Dear Wood Dale Park District Residents;
As the weather turns cooler and we put the final touches on 2021, I’d like to take a moment to reflect on the years of 2020 and 2021. There were challenges that were put before all of us during this unprecedented time, but the Wood Dale Park District made it our priority to be agile; to be able to adapt to the ever-changing landscape, and most importantly, to continue to adhere to our mission…to serve you.
We remained stable:
- Maintained cash reserves without laying off full-time staff
- Transferred staff from areas that were shutdown to help with the surge of interest in golf
- Furloughed over 70 staff, but were able to call most of them back as we reopened
We stayed in touch:
- Offered free online programming when the shutdown occurred
- Created one of the first Virtual Program Guides in the nation to provide online programming for all ages when we couldn’t see you in person, sponsored by Itasca Bank & Trust
- Launched a new website design at www.wdparks.org
We partnered:
- Received a financial gift from the City of Wood Dale for the renovation of White Oaks Park
- Offered a COVID-compliant Drive-In Movie funded by Wood Dale/Elk Grove Bank & Trust
- Cooperated with School District #7 to provide full-time childcare for students, grades K-5, during remote learning
- Collaborated with Fenton High School to offer mock interviews for students and served as an internship site for a student
- Became the administrative agency for the Wood Dale Senior Club
- Supported the Library with use of space during their renovation and COVID-19 compliance consultation
- Received support from the Fire Protection District with park vehicle decontamination
We were recognized:
- Awarded an Open Space Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) grant for the second phase of development for White Oaks Park
- Received the 2020 Illinois Park and Recreation Association Outstanding Facility Award for The Woodlands at White Oaks Park
- A guard at The Beach Waterpark received the coveted “Golden Guard” designation, one given to less than 1% of the lifeguards evaluated by our aquatic risk management company
We created new places to play:
- Completion of White Oaks Park trail, exercise equipment, fire pit, scout camping, wetland access and improvement of the forest environment
- Took over the ownership of TopGolf, transforming the facility to 390 Golf Experience to be opened in late 2021
- Successfully completed an exchange of Mohawk Park for land adjacent to the Recreation Complex for the development of a new community-centered park
Lastly, we mourned:
- We lost two members of the Wood Dale Park District family; Sue Turco, beloved fitness instructor and community member and Maureen Mannion, longtime front desk employee at the Recreation Complex. Their contributions over the years have helped to form who we are and for that we are grateful.
It was a year of highs and lows, but one thing never waivered, and that is our desire to provide you with quality parks and recreation services.We thank you for that opportunity.
