Park Board Exec to Retire Next Year

Gary F. Balling, who has led the through some of its most challenging times, will retire, effective April 30. The announcement came during Thursday’s park board meeting. A press release about his retirement is attached as a PDF.

During his 12-year tenure, Balling has played a principal role in a system-wide parks and facilities improvement program for the District. He successfully managed a number of significant challenges including the Barrie Park remediation and reconstruction, tight budgets and long-range strategic planning. The park district drew up master plans of all its parks and facilities and has undergone major renovation projects such places as the .

With Balling at the helm, the district most recently purchased the former , 25 Lake St., to be used by either the gymnastics facility or the buildings and grounds operations. A major decision on the future of Ridgeland Common also is being weighed.

Voorhees Associates of Deerfield will conduct a national search to find his replacement.  A new executive director is expected to be named before Balling’s retirement, said park board president Marty Bracco.

According to TribLocal, Bracco called Balling an ideal public servant.

“He obviously led the district with tremendous success in the 12 years he has been here,” he said. “For anyone who is in public service in government, in any body or public board, he is definitely someone to emulate.”