PARKS & RECREATION BOARD 2019/11/19 MinutesThe City of Lake Forest
Parks and Recreation Board
Meeting Minutes
November 19, 2019
I. Call to Order
The Parks and Recreation Board Meeting was called to order by Chairman Paul Best at 6:30p.m. The
following were present:
Board Members: Mr. Paul Best
Mr. Steve Reimer
Mr. Jared Rhoads
Ms. Melanie Walsh
Ms. Nancy Duffy
Mr. Will Elliott, Student
Staff: Ms. Sally Swarthout, Director of Parks and Recreation
Mr. Joe Mobile, Superintendent of Recreation
Mr. Chuck Myers, Superintendent of Parks, Forestry & Special Facilities
Mr. Aaron Dalzot, Lakefront Manager
Mr. Jason Busdeker, Facility Manager
Ms. Dani Spann, Administrative Assistant
Special Guests: Mr. Sean Collins, Lake County Health Department
II. Approval of Minutes
Meeting minutes of the October 15, 2019 Park & Recreation Board Meeting were presented and
approved.
Board member Duffy motioned for approval of the minutes and Board member Reimer seconded.
The minutes were then unanimously approved.
III. Opportunities for the Public to Address the Board on Items not listed on the Agenda
No comments
IV. GO Lake Forest Presentation
Jason Busdeker introduced Sean Collins from the Lake County Health Department. Mr. Collins gave a
short history of the GO Lake County walking initiative and went over the Mission Statement. It
started in Gurnee, IL as GO Gurnee in 2016. They had 350 participants in their first event. In 2017
Lake County had a startup program. In the first year they went from 3 to 18 participating
communities with 24 in 2019. A Start Up Guide is given to each community wanting to participate.
Since 2017 there have been over 5,793 total participants throughout the communities. Go
Waukegan has held night glow walks with at least 100 people in attendance at each walk.
Mr. Collins talked about the website for GO Lake County at www.GOLakeCounty.org. and includes
an interactive map to find any walk in any community.
2019 GO Celebration at Independence Grove was held on September 28th to celebrate all
participants. GO Lake County helps work with communities through the business and industry, the
parks, recreation and green spaces, in addition to educational institutions. Currently there are not
any other counties in Illinois participating.
Chairman Best talked about the possibility of connecting with running/walking clubs in the
communities. Mr. Collins answered they work with the Forest Preserve and North Shore health
systems to encourage patients to participate in the walks.
Program Manager, Jason Busdeker and Program Manager, Aaron Dalzot run the GO Lake Forest
walks in the community. The kickoff event was in May of 2018 and have hosted 9 walks since May of
2018. Mr. Dalzot talked about the various walks held along with the various businesses that have
teamed up. So far there have been seven walk events held in 2019. The Fire Truck Demo and Walk
was a very popular one with 79 participants. The Lake Forest Hospital Walk had the largest number
of participants at 155.
Mr. Busdeker pointed out the majority of the walks are themed and try to tie in the community with
the walk. The next walk is scheduled for December 18th and will be a Holiday Lights Stroll. The next
years kick off will be a Family Bike Ride scheduled for May 2, 2020. Board member Duffy talked
about the possibility of tying in Market Square with the completed Veterans Park.
V. Stirling Hall Art Center Tour
Joe gave a brief overview of the Stirling Hall Art Center and talked about the success of the Center
and how it has touched and helped the community. He went over some of the art events held at the
Center and gave a tour of the various classrooms and programs offered.
VI. Comments by Director
Superintendent Joe Mobile talked about the Parks and Recreation Department’s new website that
went live. The website is easily navigated with all the information in a few clicks. Mr. Mobile gave a
demonstration of the website and went over all the amenities and tabs.
Director Swarthout talked about the following events coming up in November and December.
Lake Forest Tree Lighting Ceremony- November 29th at Market Square
Stirling Hall Holiday Art Sale- December 6th and 7th at Stirling Hall
Dinner with Santa- December 7th and 8th at Northcroft Park Pavilion
Lake Forest Dance Academy Winter Dance Spectacular- December 14th at 4pm at Lake
Forest Recreation Center Gym
Santa Visits- December 14th and 24th
Santa Calling- December 18th
GO Lake Forest Holiday Lights Stroll- December 18th at 5pm at Market Square
VII. Comments by Chairman
VIII. Comments by Board Members
Comments were made on how great the new website looks. Board members commented on how
great the tour was of the Stirling Hall Arts Center.
IX. Other Comments
X. Adjournment
Board member Walsh motioned for adjournment and Board member Reimer seconded.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:52p.m.
Respectfully Submitted
Dani Spann
Administrative Assistant