YEAR IN REVIEW

Find your FUN, find your smile at springfieldparks.org 2019 The Springfield Park District is pleased to present this report to the Board of Trustees and interested citizens of our community. This report is intended to summarize the operational activity of the Springfield Park District through December 2019 and the financial activity and results of the Springfield Park District for period ending April 30, 2019. This eportr also illustrates ways in which the Park District’s strategic initiatives have helped fulfill the organization’s mission. An electronic copy of this report is available at www.springfieldparks.org. Paper copies are available at the Bunn Administrative Offices.

Mission To provide accessible and memorable recreation opportunities that enrich the community and improve the quality of life for generations as well as conserve our natural resources.

The Springfield Park District is governed by a publicly elected board. The governing board is composed of an elected President and six elected Trustees all serving four year terms. These Trustees volunteer their time, energy and expertise because they genuinely care about providing high quality recreation programs, facilities and open space to Board of our citizens. The Board employs an Executive Director to manage the day to day operations of the organization and meet the goals and TRUSTEES objectives of the Board.

Leslie Sgro, Grant Hammer, Robin Schmidt, C.J. Metcalf, Sierra Senor-Moore, Lisa Badger, Kris Theilen, President Trustee Trustee Trustee Trustee Trustee Trustee

Executive

Derek Harms, Stephen Flesch, Jason Graham, Lynn Saputo, CPRP Director of Finance Director of Parks CPRP Executive Director and Administration and Planning Director of Recreation STAFF and Marketing 2500 S. 11th St., Springfield, IL 62703 217-544-1751 www.springfieldparks.org

2 SPRINGFIELD PARK DISTRICT 2019 ANNUAL REPORT SERVING OUR COMMUNITY FOR OVER 100 YEARS

Size and Scope of Services

Total Area 60 Square Miles (includes Springfield, Environmental Zoo, Botanical Garden, Nature Trails, Served parts of Grandview, Jerome, Leland Facilities Nature Preserve, Land and Water Grove, Sherman, and Southern View) Reserve, Campgrounds, Community Gardens Population Approximately 135,000 residents Served Athletic 60+ / Fields, Courts, Soccer Fields, Football Fields, The District provides public Facilities Owned/Leased Pickleball Courts, Tennis Courts, stewardship of approximately 2,500 Property Platform Tennis Courts, Horseshoe acres of land Pits, Bocce Ball, Shuffle Board, Cricket Parks and 35 Parks, Playground Systems, Field, Rugby Field Amenities 2 Splash Pads, BMX Bike track, 322 acre Nature Preserve located in Fishing Piers, Stocked Fishing Ponds, Nature Carpenter Park Outdoor Ice Skating, Sledding Hills, Preserves Outdoor Exercise Areas, Hiking Trails, Land & Water 113 acre Land and Water Reserve Pedestrian Paths, Open Air Shelters, Reserves located in Riverside Park Picnic Areas, Restroom Facilities Trails 3 Bicycle Trails (17 miles), numerous Recreation 4 Golf Courses, 2 Indoor Ice Rinks, Nature/Hiking trails Facilities 2 Outdoor Pools, Indoor Pool, 3 Dog Offer over 400 programs from Runs, 3 Disc Golf Courses, 2 Baseball Recreation Programs Early Childhood to Seniors and Stadiums, 1 Preschool Facility, 2 Special Recreation Historic Pavilions, Special Needs Facility, Carillon, Tennis Complex, Band Shell, Skate Park

Supporting the Springfield Community

Employed 502 people, providing $6.7 million total Provided financial assistance to multiple underprivileged compensation to personnel. families.

Engaged 33 contractors, for a total of $188,601 in fees. The following Strategic Initiatives have been developed to channel resources in a direction that yields the Significant employer of youth and older adults. greatest benefit to Park District resident taxpayers and other guests, focusing efforts on what is truly important for the organization. Older Adults 16% (Ages 60+) 44% i. Establish long-term financial stability 39% ii. Implement facility and maintenance upgrades iii. Update technology iv. Update equipment through a rotation Youth Ages 26-59 purchase plan (Ages 25 & Under) v. To achieve world-class customer service

Supported fundraising efforts of 47 local not-for-profit Previously approved 10yr comprehensive master plan. organizations by providing 104 donations.

2019 ANNUAL REPORT SPRINGFIELD PARK DISTRICT 3 FINANCIAL OVERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS & ACHIEVEMENTS Governmental funds reported FY 2019 ending fund Over 90% of funds allocated in the Capital Improvement balances of $6.7 million as compared to $6.3 Million in budget were devoted to repair and replace existing FY 2018, further highlighting the District’s commitment to assets, including needed equipment and facility improving financial stability. improvements.

The FY 2019 audit is being handled by Sikich. No Improved fiscal year - end Fund Balance by over adjustments to the financial statements were made, $6.2 Million since 2013. supporting the accuracy being reported to the board on a monthly basis. Current full audit report is available at TOTAL FUND BALANCE www.springfieldparks.org/budget. $8mil Reduced negative fund balances by $632K over $7mil previous year. $6mil Completed approximately $1.5 million in improvements $5mil and repairs to building, infrastructure, and equipment $4mil needs. $3mil $2mil $1mil 0 FY 13 FY 14 FY 15 FY 16 FY 17 FY 18 FY 19

PROPERTY TAXES

Where Your Tax Dollars Go Tax Rate Comparison

Less than 6% of the average Springfield resident’s total tax The Springfield Park District’s tax rate is nearly one third of the rate bill is attributed to the Springfield Park District. For a $100,000 assessed by other Park Districts in Central resulting in lower homeowner, taxes paid to the Park District were approximately $130. taxes for property owners. 1.5

Springfield School District #186(58%) 1.2 1.23 Other (13%) 1.15

Springfield Corporate - City(10%) 0.9 0.85 Sangamon County (9%) 0.72 Community College District #526 (5%) 0.6

Springfield Park District(5%) 0.49 0.3

0.0

*Financial reporting includes fiscal activity

and results for period ending April 30, 2019. Peoria Park District Decatur Park District Urbana Park District Springfield Park District Champaign Park District

4 SPRINGFIELD PARK DISTRICT 2019 ANNUAL REPORT FINANCIAL OVERVIEW How the Park District is Funded Total Revenue FY 19 $16.5 Million

77% 17% 2% 4%

Tax Levies Guest Fees Contributions, Interest & Other Other Taxes

Community’s Return on Investment Total Expenditures FY 19 $17.2 Million

Recreation General Operations

28% 28%

3% 19% 8% 14%

Park Maintenance

Police Museum Capital Improvements

2019 ANNUAL REPORT SPRINGFIELD PARK DISTRICT 5 OPERATIONAL OVERVIEW

Investing in Your Facilities Recreation Highlights

Athletics • New 20-ton HVAC rooftop • Athletics – Increased participation in the following • Remodeled clubhouse & unit in the Franklin room programs: Challenger Sports British Soccer Camp, built new bullpens in Robin • New asphalt repaving High School Lacrosse, Youth Lacrosse, & the St. Louis Roberts Stadium & striping on the entire Cardinals Kids Camp parking lot Aquatics • Replaced two ADA • Botanical – Won Best of 2019 for Best Outdoor • New LED light fixtures automated door openers in Location for a wedding ceremony in the IL Times & filter pit valves at Rink 2’s front foyer • Funshop – Won third place overall in the Memorial’s Eisenhower Pool • Retrofitted Rink 2 LED Festival of Trees showcase • New variable frequency lighting drive at Veterans Memorial • Golf – Provided numerous instructional golf lessons Pool Preschool and tournaments such as: Veterans Golf League • New roof, gutter system, at Bergen Golf Course; Junior Golf Camps - 119 Botanical Garden windows & wooden participants; Junior Golf Leagues; Free golf instruction • New lattice wall behind baseboards installed in the for Veterans through the PGA HOPE program - 26 the Perennial Border by bathrooms at Washington participants; Drysdale Tournament - 226 participants; the main entrance, & new Park Pavilion Oversaw the administration of the Men’s City Golf benches at Herndon Plaza Tournament - 104 participants & the Women’s City Memorial Zoo Golf Tournament - 24 participants; & Round-The-Town • New inventory for the • Revamped amphitheater 2-Person Tournament - 90 participants existing permanent plant including new decking, collections & new tree paneling, walls, ramp, metal • Nelson Center Ice Sports – Restructured the Lower specimens were planted for roof, & new color scheme & Upper House Recreational Hockey program to outside tree collection • Constructed new exhibit for offer higher skill & drill development, competition & the Red Billed Hornbills sportsmanship which is now named Tier 1 & Tier 2 Carillon • Installed new ADA Recreational House Hockey program. The Tier 1 & Tier • Replaced glass entry playground mats & border 2 Recreational Hockey program doubled in attendance door in tower lobby and around the playground area this year. Also offered a new mid season 3 on 3 windows in playing cabin • Installed new LED lighting hockey tournament for participants in Tier 1 & Tier 2 in the holding building, Funshop • Special Recreation – 2,975 Summer Camp Lemur, Langur, Painted Dog Participants at all 3 Summer Camps: Camp Leap at • Repainted outside of the & Maintenance building building & purchased a new Nelson & Erin’s Pavilion & a brand new camp, Life • Replumbed the pools in Skills at Lincoln Park Pavilion washing machine Otter & Pace Nelson Center • New roof & siding on the • Special Recreation – 97 Special Olympic athletes • Installed new reception Australia building completed in sports in 2019 desk by Rink 1 with new • Updated the Birds of Prey • Zoo – Increased attendance of Winterland Holiday rubber flooring exhibit Lights by 30% vs. last year • Remodeled & repainted the • Installed new electric fence Franklin room in the Bear exhibit • Zoo – Partnered with Zara’s & 4 local High School Art • Replaced rooftop • Installed new heaters in all classes to paint the Zoo strollers Condenser for the outdoor holding areas • Zoo – From generous community donations, the refrigeration system to • Replumbed the filter in the Zoo was able to fund specific projects such as: increase overall efficiency Penguin dayroom pool horticultural needs, additional birthday/rental area, • New tile flooring in Franklin solar panel installation, free admission for opening Room & Kitchen weekend, caging for the Red Billed Hornbills exhibit, & transportation of animals

6 SPRINGFIELD PARK DISTRICT 2019 ANNUAL REPORT Preserving our Green spaces...

Investing in Your Parks

• Bunker improvements on numerous sand traps throughout • New ADA walkways installed at Douglas, Jaycee and Gietl golf courses • Lanphier Basketball Court Resurfacing • Implemented new preventative maintenance program on • New accessible registration and concrete plaza area for Bike Trail Bridges Iles Pickleball • Lincoln Greens Drainage Study • Kiwanis Park- Partnered with the International Soccer Club • Purchase of “My Turf” equipment management program to install a premium soccer field surface for our fleet services • Fairview Park- Overhaul of Diamond #2 • Douglas Park Playground Install and removal of 1994 • Riverside Park- Installed new BMX signage and concrete playground pads around the concession stand • Riverside Campground Bathroom and Shower house • Installed new cooling wall in greenhouses at Botanical upgrades, new signage and new electric to sites Garden • Barker Park Playground install • Constructed new exhibit for the Red Wolves at the Zoo • Douglas Park Disc Golf upgrades to concrete tee boxes, • Staff obtained professional certifications, including ADA baskets and design Coordinator & Playground Safety Inspector • Lincoln Park AIDS Memorial • Negotiated successful IGA with City of Springfield to • Partnered with AARP to install new outdoor Senior annex Centennial Park into the City exercise area at Lincoln Park • Created agreement with CACC to utilize greenhouse for • Bunn Admin Office ADA upgrades winter grow operations

Natural Resource Conservation & Wildlife Preservation Efforts

• Tool Wagon - Facilitated numerous volunteer park & community clean up projects • Tree Plantings - Planted 224 Trees in your parks • Trout Stocking at Washington & Southwind Park • Ground Squirrel - Continued management of habitat restoration project at Centennial Park to protect the endangered Franklin Ground Squirrel • Recycle over 20 tons of paper, plastic, cardboard, aluminum & glass every year • Maintain 322 acres of nature preserve • Nearly 300 volunteers performing 2200 hours of volunteer time from schools, churches, business & clubs • Maintaining the established Sangamon Bottoms Land & Water Reserve on 113 acres of property at Riverside Park. This has been surveyed & signage is up and clearly visible around the entire border • A number of invasive trees & shrubs have been removed district-wide & replace with native species. Pollinator gardens are also being established in six of our parks with the help of numerous volunteers.

2019 ANNUAL REPORT SPRINGFIELD PARK DISTRICT 7 Enriching Lives through High Quality Programs & Services

+ Recreation Programs Of fered Patrons and Families registered with our NEW Annual Memberships & online registration portal! Season Pass Holders 40010 Total Daily Visits at... ZOO MEMBERSHIPS BOTANICAL MEMBERSHIPS ENN RINN - 71,680 AR IRI - 64,671 Participants learned I IE AIN how to swim in - 3,275 Park District Pools GOLF PASS POOL PASS HOLDERS HOLDERS ARIN R - 384

Wedding & Reception Students learned skills Rentals took place in in Youth Hockey at our Parks & Facilities Nelson Center Ice Rink

Summer Camp Special Recreation Rounds of Golf played at Nelson Center Hockey Bunn, Lincoln Greens, Bergen Zoo Camps British Soccer and Pas eld Golf Courses St. Louis Cardnal MLB/Sliders Golf 8 SPRINGFIELD PARK DISTRICT 2019 ANNUAL REPORT Dynamically changing the brand of the Springfield Park District 1 Grew Facebook to 10,689 Followers.

Host over 11,373 interested parties who receive our 2 seasonal Constant Contact e-blasts. 2020 golf

Our NEW 2020 Golf Rates Created a new marketing partnership with Sinclair and Passes allow you to 3 Broadcast Group Inc. golf more and pay less! Four beautiful courses to choose from NEW! NEW unlimited cart included options Book your tee times online mega pass

Pick the Pass that’s right for YOU Now with an Unlimited Cart option at all four courses! NEW Business, Family, and Monthly Memberships (more information to follow) MEGA PASS GOLF ONLY Discount on hard and soft goods GOLF + CART Launched the new Online Registration Portal for SENIOR (62+) $725 Advance tee time reservations $1675* JUNIOR** $675 $1625* Save at local courses via the SUPER SENIOR (90+) $330 patrons to register for programming, purchase Central IL Reciprocal Golf Program N/A FREE Discount on CDGA Handicap Membership N/A *Individuals purchasing a Mega Pass with Unlimited Cart may passes and/or gift certificates all in one place - add a family member for $900/member - up to $775 savings! 4 **Junior Mega Pass: must be 6-18 years with valid proof of age. online. This portal also provides critical analytical For more information on our New 2020 rates + passes, call 217-786-4111 or visit: data to better our marketing efforts for programs. www.springfieldparkdistrictgolf.org

Partnered with SCHEELS and Downtown Springfield 5 Inc. on annual and seasonal family friendly events; growing our reach within the community.

Redesigned the seasonal activity and facility guide 6 as well as increased the content to 100 pages that includes information for all things Park District.

Hosted and facilitated a variety of Ribbon Cuttings 7 throughout the District.

In-House Graphic Designer creates thousands of 8 eye-catching, call-to-action marketing pieces to promote Programs, Facilities and Special Events. Botanical Garden Manager, Alexa Bryan Potts, at a SCHEELS event.

Tailored social media efforts based on analytics to 9 increase audience engagement. Dog Days Grew the Park District phone application to over of Summer! 1,097 downloads; the application has a new feature A P W-SITIVELY FUN DAY AT THE 10 that includes push notifications that we have PARK FOR YOU AND YOUR DOG! utilized to promote activities, events and special SATURDAY Come join the FUN... aug announcements. Sign up for Dogs on Ice Dogs 3rd Dog Adoptions: Friends of Sangamon Co. Animal Control, on ice! 8am - 11am Animal Protective League, All breeds are welcome Lincoln Park WILD Canine Rescue and Dogs must be 6 mo. old + and weigh 30lbs or less Paws for Life Springfield Heats based on weight K9 Demo by the Springfield Doggie swag bags Police Department Prizes for the winners Proof of vaccination is required Dog kissing booth by Register online Increased our social media marketing efforts and The Helping Paw Project by July 29th! Dog Paw Art Prints and $20 per dog “Dog’n Me” Photo Booth search Dogs on Ice at www.springfieldparksFUN.org strategies to include more photography and video Concessions by Kona Ice, 11 It’s All Good and the Jr. Blues components that have boosted engagement.

THANK YOU TO ALL OUR SPONSORS!

TITLE SPONSORS: MEDIA SPONSORS: PARK SUPPORTERS:

Worked with Primo Designs to create new District 1601 N. 5TH STREET, SPRINGFIELD, IL 62702 | WWW.SPRINGFIELDPARKSFUN.ORG | #SPRINGFIELDDOGDAYS 12 employee merchandise.

2019 ANNUAL REPORT SPRINGFIELD PARK DISTRICT 9 Improving Our Parks and Facilities through Broad Based Community Partnerships.

Partnerships & Affiliations

The Springfield Park District has developed numerous partnerships, affiliations, & agreements with individuals, business, organizations, & other government agencies that help to make our community a better place to live, work, & raise a family. The Springfield Park District would like to extend a warm thank you to all of our community partners who have dedicated time resources & expertise to make improvements in our parks and facilities.

Project based Partnerships

• AARP & FitLot – funded & built the FitLot Fitness • Master Gardners – established Pollinator Garden in Park in Lincoln Park Washington Park and at the Zoo • American Business Club – funded & presented new • Rochester, Chatham, & Sang County Highway bikes to recipients at the Zoo Dept – IGA for Emergency response, sponsorship & • Anonymous Donor – funded winter holiday lighting signage on trails & decorations at the Washington Park Gazebo & • Sangamon County – IGA for Electronic Citation Trolley turnaround Services • Blue Ridge Club – sublease agreement to provide • Sangamon Co. Circuit Clerk – developed & camping & baseball implemented Electronic Citation System • Carillon Society – funded a new video recording for • Sangamon Co. Election Office – provided three Carillon tourists polling places • Daylily Society & Sangamon Valley • Sangamon Valley Collections – transferred historic Iris Society – funded & volunteered to help with materials for preservation & public inspection the upkeep & the addition of new specimens of the • Senior Olympics – partnership with the Springfield Botanical Garden’s Monocot Garden Park District • City of Spfld – IGA for Stanford Ave. Improvements • Springfield Airport Authority – established ongoing & Ash Street underpass, Centennial Annexation partnership to lease Kennedy & Stuart Parks • Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln – • Springfield Chapter of the USO – funded family funded ADA picnic tables at the Zoo night at Winterland Holiday Lights • Fifth St Renaissance/SARA Center – AIDS memorial • Springfield Parks Foundation – funded District wide & labyrinth in Lincoln Park park improvements • Franklin Park Neighborhood Association – Barker • Springfield Pickleball Club – Iles Park Pickleball Park Development Court Resurfacing • Girls on the Run of Central Illinois – partnership with • Springfield Zoological Society – funded additional Erin’s Pavilion birthday & educational area, Binturong climbing • Henson Robinson Company – established structure, education signage & special events at the partnership at the Zoo Zoo • IDNR - stock nearly 3,000 pounds of trout in • Village of Chatham, Leland Grove, Southern View, Southwind & Washington Park Ponds & Rochester – IGA for Shared Law Enforcement • Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation – Services funded solar panels at the Zoo • Winterland Inc. – Winter Holiday Zoo Lights • Lincoln Land Down Syndrome Society – partnership with Erin’s Pavilion

10 SPRINGFIELD PARK DISTRICT 2019 ANNUAL REPORT Program based Partnerships

• Mid-American Collegiate Hockey Association (MACHA) • Annual Springfield Pickleball Tournament with over 250 Division 2 & 3 hockey tournament – Bradley University competitors – Springfield Pickleball Club • High School Hockey-High School Hockey League hosted • Senior Olympics to host over 2000 participants in many at Nelson Center – Lincoln Land High School Hockey of our facilities – Senior Services of Central IL & IL Senior Association Olympics • Hockey skills clinics, and a hockey camp for youth of • NCAA D2 Regional Championship Tournament at Robin Springfield and surrounding areas – Elite Hockey Roberts Stadium – University of Illinois Springfield & NCAA • Spirit Hockey Camp-Spirit Hockey Camp with Christian • 30 Sliders Games and over 40 High School Level Baseball faith services – Spirit Hockey Games at Robin Roberts Stadium – Springfield Sliders & • North exhibition and regular District 186 season hockey games hosted at Nelson Center – • MLB Kids Camp attended by over 250 kids at Robin Springfield Jr. Blues Roberts Stadium – Troxell Insurance & Springfield Sliders • Jr. Blues Youth hockey camp hosted at Nelson Center – • Springfield Disc Golf Springfield Jr. Blues, Springfield Figure Skating Club • Springfield Figure Skating Club • PGA HOPE League for Veterans (Helping Our Patriots • Springfield Youth Hockey Association Everywhere) – PGA of America • Springfield Cricket Club • Hosted children’s baseball camp at Rotary Park – • Springfield Youth Baseball St. Louis Cardinals • Fairview Baseball • Annual British Soccer Camp at Lincoln Park – • Springfield Rugby Club Challenger Sports • International Soccer Club

2019 ANNUAL REPORT SPRINGFIELD PARK DISTRICT 11 GIVE THE GIFT OF FUN!

The gift of experience is so much more valuable than “stuff!” Why not pay for a loved one’s season pass, hockey, zoo class or swimming lessons…?

Purchase a gift certificate today!

It will be a great surprise for any special occasion or the upcoming holiday season!

To buy a gift certificate, call or stop by your nearest Park District Facility.