FRANKFORT PARK DISTRICT PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 16, 2007

Subject: Illinois Association of Park Districts Awards
the Frankfort Park District and the Village of Frankfort
a First Place for Intergovernmental Cooperation

On Friday, September 14, at the Arrowhead Golf Course in Wheaton, Illinois, the Illinois Association of Park Districts (IAPD) presented the Frankfort Park District and their nominee, the Village of Frankfort, with a first place Intergovernmental Cooperation Award for their partnership projects at the IAPD “Best of the Best” awards gala. “The Intergovernmental Cooperation Award recognizes an exemplary intergovernmental agreement that creates an efficient synergy resulting in savings for taxpayers and brings new benefits to residents of the community,” said Dr. Ted Flickinger, President of the IAPD.

Accepting the award were Frankfort Park District Board President Tom Barz, Frankfort Park District Executive Director Jeff Boubelik and Frankfort Village Trustee Cindy Heath. “We are thrilled that Cindy (Heath) could join us on behalf of the Village and celebrate this milestone in Park and Village history,” said Boubelik. “We’ve come so far so quickly. There were many nominees for this award, so we feel very honored that the Illinois Association of Park Districts recognized our joint efforts in this way.”

“When two government agencies work together like this, it can only mean more opportunities and additional benefits for the community,” Barz added. “While Cindy (Heath) was the one Village representative at the dinner, this award is a tribute to the entire Frankfort Village Board and staff who have facilitated our partnership projects over the past few years. We really appreciate their continued efforts to enhance park and recreation opportunities in the Village, and we’re proud to be part of this first place team.”

Trustee Heath echoed these sentiments saying, "Hearing the awards presenter describe how the Village and Park District have partnered from the east side of town at Commissioners Park through to the west side at Jackson Creek Park made me realize how proud I am to be from Frankfort."

The award itself is a hand carved statue of Illinois’ state bird, the cardinal, by Illinois artist Nathan Bennet. The cardinal will make a permanent nest at the Frankfort Village Hall as a symbol of the Park and Village cooperation. Park projects that were highlighted in the award application include Jackson Creek Park, Main Park and Commissioners Park. These three flagship parks all feature permanent washroom facilities, as well as numerous recreational amenities for community residents, and all projects were enhanced dramatically because of key intergovernmental agreements between the Frankfort Park District and the Village of Frankfort.

For more information on the award, please contact Executive Director Jeff Boubelik at 815-469-9400.