District Wide Awards & Accreditations
The H-F Park District places a strong emphasis on staff involvement in national, state and local organizations. Staff and board members hold memberships in National Recreation & Park Association, Illinois Park & Recreation Association, Illinois Association of Park Districts and professional organizations (Ice Skating Institute, Midwest Institute of Park Executives, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and South Suburban Park & Recreation Professional Association. Special attention can be brought to the district’s board-level involvement in IPRA and the Park District Risk Management Agency. Staff members have held positions of honor on the Board of Regents Western Revenue School (1997-1999), Great Lakes Regional Council board member (2003-05), Illinois Professional Development School, and Illinois State Special Olympics committees.
Highlights of national, state and local awards include:
NRPA Gold Medal Award – Finalist (1988-91, 2005, 2016-2018; Winner, 1991, 2006 & 2018)
The NRPA Gold Medal Award honors communities throughout the United States that demonstrate excellence in long-range planning, resource management and innovative approaches to delivering superb park and recreation services with fiscally sound business practices.
Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting (1993-present)
The GFOA established the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting Program (CAFR Program) in 1945 to encourage and assist state and local governments to go beyond the minimum requirements of generally accepted accounting principles to prepare comprehensive annual financial reports that evidence the spirit of transparency and full disclosure and then to recognize individual governments that succeed in achieving that goal.
Illinois Distinguished Agency (2015, 2009, 2004 & 1998)
The Illinois Association of Park Districts (IAPD) and the Illinois Park and Recreation Association (IPRA). The two statewide associations administer the Illinois Distinguished Accreditation program with the goal of improving the delivery of park and recreation services to Illinois residents.
2016 Sustainable Landscaping and Biosolids Beneficial Reuse Award
Awarded by the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago. Biosolids at Coyote Run Golf Course.
2005 Good Sports Program Award for Tennisfest – NRPA and Sports Illustrated
Good Sports Award was created to highlight the positive sportsmanship in your community.
“Excellence in Tennis Programming” from NRPA and USTA (2003)
The awards honor outstanding park and recreation agencies for significant contributions and excellence in local tennis programming.
Member Organization of the Year, USTA and USTA/Midwest Section (2001)
This award is given to the organization that best exemplifies service to the community, service to its members through junior and adult programs and service to the game of tennis. This represents a standard that all Organization Members can strive to achieve.
Facility of the Year, Chicago District Tennis Association (2000)
The award is presented each year to an outstanding tennis facility that has supported and promoted the overall growth of tennis in the Greater Chicago area.
IPRA’s Outstanding Programming Award for Community Kids (2005)
The programming award honors innovative programs pertaining to senior and active adults, youth and families, cultural arts, health and fitness, community wellness and more.
Chicago Southland’s Best Health & Fitness Club (1995-2007, 2011 & 2012)
Votes top Health & Fitness Club in the Chicago Southland.
Chicago Southland Convention & Visitors Bureau “Member of the Year” – Irons Oaks (2005)
Ellis Gold and Platinum Awards (2000-05)
Starfish 5-Star Safety Award (2006-present)
The award recognizes district guards' exceptional performance during an unannounced lifeguard safety audit in 2013. Only the top performing agencies nationwide receive 5-Star recognition.
USGA For the Good of the Game Golf Award (2003)
This program is devoted to improving the lives of communities through accessible golf.
Urban Resources Partnership Grant (2001)
Illinois State Museums Operating & Capital Programs Grant Awards (2002, 2003)
The Public Museum Capital Grants Program is designed to help public museums in Illinois expand and upgrade facilities and create new exhibitions.
Illinois First Grant Awards (1999, 2000)
IPRA Fellow Award (2004)
The IPRA Fellow Award is presented to a past or present park and recreation professional who has shown excellence in promoting the parks and recreation movement on a statewide basis.
Urban and Community Forestry Grant Award (2005)
Business Beautification Award
Patch.com Reader's Choice - Best Youth Sports Program (2012)