2023 DISTRICT ACCOMPLISHMENTS
2. Leverage innovation with regard to overall maintenance practices and District operations to help overcome staffing and workload challenges while meeting organizational standards. Staff reviewed current operational practices and identified opportunities to increase efficiencies, implement new operational practices, enhance performance and improve quality to provide positive, memorable experiences for Park District residents and visitors alike. Changes implemented in the Parks Department included shifting some routine maintenance work to contractors, creating more long-term positions, redesigning landscape beds with self-sustaining perennials, and using newer technologies to help streamline work. 3. Initiate the District’s new 3-year Strategic Plan. The District launched its new, three-year Strategic Plan that was created in late 2022 with the input of board, staff and community stakeholders. This document highlights short- term and long-term strategic goals for the District for 2023-2025. 4. Develop the District’s new Master Plan. A new organizational Master Plan, was approved by the Park Board in August 2023. The Plan takes into consideration the 2022 Community Interest and Opinion Survey findings and 2023-2025 Strategic Plan goals and objectives, public input, community demographics, past Master Plans, and other District planning documents as well as research on parks and recreation trends.
5. Reopen Springbrook Golf Course following major renovations. Springbrook Golf Course reopened in June 2023 following significant renovations that included the rebuilding of tees and bunkers, reconstructing green surrounds and ponds relative to specific holes, and adding new bridges and a stone wall, as well as installing a new drainage system. The project improved playability and the overall experience for golfers. 6. Collaborate with the City of Naperville on the development of a new Riverwalk/Carillon agreement. The Park District worked with the City of Naperville to establish an updated agreement for the Naperville Riverwalk and Millennium Carillon properties to assist in effectively managing and maintaining these key focal points for the benefit of the community. The updated agreement was approved by the Park Board in July and by the Naperville City Council in August. 7. Rebuild the Park District’s Volunteer Program. The District collaborated with key community organizations to strengthen and enhance its volunteer program with the goal to encourage large, community-connected groups to assist with substantial Districtwide volunteer projects. As a result of additional outreach and working with area organizations to promote Naperville Park District volunteer opportunities, the District saw an 83% increase in the number of volunteer groups in 2023.
The Park District began 2023 by launching its 2023-2025 Strategic Plan, which provides a roadmap for board and staff to help ensure that the District is functioning in the best interests of the community and its recreation needs. One of the goals listed in the Strategic Plan for 2023 was to approve an update to the District’s Master Plan. The Board of Commissioners approved the updated Master Plan in August 2023, providing further guidance for the 2024 Budget and future capital projects. The District’s major accomplishments in 2023 are as follows: 2023 DISTRICT GOALS 1. Invest in attracting and retaining staff across the organization to reduce the number of vacant positions. The District evaluated benefit trends, reviewed salary ranges, assessed ongoing minimum wage impacts and promoted employee development and growth opportunities to attract and retain talented staff. The Marketing and Human Resources Departments continued to collaborate in promoting both part-time and full-time positions. The number of vacancies was reduced overall, with some significant needs remaining in the areas of custodial and park maintenance.
2024 BUDGET 5
napervilleparks.org
Made with FlippingBook Digital Proposal Creator