Managing the Madness of Parks & Natural Resources Sessions

In Illinois park districts, playgrounds are highly visible, high-use environments where weather, wear, vandalism, and daily play constantly change conditions. The question is not whether something will shift. It is whether your inspection and documentation systems are strong enough to catch it and demonstrate due diligence. This session is designed for parks professionals who want to move beyond basic checklists and build inspection programs that truly support operations and risk management. We will explore what owner responsibility looks like in practice, how inspection frequency should reflect real world conditions, and where agencies unintentionally increase liability exposure. The focus is on real world wins. Strong documentation protects frontline staff, supports leadership, strengthens your risk position, and builds credibility when questions arise. From taking equipment out of service appropriately to creating records that clearly tell the story of your actions, participants will gain practical strategies they can implement immediately. You will leave prepared to inspect with confidence, document with purpose, and lead a program that reflects the professionalism Illinois communities expect. Learning Objectives: Participants will be able to ..... 1. Explain the owner and operator responsibilities related to playground inspection, maintenance, and repair, and how these responsibilities influence risk and liability exposure. 2. Determine appropriate inspection types and frequencies based on equipment condition, surfacing, environmental factors, and level of use. 3. Develop documentation practices that demonstrate due diligence, support defensible decision-making, and strengthen communication with supervisors, risk managers, and insurers.

Capital planning can feel like a half-court offense—slow, siloed, and reactive. This session shows how to put your agency on a fast break by bringing planning and maintenance teams together around a shared capital asset playbook. By combining asset condition, maintenance needs, risk, and community priorities and a little help from AI, we will show you how we created a clear, defensible capital asset priority list. Attendees will see how a capital investment framework turns scattered data into all-star collaboration, smarter project sequencing, and slam-dunk decisions that stretch funding, extend asset life, and win stakeholder buy-in. Learning Objectives: Participants will be able to ..... 1. Identify how to strengthen collaboration and communication between planning and maintenance teams to support more strategic capital decision-making. 2. Develop a data-informed capital planning framework that evaluates projects based on risk, condition, and service levels to create a defensible, long-term asset priority list. 3. Explain how to leverage AI and other tools to support analysis and clearly communicate capital investment decisions to leadership, stakeholders, and the public with confidence.

This session takes a deep dive into the fundamentals of park district budgeting, helping professionals build winning strategies for financial success. Attendees will learn how to develop clear, transparent budgets that align with organizational goals while supporting community programs and services. We’ll cover essential topics such as revenue forecasting, expense management, capital planning, and best practices for presenting budgets to boards and stakeholders. Using real-world examples from park district operations—like parks operations, golf, and special events—this session will highlight practical tools and techniques for balancing fiscal responsibility with community impact. Whether you’re new to budgeting or looking to refine your approach, you’ll leave with actionable insights to keep your financial game strong and your district ready for the big dance. Learning Objectives: Participants will be able to ..... 1. Understand the budget process and Budget & Appropriation Ordinance. 2. Learn how to incorporate Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) recommendations into your budgeting process, including Target-Based Budgeting, Getting Reserves Right, and even exploring Budget Games research. 3. Explore key ideas to design a Fiscally Sustainable and FUN Operating & Capital Budget.

This session provides a practical overview of contracting within public works and engineering projects, demystifying the process from initial planning through bid management, award, and execution. With a focus on managing expectations and clarifying industry terminology, participants will gain a clearer understanding of how contracts move from concept to completion. Drawing on his extensive civil engineering background, Tom Rychlik walks attendees through the essential components of a successful project, including advertisement requirements, bidder questions, bid opening procedures, and the structure of project manuals—such as instructions to bidders, general conditions, and technical specifications. The session concludes with key project management considerations, including schedule planning, bid awarding, and contract closeout, equipping participants with the knowledge and confidence to effectively manage public works contracts and support long-term project success. Learning Objectives: 1. Gain Understanding of public bid terminology. 2. Develop tools for project bid scheduling. 3. Identify key components of the public contracting process to effectively support successful project delivery.

Building a career in parks maintenance can sometimes feel like playing defense—constantly responding to issues, managing daily operations, and keeping facilities and parks running. This session challenges that mindset by exploring how to intentionally navigate your career path through stepping into new roles, building strategic skills, and pursuing opportunities beyond traditional maintenance responsibilities. By expanding your experience in areas like budgeting, capital planning, team leadership, and cross-department collaboration, you can position yourself for advancement into superintendent and director-level roles. Attendees will gain practical strategies for identifying growth opportunities, strengthening leadership presence, and developing a well-rounded skill set that prepares them for senior leadership. Whether you’re early in your career or preparing for your next promotion, this session will help you move from role player to franchise leader. Learning Objectives: Participants will be able to .... 1. Identify new skill areas and stretch assignments that prepare them for superintendent or director roles. 2. Develop a personal growth plan that expands experience beyond day-to-day maintenance operations. 3. Understand how to build visibility and credibility within their organization.