Des Plaines Park District

Last Friday, staff gathered to celebrate the retirement of Colette Plantz. She began her 10-year career at the Des Plaines Park District in Public Relations and later advanced to the role of Marketing Supervisor. Colette brought her creative talents and photography skills to the District, with many of her photos featured in printed materials, on the website, across social media, and throughout the facilities. A longtime resident, Colette raised her family in Des Plaines and loved being part of the community. She brought passion and heart to everything she did. In retirement, she looks forward to spending more time with her husband, children, and grandchildren. Please join us in celebrating Colette’s dedication to the Des Plaines Park District. Happy retirement, Colette!

We hosted the official grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony at Blackhawk Dog Park on Saturday, September 6. What a great turnout! So many came out and they brought a couple of their humans with them. Pups enjoyed some dog treats and pup cups, but they really just enjoyed running free in this new space. There were some additional VIP’s, including the Park District Board of Commissioners and several City of Des Plaines officials. President of the Park Board, James Grady had the honor of cutting the ribbon after Executive Director, Don Miletic shared a few words about the planning and competition of the Dog Park, giving mention to those who played a big role in making this park a reality. In particular he recognized Director of Parks and Planning, Aurelio Marquez who lead the charge in this project. Other organizations that were in attendance were the Des Plaines Friends of the Parks and the Buddy Foundation, an area pet adoption group.

Des Plaines Park District Celebrates Lake Opeka Shoreline Restoration at Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Des Plaines Park District, Executive Director Don Miletic, and the Park District Board of Directors recognized support from Senator Laura Murphy, Representative Marty Moylan and the City of Des Plaines for their help in making Lake Opeka a healthy and thriving destination for the community and visitors alike.   On Wednesday, June 11, 2025, the Des Plaines Park District proudly hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the grand opening of the Lake Opeka Shoreline Restoration Project. The event welcomed Park District officials, community members, and local and state leaders, including representatives from the City of Des Plaines, State Senator Laura Murphy.   The restored shoreline offers residents and visitors improved access, enhanced natural landscaping, and a revitalized recreational experience. The morning event featured remarks, light refreshments, giveaways, and discounts on boat rentals to mark the occasion.

During this month's board meeting on Tuesday, May 20, the Park District honored two standout employees with the District's highest recognition, Dedicated to Excellence. Gosia Zalewska, Aquatics Manager, and Jim Farley, Front Desk Specialist were surprised to learn of their award when they were invited to attend the monthly meeting. Gosia Zalewska was hired as Aquatic Supervisor in March of 2023 and in less than a year was promoted to Aquatic Manager. From day one she hit the ground running and has made significant improvements to aquatic operations at the Park District. This includes enhancing hiring practices for seasonal employees, improving Swim School logistics, adding new programming opportunities and expanding existing programs and events. Additionally, Mystic Waters Waterpark is undergoing some big upgrades this summer due in part to her vision and tenacity. Her professional attitude and genuine care for the community has set her apart. Congratulations Gosia on receiving the Dedicated to Excellence award! Next we would like to acknowledge Front Desk Specialist, Jim Farley. Jim works the 5:00a shift at Prairie Lakes, while many people are still asleep, he is diligently preparing Prairie Lakes for the day. He greets each fitness member (and employee) by name and will strike up a conversation with members and guests regularly. His dependability and willingness to help out with additional tasks when asked are some of the reasons why he was selected for this Dedicated to Excellence award. Congratulations Jim! #ParkDistrict #DedicatedToExcellence #EmployeeRecognition #CommunityHeroes #AquaticsManager #FrontDeskSpecialist #MysticWaters #PrairieLakes #TeamAppreciation #LocalExcellence

The Des Plaines Park District proudly welcomes James Grady and Jana Haas as reelected members of its Board of Commissioners. James Grady and Jana Haas officially took the Oath of Office at the May 20, 2025, Park Board meeting, held at the Administrative & Leisure Center. Elected by the community during the April 1, 2025, Consolidated Election, James Grady and Jana Haas bring years of dedicated service, board experience, and civic leadership with a passion for parks, recreation, and public engagement to the Board. These reelected board members will help shape policy, oversee fiscal responsibility, and guide the District’s strategic initiatives to ensure exceptional service and stewardship of public resources. For more information about the Des Plaines Park District and the Board of Commissioners, visit www.dpparks.org. #DesPlaines #ParkDistrict #CommunityLeadership #PublicEngagement #BoardOfCommissioners #CivicService #ParksAndRecreation #LocalGovernment #CommunityService #ElectedOfficials

We recently received news, along with some photos, that two of our old playgrounds have been placed in other communities around the globe. This was the correspondence we received from the Resource Partnership Director of Kids Around the World, Andrew Martin, "I wanted to reach out and say thank you so much for your continued partnership with Kids Around the World. Last week Arndt Park was reinstalled in a community in Lusaka, Zambia. Bluett Park also found a new home in Pokhara, Nepal. It's because of amazing park districts like yours that we are able to provide the gift of play to so many around the world. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to give this playground a second life." Our partnership with Kids Around the World has been meaningful as these playgrounds that still have life, can be repurposed in other countries. The equipment is removed by KATW staff and volunteers, then meticulously refurbished before being shipped out. Kids Around the World is located in Rockford, IL. #KidsAroundTheWorld #PlaygroundRevival #CommunityPlaygrounds #GlobalPlay #PlaygroundDonation #SustainablePlay #PlayForAll #RockfordIL #PlaygroundPartnership #ChildhoodJoy

PRAIRIE LAKES FITNESS CENTER EXPANSION IN THE WORKS! We're upgrading our facility to provide a better fitness experience for our community! Highlights include: 🔷 Expanded Fitness Area – Strength and cardio combined for a more dynamic workout space. 🔷 New Aerobics Studio – A refreshed, modern space for group classes. 🔷 Open Cycle Room – Improved visibility and a more engaging atmosphere. 🔷 Repositioned Front Desk – Faster, more efficient customer service. 🔷 Renovated Locker Rooms – Modern, comfortable, and functional. These enhancements reflect our commitment to offering top-quality amenities. We can’t wait for you to enjoy them! Stay tuned for updates! #PrairieLakesFitness #FitnessCenter #GymExpansion #CommunityFitness #HealthyLiving #FitFam #GroupClasses #WorkoutSpace #FitnessJourney #WellnessCommunity

Commissioner Don Rosedale honored for 25 years of Service! Commissioner Rosedale became a member of the Park Board of Commissioner back in May of 1999 and has served this community faithfully over these past 25 years. His ancestors were early settlers of Des Plaines helping to create his deep-rooted love for this area. In addition to the Park Board, Rosedale served on many community boards and organizations. His service to the community was well known and admired by many. But of all the commitments he made, his favorite service was being involved with the Des Plaines Park District. Don would always say, “he wants to make sure the children of Des Plaines have the best options available” and his tenure on the Park Board was instrumental with providing quality services, facilities, and open space for Des Plaines residents. Throughout the years Rosedale was committed to avoiding additional tax referendums to complete projects, he was instrumental in guiding the Park District’s Policies, and making sound decisions for the betterment of the Des Plaines Park District. Rosedale stepped down from the Park Board of Commissioners on January 17, 2025. He will be missed and is honored by many for all he did for his community and the Des Plaines Park District. The Park District thanks him for his many years of service!

Celebrating 30 Years of Dedication: Deputy Director, Paul Cathey It is with immense gratitude and admiration that the Des Plaines Park District celebrates the remarkable 30-year career of Deputy Director, Paul Cathey. Paul has been a cornerstone of our District, dedicating his time, talent, and passion to improving the lives of our residents and transforming the Des Plaines community. He began with the Park District back in 1995 as the Superintendent of Parks and has held multiple positions where he finished as the Deputy Director. Since joining the Park District three decades ago, Paul has been instrumental in projects such as Lake Park, Shoreline, Chippewa Pool, Arndt Pool, Prairie Lakes Aquatics Center, Mystic Water’s improvements, Skate Park, and countless parks and playgrounds. Every piece of this Park District has been touched with his guidance in one way or another. His leadership and vision have helped shape beloved spaces, programs, and facilities that bring joy, fitness, and daily connection to our residents. Under Paul’s creativity, the Parks, Revenue, and Recreation Departments have seen significant growth and innovation. Paul’s efforts have created lasting impacts that will be felt for generations to come. Paul’s dedication extends beyond his projects; his collaborative spirit and commitment to teamwork have fostered a culture of excellence among staff and community partners like the Frisbee Senior Center. His work exemplifies the values of the Des Plaines Park District, ensuring we remain a vital and vibrant part of our community. Equally important to Paul is his devotion to his family. Balancing his professional achievements with a strong commitment to his loved ones, Paul finds joy and inspiration in spending quality time with his wife, children, and grandchildren, who have supported him throughout his career. His ability to integrate his personal and professional values is a testament to his character and leadership. As Paul reflects on his 30 years with the Park District, his legacy of service, innovation, and community impact shines brightly. His efforts have helped make Des Plaines a better place to live, work, and play. Please join us in celebrating Paul Cathey’s incredible career and thanking him for his unwavering dedication to the Des Plaines community and his family. Happy retirement Paul!

The Park District recently acknowledged two employees with our highest award, Dedicated to Excellence. This award is presented a few times a year to outstanding employees who have made a positive contribution to their department and the Park District. Congratulations to Jenny Fairman on being selected for Dedicated for Excellence! Jenny has significantly impacted the district in under a year. As an assistant in the recreation department, she has been instrumental in preschool and summer camp programs. She stepped in as a lead teacher for the Spanish Immersion Program. Jenny spearheads new programs like early childhood art classes and actively contributes to event planning. Her positive attitude, superb communication skills, and team spirit have made her an invaluable asset. Congratulations to Ziggy Wisniewski for receiving the Dedicated to Excellence award! Since joining us as a Mechanical Maintenance team member on August 1, 2019, Ziggy has proven to be invaluable. His reliability, confidence, and skilled repairs keep our fleet and seasonal equipment running smoothly. With a great sense of humor and camaraderie, he’s not just a colleague but a well-liked friend to his coworkers. Thank you for your hard work and dedication, Jenny and Ziggy! Here’s to many more years of excellence! #DedicatedToExcellence #EmployeeRecognition #ParkDistrict #TeamAchievement #OutstandingEmployees #WorkplaceExcellence #CommunityContributors #PositiveImpact #TeamPlayer #Dedication #Excellence #TeamSpirit #RecreationDepartment