Buffalo Grove Park District Receives Statewide Recognition

Press release from Buffalo Grove Park District:

Feb. 8, 2021

The Buffalo Grove Park District has been seen as a leader in parks and recreation by many professionals in the field for decades. The agency’s staff and Board of Commissioners have been consistently recognized throughout the years by the industry’s state and national associations for their leadership, innovation and excellent performance.

Even during these difficult times, this year has been no different. At their annual state conference, held virtually this year due to the pandemic, Buffalo Grove Park District Board President Dr. Larry Reiner, and superintendent of communications and marketing Mike Terson were both recognized for their leadership.

Buffalo Grove Park District Commissioner and State Senator Adriane Johnson had been serving as the Illinois Association of Park Districts (IAPD) Board Chairman this past year. At the IAPD annual business meeting on Saturday, January 30, as the outgoing Board Chairman, Johnson presented Dr. Larry Reiner with the esteemed Chairman’s Citation for his many years of dedication to the field, and the impact he has had throughout the state.

“Dr. Reiner has worked tirelessly for decades on behalf of not just the people of Buffalo Grove, but everyone in Illinois,” said Johnson. She added, “He has been instrumental in helping to get legislation passed that has funded many grants, and he’s been a champion for people with disabilities. Throughout his 33 year career as Park Board Commissioner, Dr. Reiner’s impact will forever be appreciated and admired by the people of Illinois.”

Dr. Reiner said, “I am greatly honored to be receiving this award from Senator Adrianne Johnson. It has been a pleasure to serve with her. Having over 50 years in the field, I have met many great people - so dedicated, so giving, so creative, and so genuine. To be recognized like this is very humbling, and I am deeply appreciative.”

Also announced at the annual State Conference were the Illinois Park and Recreation Association (IPRA) section awards. Every year, the different association sections (Administration and Finance, Communications and Marketing, Diversity, Facility Management, Parks and Natural Resource Management, Recreation, and Therapeutic Recreation) award one section member with their Distinguished Member Award. This year, the IPRA Communication and Marketing Section named Buffalo Grove Park District superintendent of communications and marketing Mike Terson as their 2020 Distinguished Member Award recipient.

“What a true honor it is to be recognized by the people who also do what you do,” said Terson. “If it weren’t for the great leadership we have here with Ryan Risinger and our Board of Commissioners, and my incredibly talented coworkers that I am lucky enough to work with every day, I wouldn’t be able to do the things I have been able to do with our state association. I am honored to be recognized like this by my colleagues throughout Illinois, who are some of the most talented and creative people I’ve ever known.”

Buffalo Grove Park District executive director Ryan Risinger said, “I couldn’t be more proud of Mike. Not only is he a leader at our agency, but for years he has stepped up to lead amongst his peers in the profession. When it comes to corporate sponsorship, Mike has presented at multiple conferences, and is considered to be one of the best in our field. People at other districts throughout the state – and even outside of Illinois – seek Mike out for help and guidance, and he always makes time for everyone.”

Other Buffalo Grove Park District staff members who were acknowledged at the conference were recreation supervisor Allison Oberst, who finished her term on the IPRA Recreation Section Board, and Fitness Center general manager Joe Zimmermann, who is the incoming director of the IPRA Facility and Management Section.

Risinger said, “It is great to see so many people from our agency consistently stepping up to be leaders within our state association. Joe is our newest fulltime staff member, who came to us from the Vernon Hills Park District; and, already he is making a huge impact as the general manager of the Fitness Center. And, Allison has been with us since she was an intern, and has taken on many different roles over the years. I am pleased to see their talents being utilized in ways that benefit our profession.” Risinger added, “Adriane Johnson took on more leadership roles in 2020 than anyone I have ever seen. In addition to serving much of the year as our Park Board President, she became a member of the State Senate; and, as if all that wasn’t enough, especially during a pandemic, she maintained her position as the IAPD Board Chairman, and did an exemplary job. Buffalo Grove was well represented in 2020.”

This press release was produced by Buffalo Grove Park District. The views expressed here are the author's own.