Buffalo Grove Park District Profile
The Buffalo Grove Park District is a Distinguished Leisure Service Agency, accredited in 1995 by the Joint Distinguished Park and Recreation Agency Committee of the Illinois Park and Recreation Association and Illinois Association of Park Districts.
The Buffalo Grove Park District was reaccredited in 2001.
Established
The district was organized September 16, 1969 as a special purpose unit of government as provided by the Illinois Park District Code.
Governance
An elected Board of Park Commissioners consisting of five members constitutes the governing body of the park district. Commissioners are elected to serve 4-year terms. Commissioners serve without compensation.
*Richard Drazner, President
*Larry Reiner, Vice President
*Martha Weiss, Treasurer
*Scott Jacobson, Commissioner
*Jack Schmerer, Commissioner
Officers
Commissioners elect from among themselves a President, Vice President, Treasurer, and other officers as may be deemed necessary by the Board. These officers of the Board are normally selected at the May annual meeting or as soon thereafter as possible. Each officer holds office until the next annual meeting, or until his successor is chosen.
Appointed Officials
The Board appoints a Secretary, Treasurer, Auditor, Attorney, Executive Director, and determines their duties and term of appointment at the May annual meeting.
Boundaries
The boundaries of the park district are 98% contiguous with those of the Village of Buffalo Grove except in the southern and western parts of the district which includes areas from the Village of Arlington Heights and Village of Wheeling. At present, total land area of the park district are approximately 9.04 square miles.
Population
Park district population is approximately 43,136.
Real Estate
Equalized assessed value of real estate for
2005 is $1,594,387,941.
Tax Rate
2005 tax rate in Cook County is .435 and
.375 in Lake County.
Fiscal Year Budget
The operating and capital budget for fiscal year
2006-2007 is $19,776,034.
The fiscal year of the park district begins on May 1 and concludes on April 30.
Bond Rating
Moody’s Investors Service, New York, rated park district General Obligations Bonds Aa3 in the fall of
2006.
Park Resources
The park district maintains fifty park sites totaling 418.22 acres of land. Facilities include the Raupp Memorial Museum, Alcott Community Center, Emmerich Park Recreation Building and Maintenance Facility, Indoor Golf Learning Center, Aquadome Indoor Pool, and Willow Stream Outdoor Pool. In September, 2000, the park district and Northwest Community Healthcare entered into a collaborative agreement, opening a 70,000 square foot fitness center.
Programs and Services
The district provides a full range of activities and services year round. Recreation programs include performing arts, Clubhouse - a before and after school care program, summer day camps, preschools, athletic programs such as soccer, basketball and softball, learn to swim programs, senior activities and trips, special interest classes for youth and adults, and special events like Lawn Chair Lyrics, Tots in the Parks and Huck Finn Fishing Derby. Leisure services are provided for special needs residents through the Northwest Special Recreation Association.
Staffing
Forty-four full-time staff is employed and supported with more than 300 part-time and 400 seasonal staff.
Affiliations
*National Parks and Recreation Association
*Illinois Association of Park Districts
*Suburban Parks and Recreation Association
*Buffalo Grove Chamber of Commerce
Supportive Organizations
The Buffalo Grove Friends of the Parks Foundation was founded in 1994 to support the services of the park district. Their mission
"For the physical and recreational well-being of the residents of the Buffalo Grove Park District, the Friends of the Parks Foundation is dedicated to supporting the district in the development and enhancement of its programs, services, facilities and planning."
The Friends of the Parks Foundation Board of Directors is:
John Green, President
Don Hedlund, Vice President
Jane Dibbern, Treasurer
Michael Rylko, Secretary
Lynne Schneider
Harry Shaw
Meetings are held the second Thursday of each month starting at 8:00 a.m. at the Alcott Center.
Awards and Recognition
- Certification of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for fiscal year 1998, 1999,
2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 & 2005.
- Accredited by the Park District Risk Management Association for its Loss Control Program
- Outstanding Transportation Award for Safety Performance presented by the Illinois Safety Council 1999, 1998, 1991
- Outstanding Safety & Health Award for Safety Performance presented by the Illinois Safety Council 1998, 1992, 1991
- Accredited in 1995 as a Certified Leisure Agency; status reviewed in 2001. Accredited until next review in
2007.
- Northwest Suburban Regional Action Planning Project, First Place Youth Category in 1994 (Governor’s Hometown Award)
- Award of Merit for Lighting Project (1990) for walk paths at Willow Stream Park
Park District Staff – Key Contact Information
*Executive Director, Mike Rylko (847-850-2110)
*Superintendent of Parks, Dale Ducommun (847-459-2311)
*Director of Recreation & Facilities, Dan Schimmel (847-850-2109)
*Public Relations & Marketing Manager, Mike Terson (847-850-2116)
*Superintendent of Recreation, Kim Cashmore (847-850-2108)
*Superintendent of Recreation, Ryan Risinger (847-850-2122)
*Business Manager, John Short (847-850-2114)
*Risk Manager, Dave Knarr (847-850-2115)
Agency Contact Information
Administration/Registration
Alcott Center
530 Bernard Drive
Phone: (847) 850-2100
Fax: (847) 459-0744
Parks Division/Emmerich Park
150 Raupp Blvd.
Phone: (847) 459-2311
Fax: (847) 459-5789
E-mail Address
Park_District@bgpkr.org
Web Site Address
www.bgparkdistrict.org
Buffalo Grove Park District Mission Statement
The Buffalo Grove Park District Board of Commissioners and staff are committed to meeting the recreational needs and enriching the quality of life of all the residents of our park district. We are dedicated to upholding the values of service, excellence and integrity in the development of our parks, recreation programs and facilities and will continually strive to balance development with the preservation of open space.
Updated: 5/9/05
