Frankfort Square Park District

The Lincoln-Way Area Parks (L.A.P.) is a cooperative program at Lincoln-Way East High School that the Frankfort Square, Frankfort, and Mokena Park Districts offer to residents. An agreement was entered into by and between the 3-member districts and the Board of Education of Lincoln-Way High School District 210 in 1994. The agreement grants use of the Lincoln-Way East field house, swimming pool, fitness center, and gymnasium for the educational, recreational, and social purposes for park district residents and the Lincoln-Way High School community. L.A.P. will cease operations in August, 2008, and the Frankfort Square Park District will be granted exclusive use of the new Lincoln-Way North High School campus for a variety of park district programming, similar to the current L.A.P offerings.[1]

The Frankfort Square Park District has been a member of the South Suburban Special Recreation Association (SSSRA) since 1989. The FSPD donated park property and was involved in the entire construction process from the initial planning stages through the completion of SSSRA's administrative offices and ongoing maintenance issues. FSPD's Executive Director drafted an agreement with ten member districts to complete the sale of alternate bonds in the amount of US$750,000.

Illinois State Representative, Kevin McCarthy additionally secured a US$500,000 State Line Item Grant for office construction. SSSRA's new home, completed in 2003, has given the association greater stability and visibility within the community as well has allowed for more programming to better serve residents.[2]

In 2002, the Frankfort Square Park District purchased a 9-hole golf course located about two miles (3 km) from the park districts administration building. Square Links is a 1,749-yard (1,599 m), par 32 golf course. It features a 400,000-square-foot (37,000 m²) driving range, an 18-hole natural grass putting course, practice sand bunker, and a practice chipping area. The park district also offers private and group golf lessons.

Throughout the year, the Frankfort Square Park District offers community members the opportunity to participate in various athletic leagues. Kids can join teams playing indoor soccer and basketball throughout the winter. In the warmer months, leagues of baseball, softball, and outdoor soccer use many of the park district's playing fields. Classes in gymnastics are also offered at the Lincoln-Way East High School gymnasium for beginner and intermediate participants. Additionally, karate and dance classes are also offered. Adults can join athletic leagues of softball and bean bag tournaments.

The Frankfort Square Park District has offered scholarships to graduating high school seniors seeking a four-year college education since 2007. The College Scholarship Golf Tournament played at Square Links Golf Course helps to fund the scholarship fund. In the inaugural year, five students were awarded US$1,000 scholarships.

The Early Learning Center is a preschool program that is offered by the Frankfort Square Park District. The program was established in 1981. It is centered on developing the physical, social, emotional, and cognitive skills of children aged three to five. The Early Learning Center grew from two classes a day in 1989 to four classes when the new community center was constructed in 1991. After the passing of a referendum to expand the center, new classrooms were added, doubling the current space. Additionally, a new playground was built adjacent to the classrooms.

The Frankfort Square Park District was incorporated in 1974. The first community meetings were held in local homes because no administration building had been established. Dennis O’Brien was hired part time in 1975 on a contractual basis and he worked as park director until 1981. He wrote 10 park programs per year and supervised the offerings. The staff began with one semi-full-time employee, Diane Veltman.[3]

The first administration building was erected next to the old Summit Hill Junior High School. Today this building is still being used for group meetings as well as a concession stand.

In 1990, US$1 million in financing was provided to the park district to build the current community center located on Braemar Lane in Frankfort. The construction was completed in 1991.[4]

In 2002, a majority of voters approved a US$5 million referendum, providing funds to meet master plan objectives including expansion of programming, facilities, and properties. The expansion of the Community Center provided for additional offices, board room, kitchen, and preschool classrooms and was completed in 2003.[5]

In late 2007, the FSPD was awarded the Gold Medal Award from the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) for excellence in park and recreation management. The park district won for a Class V district, which includes all districts with less than 25,000 residents. The Frankfort Square Park District was the only winner from Illinois in 2007.[6]

The current Frankfort Square Park District Board of Commissioners include:

• Pamela Kohlbacher, President
• Kenneth Blackburn, Vice President
• Robert Guler, Treasurer
• Jim Randall, Secretary
• Brian Mulheran, Commissioner (appointed to vacancy)[7]
• Barb Libowitz, Commissioner
• Dave Macek, Commissioner
• Jeff Roach, Commissioner
• Jill Simmons, Commissioner

In November 2007, the current Executive Director, Jim Randall, completed 25 years of service to the Frankfort Square Park District community. He has acquired over US$12 million for park improvements.

In 2008, the Superintendent of the Early Learning Center, Brenda Kushner, completed her 26th year at the Frankfort Square Park District. She has developed the current preschool curriculum throughout her years as the Early Learning Center director.