Elmhurst Park District honored as Illinois Distinguished Accredited Agency

  • Distinguished Agency Accreditation

Last month in front of peers from park districts across the state, Elmhurst Park Board President Vince Spaeth and Executive Director Jim Rogers accepted the Distinguished Accreditation award, an incredible honor in the field of parks and recreation.

The award is administered by the Illinois Association of Park Districts and the Illinois Park and Recreation Association. The two statewide associations administer the Illinois Distinguished Accreditation program with the goal of improving the delivery of park and recreation services to Illinois residents.

“The District has been remarkable in exercising best business practices and industry standards as well as focusing on customers and the community at large,” said Board President Spaeth, “The Distinguished Agency Accreditation recognizes everything the District’s Board and staff does to run a great park district; it is a great achievement.”

Park and recreation agencies undergo a detailed process of application and evaluation to ensure they’ve met state guidelines to provide exceptional park and recreation services to their community. A joint accreditation committee reviews general management procedures, finance and business operations, personnel, recreation services, legal documentation and other materials including mission statements, goals and safety manuals.

“This program gives recognition to park and recreation agencies that go above and beyond in dedicating themselves to offering quality programs and services designed to fulfill their community’s needs,” said Debbie Trueblood, IPRA Executive Director.