our mission

GPD works to maximize taxpayer trust, value and benefits through sound financial policies and practices, resulting in financial sustainability, balanced public taxpayer investment, and enduring partnerships. For 17 years, GPD has consistently held Moody’s Aaa bond rating and the Government Finance Officers Association Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting.

Maximizing taxpayer trust is accomplished through sound financial stewardship, with only 50% of funding coming from taxes, one of the lowest tax to non-tax revenues in the state. GPD represents only 7.8% of homeowners’ taxes. Residents rate the overall value of their taxes as favorable (7.3 on a 0–10 scale). Sound revenue management has also increased GPD’s net position by 9.9%.

GPD diversifies and leverages its funding resources and partnerships. Over the last three years, the District utilized over $7 million from donations, grants, and sponsorships to acquire three acres of land, upgrade four miles of trails, build new, inclusive and accessible playgrounds, expand pickleball courts, add new museum exhibits, restore native habitat and improve stormwater management. This past year, the District received $3,675,000 in state grants, including a recent $2.8 million Park and Recreational Facility Construction grant that will be used to renovate our indoor aquatics center.

To control the cost of capital and reduce interest paid on debt while keeping taxes at modest levels, the District uses built-up reserves rather than debt to minimize the impact on the taxpayer. Additionally, the District has repeatedly chosen to keep short debt schedules to reduce interest rates and increase flexibility for future projects. The District chose to repay debt over 13 years instead of 20 years, saving taxpayers $10 million. Almost 51% of GPD’s revenues are non-tax, far above the national average. Glenview is one of only eleven park districts in Illinois with an Aaa bond rating.

We maintain what we have for all. A capital asset replacement program builds up reserves annually based on the useful life of assets. These accumulated funds ($20 million) are then reinvested at the end of the useful life to cover replacement costs. The District averages $4 million annually in capital replacement projects.

GPD protects the environment with wetland, prairie, and woodland restoration and implements and measures efficient energy use. GPD was the first to ban the use of coal tar and supported legislation, now law, for a statewide ban. The Illinois Association of Park Districts recognized GPD for its partnerships developed to protect The Grove, and designating 90-acres as an Illinois Nature Preserve and National Historic Landmark.

GPD converted 7.4 acres to native areas, hosted 24 zero-waste events, and decreased electric and fuel use by over 1% annually. Furthermore, GPD provides education to further historical stewardship. Overall, 98% of community members reported visiting a park or facility within the last year, of which 50% visited The Grove or Historic Wagner Farm. The Grove reported 55,890 program visits, 7,274 tour visits and 35,000 visitors to the Nature Center. Wagner Farm boasted 36,313 program visits, 6,265 tour visits and 69,908 general visits, a 7% increase in three years. These two facilities educate over 1,000 school groups annually.

GPD developed an Urban Forestry Management Plan (UFMP) to provide data-driven solutions, goals, and milestones. GPD is leading in the inventory and diversity of its trees in Illinois. GPD exceeds the “20-10-5” rule, a best urban forestry management practice that states a tree population should ideally have no more than 20% of any single family, 10% of any single genus, and 5% of any single species. “Undesirable” trees decreased annually from 483 to 451, with the District managing over 22,300 trees. GPD planted 835 trees in the last three years, surpassing the plan’s targets.

Guided by Strategic/Comprehensive Plans, our environmental team recommends and implements actions for conservation, energy efficiency, and preservation. Highlights of success across the park district include:

• Only Illinois park district powered by 100% wind-generated electricity.
• Built a solar-powered trailer to charge all battery-operated landscaping tools.
• Converted pathway and parking lot lighting fixtures in parks and facilities to LED and changed court lighting from halogen to LED bulbs.
• Reduced water consumption by 30% by replacing 44 regular flush toilets with dual flush valves; replaced the domestic water booster system with an efficient system to generate 20% energy savings.
• Facilities built/renovated designed using LEED principles and with ComED incentives.
• Replaced 86 wall sconces and 175 can lights with LED lights, saving 9,906 watts annually.
• Ice center changed procedures to eliminate nightly purging of 30 gallons of water.
• Expanded use of propane and electric mowers.
• “No Mow Until Mother’s Day” promotion reduces mowing.

GPD works to establish a work environment that values, invests in, and empowers a high-performing and engaged workforce as guided by our employer of choice philosophy. We have exceeded minimum wage pay, increased leave and benefits for part-time employees, expanded remote work, added holidays, and funded career-path planning.

These efforts have made us the top Park District employer in the state, recognized by IPRA as a Best Workplace Award recipient. Some highlights of our communication and staff engagement efforts include:

• GPD communicates through monthly reports, all-staff meetings, video messaging, weekly email updates and cross-functional teams.
• GPD offers eight employee-led teams (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility [IDEA]; Customer Service; Recognition; Wellness; Safety; Environmental; Strategic Planning; and Fun) that encourage focused thought and collaboration around initiatives guided by the priorities outlined in our strategic plan. The teams, which include over 50% of full-time employees, implement and track initiatives to improve culture, service, and operational excellence. A significant outcome, measured through biannual surveys, is the 88.6% employee satisfaction rate.
• The IDEA Team implemented staff and board training sessions, influenced new employee policies and holidays, developed an “All Are Welcome” campaign, and conducted a diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) employee survey. Results from the survey led to an increase in our tuition reimbursement program and up-front access to the funds.
• The Recognition Team amplified GPD’s Partnership, Excellence, Accomplishment, and Kindness (PEAK) recognition program. Employees who earn recognition in the four PEAK categories are eligible for a $500 bonus. Desired outcomes include inspiring employees to recognize one another, encouraging communication, and fostering a strong work culture. In three years, GPD issued 9,243 PEAK cards and awarded $24,000 to staff.

GPD works to optimize organizational performance through operational excellence. We focus on data-informed decision making has created efficient operations and processes, resulting in high customer and community satisfaction rates. GPD achieved Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA) accreditation in 2023.

As part of the accreditation process, Glenview Park District had to demonstrate compliance with 154 recognized standards and document all policies and procedures. Often the process helps identify efficiencies and heighten areas of accountability, all of which translate into higher quality service and operation to benefit the community. We are honored to be recognized as one of only 206 park and recreation agencies who hold CAPRA accreditation nationwide and one of only nine agencies in Illinois.

Our staff-led Recognition Team developed Innovation awards for initiatives that have improved business processes, provided value to the community, or resulted in new programs and practices. This program fosters innovation, collaboration and efficiency. We received 32 implemented initiatives as submissions for the award, which showed how they saved thousands of dollars and hours.