Park Cast by the Illinois Association of Park Districts

IAPD's Wayne Utterback talks with Forest Preserve District of Kane County Executive Director Ben Haberthur about his district's bicentennial. Intro/Outro by Purple Planet

IAPD's Wayne Utterback talks with Wheaton Park District Executive Director Mike Benard on how his agency is meeting the needs of the community through inclusivity and play.

Park Cast Episode #60 - Gary Gillis, Pekin Park District, Pt. 2 by IAPD

Park Cast #59 - Gary Gillis, Pekin Park District (Part 1) by IAPD

IAPD's Wayne Utterback speaks with the Northbrook Park District Superintendent of Arts & Recreation Erin Sweet, about her agency being recognized with the Arts in the Park Award at the Best of the Best Awards Gala.

IAPD's Wayne Utterback speaks with Outstanding Citizen Volunteer of the Year Award recipient Steve Gordon, nominated by the Village of South Elgin Parks & Recreation Department, about his volunteer efforts being recognized at the Best of the Best Awards Gala.

IAPD's Wayne Utterback sits down to talk with Best Friend of Illinois Parks - Large Business winners Doty & Sons and the Sycamore Park District about working together to improve their local community.

Wayne Utterback talks with the winners of the IAPD Best of the Best Awards Gala Intergovernmental Cooperation winners, Craig Talsma, executive director of the Hoffman Estates Park District, and Tracey Crawford, executive director of the Northwest Special Recreation Association, about the award and what it means to them.

IAPD's Wayne Utterback speaks with Ty Kovach, executive director of the Lake County Forest Preserve District, about his agency winning Best Green Practices at the Best of the Best Awards Gala and what it means to be a leader in going green.

Wayne Utterback talks with the Forest Preserves of Cook County, Chicago Zoological Society an the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine about the work they are doing, which won them a Partnership award at this year's Best of the Best Awards Gala.

IAPD's Wayne Utterback talks with IAPD's Director of Advocacy and Strategic Initiatives Mitchell Remmert about his first full year working on behalf of our members in Springfield.

IAPD's Wayne Utterback talks with Grosse Point Lighthouse Chief Administrator Donald Terras about the Lighthouse Park District's history and the importance of preservation.

IAPD's Wayne Utterback talks with Jennifer Rogers of the Arlington Heights Park District about her winning photo in the 2022 Give Us Your Best Shot photo contest and about how she approaches capturing those incredible moments.

Wayne Utterback talks with photographer Jeff Cohen, who was selected as an award winner in last year's Give Us Your Best Shot photo contest. Jeff talks about his passion for photography and what it takes to snap an incredible image.

Wayne Utterback talks with one of our Give Us Your Best Shot photo contest winners, Justin Sienkiewicz of the Schaumburg Park District. Featured in this interview are some of his best photos from his collection.

IAPD's Wayne Utterback talks with Lake County Forest Preserves Director Nan Buckardt, who was named to the Outdoor Hall of Fame last year about some of her experiences and what it means to receive this recognition.

IAPD's Wayne Utterback talks with this year's Commissioner of the Year Ken Collin of the Freeport Park District.

IAPD's Wayne Utterback talks with the 2022 Honored Professional winner Dan Jones, executive director of the Cary Park District.

IAPD's Wayne Utterback speaks with 2022 Soaring to New Heighs Conference Rising Star Award Winner Laura Reilly of the Hanover Park Park District.

IAPD's Wayne Utterback talks with the 2022 Mike Cassidy Commissioner Community Service Award winner Bill Wright, a commissioner for the Streamwood Park District.

IAPD's Wayne Utterback talks with the Vermilion County Conservation District's Environmental Education Supervisor Lara Danzl about the district's Owl Night event and the partnerships that make it possible.

IAPD's Wayne Utterback talks with Glencoe Park District's Director of Recreation/Facilities Bobby Collins about the ever-popular Watts Center and its outdoor ice rink.

IAPD's Wayne Utterback talks with Forest Preserves of Cook County Policy & Sustainability Manager Raquel Garcia-Alvarez about her agency's efforts to implement diversity, equity and inclusion.

IAPD's Wayne Utterback talks to Bartlett Park District Marketing Manager Stephanie FitzSimons about the wintery offerings her agency provides to residents and visitors.

IAPD's Wayne Utterback talks with Village of Hawthorn Woods Chief Operating Officer Pam Newton about her agency's efforts to be environmentally conscious.