Schaumburg Park District and its sound business practices, outstanding programs, public accountability and quality facilities were recognized with accreditation in a joint program sponsored by the Illinois Association of Park Districts (IAPD) and the Illinois Parks and Recreation Association (IPRA) in 2009, 2015 and 2021.
Accreditation is the culmination of a comprehensive evaluation that reviews adherence to best practices within the profession, and compliance to Illinois laws governing park district administration. Operational categories examined include general management, finance and business operations, facilities and parks, personnel, recreation services and legal. The evaluation team also cited Schaumburg for particular excellence in the following three areas:
The distinguished park and recreation accreditation program began with recognition of three park districts in 1993. More than 40 of Illinois’ 400+ park districts have, to date, been accredited.
Schaumburg Park District has joined the ranks of elite park and recreation agencies across the country by earning recognition through the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA) and the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA). This distinguished accomplishment was awarded during the 2018 NRPA Annual Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana.
CAPRA accreditation is a measure of an agency’s overall quality of operation, management and service to the community. This mark of distinction indicates that an agency has met rigorous standards related to the management and administration of lands, facilities, resources, programs, safety and services.
As part of the accreditation process, Schaumburg Park District had to demonstrate compliance with 151 recognized standards and document all policies and procedures. Often the process helps identify efficiencies and heighten areas of accountability, all of which translate into higher quality service and operation to benefit the community.
The process for accreditation involves a formal application, self-assessments, a site visit by a team of trained visitors that results in a written report, and a hearing with the commission to grant accreditation. Once accredited, the agency must uphold the standards by submitting an annual report and is reviewed again in five years.
The Commission is comprised of representatives from NRPA, the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration, the National Association of County Park and Recreation Officials, the International City/County Management Association, the Academy for Leisure Sciences, the Armed Forces Recreation Network and the Council of State Executive Directors.
Schaumburg Park District has won the prestigious Gold Medal Award for excellence in parks and recreation administration and management three times (1988, 1995, 2004).
The award is sponsored by the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration (AAPRA) and the National Recreation and Parks Association (NRPA). Selection of the winners is based on service, diversity, development and future planning, degree of participant involvement and citizen support.
The National Gold Medals are presented annually in five population classes. Entries are solicited from 4,800 communities and 7,000 park and recreation administrators from across the nation.
Schaumburg Park District earned 2009 National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) Excellence in Aquatics Award (Class IV) at the NRPA Congress & Exposition. It is the third time the Park District has been awarded the honor.
Entries are judged on implementation of mission statement, challenges faced in the past five year period, documentation of fully-trained aquatic staff, promotion of water safety, efforts in prevention of recreational water illness, description of full and equal access to facilities and programs, and description of professional involvement of the aquatic staff at the local, state, regional and national levels.
The Schaumburg Park District mission as it relates to aquatics includes fulfilling the aquatic needs of its immediate and regional constituents through safe and enriching programs at quality facilities. Aquatic needs are identified through community feedback and addressed through the timely addition of programs and facility renovations.
The Illinois Association of Park District's prestigious Best of the Best Awards Gala, hosted on Oct. 20 at the Chevy Chase Country Club in Wheeling, served as a platform to celebrate exceptional achievements within the park district community. Schaumburg Park District Commissioners David Johnson and Robert Schmidt were recognized for their unparalleled contributions and unwavering commitment to parks and recreation, marking 50 and 20 years of service, respectively.
David Johnson, an advocate for nature and conservation, has exemplified his dedication through 50 years of exceptional service to Schaumburg Park District. His legacy stands tall, with some of the most memorable achievements including the acquisition of land that later became the renowned 135-acre Spring Valley Nature Center and Heritage Farm. Johnson cherishes the memory of staff orchestrating the relocation of the farm’s substantial barn to its current site—a remarkable endeavor symbolizing community unity, completed board by board and peg by peg.
Robert Schmidt, celebrated for his commendable 20 years of service, stands as one of Schaumburg's longest-serving commissioners. His visionary leadership has been vital to the District's success in delivering a multitude of innovative programs and events, exceptional recreational facilities, and more than 100beautiful parks to the community.
Under Johnson and Schmidt’s guidance, the District received Distinguished Accredited Agency status three times, in 2010, 2016 and 2022.
The recognition of these two outstanding commissioners at the Best of the Best Awards Gala stands as a testament to their extraordinary commitment and invaluable contributions, marking a profound impact on Schaumburg Park District's enduring success.