed to be made with the information known at this time.

The Park District will work with our partner organizations to explore the opportunity to offer a fireworks celebration later in 2021 should circumstances allow.

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Park Ridge Park District receives the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting

Park Ridge Park District receives the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting

The Park Ridge Park District has received the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting by Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) for its comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR) for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019. This is the 38th consecutive year the Park District has received the award! The award is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting. Its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by the Park District and its management. The report has been judged by an impartial panel to meet the high standards of the program, which includes demonstrating a constructive "spirit of full disclosure" to clearly communicate its financial story and motivate potential users and user groups to read the report.

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