Park District still Looking for Input on New Exec Qualities

Still want a say in the qualities the next executive director should have? You still have a few days left to get in your two cents worth.

The park district will take responses to a survey, posted on the district’s website, until the end of the week.

Those comments and input from a recent community forum will be fashioned into a candidate description for a brochure that will advertise the position. The document, which will be the centerpiece of the national search to find a successor for Gary Balling, should be ready for distribution early next month, district officials said.

So far the park district’s gotten a lot of good comments, said park district spokesperson Diane Stanke. Some want to have a person who can handle large-scale efforts, such as the renovations at and Scoville Park, the reconstruction of and the festivities celebrating the district’s 100th anniversary.

In addition, a good candidate ought to be able to keep costs down and within budget, Stanke said. The words personable, flexible and innovative also came to participants’ mind, along with the ability to engage with park district advocacy groups, she added.

Balling, who has helped the park district through many challenges over the past 12 years, announced last month he plans to retire April 30. Voorhees Associates of Deerfield is conducting the search to find the new park district executive director.