December 2009 - Parks & Recreation - 42

I took for
granted
the huge
commitment
of human,
natural, and
financial
resources it
takes to provide
the facilities
I enjoy.
-Penny Randel

40 Parks & Recreation

Penny Randel

Joan Gillette Rokus

Commissioner, Northbrook Park District,
Northbrook, Illinois.

Board Member, Northern Virginia Regional
Park Authority, Leesburg, Virginia

Elected to Northbrook's seven-member board in
1993 for a four-year term, Randel has subsequently been re-elected in 1997, 2001, 2005, and 2009.
Across her tenure, and with her participation, the
district has renovated or built every facility that now
exists.
In addition, the community
has passed a referendum (with
73 percent approval) to purchase some 70 acres of land to
add to the 430-plus acres that
the district already owns. No
small feat, that.
" While working on the referendum, " Randel ref lects, " I
recognized the park district
was the entity that assures the
availability of the facilities and
programs that were such an inf luential part of my childhood
and the source of most of my leisure venues as an adult. "
Indeed, says Randel, the
swimming and golfing facilities
that she frequents today are provided by the same park district
she serves. " Like many people, "
she says, " I took it for granted
and did not consider the huge
commitment of human, natural, and financial resources that it takes to provide the kind of facilities
I enjoy. "
Randel says being part of a board that ensures
future generations will have access to the spaces
and places that she enjoys is enough to keep her
devoted to acquiring and maintaining the resources
that make it all possible.
" Growing up near a large park with many amenities, I spent a great deal of time enjoying all the
opportunities the park provided. It is our responsibility to help our community members recognize
that the services provided by their park and recreation agencies do not just happen, are not free, and
are valuable, integral elements that impact the quality of their daily lives. "
A park, a program, or a facility can have its beginning from one person identifying a need, helping others recognize it, and building support for the
action necessary to satisfy that need, says Randel.
" It has happened several times in my community. "

Having served nine years as an NRPA citizen board
member, it's safe to say that Rokus has a special
place in her heart for the nonprofit organization.
How, you might ask?
In her role with the NVRPA and Loudoun County, Virginia, Board of Supervisors, Rokus helped
to facilitate the acquisition of the land on which the
Ahrens Institute of the National Recreation and Park
Association now sits.
And while Rokus helped NRPA to look toward
its future, her focus with the NV RPA has been
on the past. In fact, it was Rokus who formed the
501(c)3 organization for historic structures owned
by the county, including the Stone House at Harper Park and the Mount Zion Church Preservation
Association.
Over the years, Rokus says that she's learned
the importance of listening to each stakeholder
who wants to share his or her opinions on a project,
whether it's the renovation of an existing park or the
development of a new facility.
" Become a 'student' of your local park and recreation department, " suggests Rokus. " Become familiar with the budget process, policies, plans, and
personalities involved. "
And, she adds, " attend meetings and volunteer. "
Sage advice from one who's been there.

DECEMBER 2009

www.NRPA .ORG

Become a 'student' of your
local park and recreation
department.
-Joan Rokus

December 2009 - Parks & Recreation

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