Geneva Park District Fall 2020 Program Guide Fall 2020 | Page 5

President ‘s Message
A Look Back - Fiscal Year Ending April 30, 2020
As I reflect over this past year of Park District operations, it is with great pride that I report
many of our accomplishments. It is with mixed feelings (sadness, compassion, especially
gratitude and pride) that I reflect on how the year ended.
Our staff embraced the challenge of the pandemic with professionalism, innovation and
enthusiasm. Their plans and back up plans to move forward safely while offering fun
activities to our patrons are incredible.
The year began with our District working together to develop our mission, vision and
values. These core values guide the direction and decision making of the board, staff and
leadership team.
Our seven core values include: Customer Commitment, Responsible Leadership, Fiscal Responsibility, Safety,
Community Collaboration, Innovation, Stewardship & Sustainability. Descriptions of our values can be found on page 4.
What We Achieved - Accomplishments
As it relates to Customer Commitment:
• Our District improved pool survey results, introduced
drop in fitness classes, increased the mobile experience
for web access, and hosted numerous public meetings
for input on our parks.
As it relates to Fiscal Responsibility:
• Realized an 11% savings on our utilities after switching
over to LED lighting, received the Government Finance
Officers Association’s Certificate of Achievement for
Excellence in Financial Reporting, and received grant
funding of $400,000 for our Peck Farm North Trail
Project.
As it relates to Safety:
• Our staff completed trainings including chainsaw
safety, proper pesticide application, prescribed burn,
and plowing and ice control.
As it relates to Community Collaboration:
• Our District continued its successful partnership
with the School District to provide after school care,
collaborated with the Library on the development of
Library Park at the new Library site, and collaborated
with the Natural Resource committee and the Garden
Club to raise $30,000 to reforest Geneva!
As it relates to Innovation:
• These past few months we have been challenged
to innovate in all areas of our operations due to the
pandemic forcing us to redefine and reinvent how we
deliver our services to the public.
As it relates to Stewardship and Sustainability:
• Our District has performed prescribed burns on over
150 acres of Park District property, planted over
200 trees throughout the community, converted all
facilities to LED lighting and transitioned to hand
dryers in all restroom facilities.
Other important milestones this past year include having renovated playgrounds at Bricher and Fourth Street
Parks, and having installed a new playground at Library Park. We have also completed work on the Peck Farm
North Trail, adding over 2.5 miles of trails and natural attractions for all to enjoy!
Finally, I feel blessed to serve this amazing community. I am honored to work with a very talented staff and
committed volunteers and never more than through this most difficult and trying time.
Sincerely,
Susan VanderVeen
Park Board President
Fall 2020 Registration starts August 11
5