Park District Volunteer Citizen Committees
The mission of the Park District of Oak Park is to provide quality parks and recreation experiences to the residents of Oak Park, in partnership with the community. The Park District values community input and involvement and has organized four citizen-lead volunteer committees to work with the Park Board of Commissioners and staff for the betterment of the District and our community.
If you would like to apply to be a part of one of these committees, please click here for a printable version of the application. Otherwise, to learn more about the responsibilities and functions of a specific committee, click the corresponding link below.
Park District Citizen Committee (PDCC)
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It is the mission of the Park District Citizen Committee to monitor Park District activities with a broad mandate. Originally organized in 2003 to assist in the comprehensive planning process, this Committee oversees the implementation of the Parks and Recreation Comprehensive Plan and Capital Improvement Plan and provides a valuable communication channel between the Park District and the citizens of Oak Park. PDCC members provide an independent perspective on parks and recreation issues affecting the community with each member representing only themselves and not any organization they may belong to. With the help of the PDCC, the Park District is better able to assess community needs and expectations necessary to carry out its mission.
The PDCC is made up of 11 members, 2 alternate members and 2 student representatives. Student representatives must be Oak Park residents and a junior or senior attending an Oak Park high school. They serve a one year term from September through August. The members of the current PDCC are: Ben Ahring, Jan Arnold, Pat Bauhs, Brian Crawford, Nancy Holmes, John Lawson, Julie McCarthy, Dick McKinlay, Michael Nowicki, Kassie Porreca, David Wick, Colleen Gartland, and Marshall Jeffries.
Members of the Park District Citizen Committee must be Oak Park residents. They are appointed each year in September by the Park District Board of Commissioners to serve staggered three year terms. Meetings are held the fourth Monday of every month beginning at 7:30pm. 2011 Meeting Schedule.
If you are interested in serving on the PDCC, please complete the application above and send it along with your letter of interest to Park Board President Marty Bracco, Park District of Oak Park, 218 Madison Street, Oak Park, IL 60302 or c/o dianes@oakparkparks.com.
| Greening Advisory Committee (GAC) |
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The Park District is pleased to announce the establishment of the Greening Advisory Committee (GAC). Originally this volunteer citizens committee was organized in fall 2007 as the Greening Task Force to discuss the environmental issues the Park District was facing and explore measures to be taken to meet citizens' greening interests and maintain the health of the parks. This Task Force developed the Park District’s first comprehensive environmental policy accepted by the Park Board in August 2008.
The Greening Advisory Committee will:
- Implement the PDOP Environmental Policy
- Act as the liaison between the Park District and the community
- Assist the Park Board in identifying and considering sustainability issues and exploring environmental initiatives for biodiversity, tree and park maintenance and green operations
- Help the Park District to determine annual projects
- Establish and maintain the park stewardship program
Greening Advisory Committee members serve staggered 3 year terms with new terms beginning in January. The Committee meets the fourth Monday of every month at 9:15am. If you are interested in serving on the GAC, please send a letter of interest to Park Board President Marty Bracco, Park District of Oak Park, 218 Madison Street, Oak Park, IL 60302 or c/o dianes@oakparkparks.com.
| Art Advisory Committee (AAC) |
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Art Advisory Committee - Call for Artists!
The purpose of the Park District Art Advisory Committee is to enhance the cultural and aesthetic quality of life in Oak Park by integrating art throughout the Park District.
The Art Advisory Committee will:
- Discuss matters related to the fostering and dissemination of art throughout the
Park District.
- Recommend to the Park District Board an annual designation of funds to the Artworks Acquisition and Maintenance Fund for the acquisition of new art, if any, and the repair and maintenance of the existing art collection.
- Maintain a detailed inventory and record of all existing art in the Park District.
- Inspect the condition of existing artworks, at a minimum, on an annual basis.
- Provide public education on existing artworks throughout the Park District.
- Provide expertise in the area of art and knowledge of the fine arts.
- Act as a resource in area related to art and the arts in general.
- Work with the Public Advisory Commission of the Village of Oak Park, the Oak Park Area Arts Council, and other public and private entities and individuals on art related activities.
- Solicit, as well as establish policies and guidelines to facilitate and encourage the
contribution of funds to the Park District Artworks Acquisition and Maintenance
Fund and/or loans of artwork to the Park District.
Greening Advisory Committee members serve staggered 3 year terms with new terms beginning in January. The Committee meets once a month in the evening. If you are interested in serving on the AAC, please send a letter of interest to Park Board President Marty Bracco, Park District of Oak Park, 218 Madison Street, Oak Park, IL 60302 or c/o dianes@oakparkparks.com.
| Senior Advisory Committee (SAC) |
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The Park District’s core values include effective communication and responsiveness to our residents’ needs. When concerns were voiced by participants in our Active Adult programs regarding declining participation levels, communication, decision-making processes, and pricing structure, we responded by organizing an Active Adult Task Force. This volunteer citizen group developed Senior Program Goals & Objectives and recommended the establishment of a Senior Advisory Committee (SAC), whose mission is to provide guidance and recommend direction to the Park District regarding the development and implementation of recreational activities for senior citizens.
The SAC is a volunteer committee made of Oak Park residents who will provide guidance and recommend direction to the Park District of Oak Park regarding the implementation of recreational activities and procedures for senior citizen programs, goals and objectives.
There are a total of seven (7) voting Committee members: three (3) are appointed by the Park Board of Commissioners, one (1) shall be a member of the Park District Citizens Committee and three (3) are elected by the Active Adult Members-at-large. In addition to the seven (7) voting members, the Park District will appoint no more than two (2) non-voting members as representatives. Additionally, there will be one non-voting member who will act as a liaison between the SAC and the Park Board; this member shall be appointed by the Park Board President. The SAC held its first elections in April 2010. Its first meeting will be in May or Jun e of 2010.
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