10/24 Hoffman Estates Park District and School District 54 win prestigious Intergovernmental Cooperation Award
10/24/24
Hoffman Estates, IL – The Hoffman Estates Park District (HEParks) is proud to announce its joint recognition, along with Schaumburg School District 54, as winners of the Intergovernmental Cooperation Award by the Illinois Association of Park Districts (IAPD). This honor celebrates the successful partnership between the two governmental entities to improve safety and accessibility at Lincoln Prairie School through the transfer of a portion of Sycamore Park.
The collaborative project addressed traffic congestion and safety concerns during student drop-off and pickup times by creating a safer bus route and additional parking spaces. In exchange for the land, the school district reimbursed HEParks $350,000, which will be reinvested into the park district by relocating and upgrading the park’s playground.
“We are excited to see this partnership recognized,” said Craig Talsma, executive director of HEParks. “This award highlights how working together can lead to innovative solutions that benefit the entire community.”
HEParks and School District 54 were formally recognized last week at the IAPD Best of the Best Awards Gala, which took place at the Wheeling Park District’s Chevy Chase Country Club.
About Illinois Association of Park Districts
Established in 1928, the Illinois Association of Park Districts serves over 370 park, recreation, and conservation agencies throughout the state. IAPD assists their members in providing the best parks, facilities and programs for the citizens they serve. For more information about IAPD, its board, and mission, please visit the IAPD website at ilparks.org.
Pictured from left to right: Chairman of the IAPD Board of Trustees, Gary Gillis; HEParks Executive Director, Craig Talsma; Assistant Superintendent of Business Operations (School District 54), Steve Miller; HEParks Commissioner Pat McGinn; President of the HEParks Board of Commissioners, Rajkumari Chhatwani; Assistant Secretary of the HEParks Board of Commissioners, Linda Dressler; Treasurer of the HEParks Board of Commissioners, Robert Kaplan; and HEParks Deputy Director, Brian Bechtold
