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Click here to view the Winter 2011-2012 Choices program guide.
Bi-Monthly Newsletter For FAB Adults
2011 September/October Issue
2011 July/August Issue
Monthly Newsletter for kids in grades K-5
December 2011
Jan/Feb 2012
Teen Scene
Seasonal Newsletter for grades 6-8.
Fall 2011
Winter 2012
in the news
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Welcome to the H-F Park District’s Media Page! Stop by often to easily locate press releases regarding upcoming park district news, events and programs. You will also find our recent publications and links to news stories about the park district. We welcome story ideas from our residents and visitors. To suggest a story or if you have a media inquiry, please contact:
Brett Rush or Bob Birgel
708-957-0300
RECENT PRESS RELEASES
Financial Award Presented to H-F Park District for 25th Consecutive Year
The Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting has been awarded to the Homewood-Flossmoor Park District for the 25th consecutive year by the Government Finance Officers Association of the U.S. and Canada (GFOA) for its comprehensive annual financial report. The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by the park district and its management. The award was presented to Executive Director Debbie Kopas and Superintendent of Finance & Administration Renae Ross earlier this month.
The park district’s comprehensive annual financial report was judged by an impartial panel to meet the high standards of the program, including demonstrating a constructive spirit of full disclosure to clearly communicate its financial story and motivate potential users and user groups to read the report.
The GFOA is a non-profit, professional association that serves approximately 17,500 government finance professionals with offices in Chicago and Washington, D.C. For more information, call 708-957-0300.
HFPD EARNS ILLINOIS DISTINGUISHED AGENCY ACCREDITATION
Two-time National Gold Medal Award winner — the Homewood-Flossmoor Park District — is now also a three-time Illinois Distinguished Agency, as declared by the Illinois Association of Park Districts (IAPD) and the Illinois Park and Recreation Association (IPRA). The district received the official announcement on Monday, Nov. 23, after successfully completing a comprehensive review on Friday, Nov. 13. The award will be officially presented to the district at the organizations' joint annual conference on Friday, Jan. 29, in Chicago.
"I am extremely proud of the work we do for our community," said Debbie Kopas, the park district's executive director. "This accreditation serves to formally acknowledge the high standards we adhere to as we strive to reach our mission."
Receiving this honor places the Homewood-Flossmoor Park District among the top 10 percent of recreation agencies in the State of Illinois. Only nine other districts have received this award three times. H-F received the award also in 2004 and 1998, as the award is granted for a six-year period.
According to the IAPD, the goal of the program is to improve the delivery of recreation services to the residents of Illinois through a voluntary comprehensive evaluation process. The desired result is to improve the quality of life for Illinois residents and to recognize those agencies that provide this quality service.
"Our community has always been a special place to live, and the programs and services offered by the H-F Park District are a big part of that," said Bob Haderlein, the park district's president of the board of commissioners. "This award recognizes the continued commitment of our staff to provide the quality and value that our residents have grown to expect."
Earning this distinction is not an easy task. The process includes an evaluation of the district based on 169 standards and criteria. Agencies are evaluated on six main categories: general management; finance and business operations; facilities and parks; personnel; recreation services; and legal. H-F Park District staff has been preparing for the accreditation review since January.
"Our staff has put forth a tremendous effort to meet the strict guidelines of the Distinguished Agency accreditation," said Kopas. "I couldn't be more proud."
The Homewood-Flossmoor Park District was formed 40 years ago when the Homewood Park District and Flossmoor Park District joined together to better serve their residents. Today, the district includes 32 parks, 10 facilities and 365 acres of land. Its mission is to improve the quality of life for the residents of the Homewood-Flossmoor Park District community through exceptional recreational opportunities, facilities and parks while practicing environmental stewardship.
In 1991 and 2006, the district also received the National Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management from the National Park and Recreation Association. For more information on the district, call 708-957-0300.
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