There's always something going on at the Wilmette Park District and we're committeed to keeping you up-to-date on the latest programs, special events, registration deadlines and other issues that might have an impact on your recreational activities. Check our Calendar to find out what's going on in the parks and at our facilities. And if you have questions or comments please send us a message.

Sunday, August 8
Power of exercise is the focus of free program aimed at combatting common and preventable diseases 

     The adult obesity rate in Illinois rose to 26.6% in 2009, nearly a full percentage point higher than the previous year, according to a report recently released by the Robert Johnson Woods Foundation. That makes the state 26th in the nation for this mostly preventable condition. Illinois also ranked 21st in diabetes prevalence; 19th in physical inactivity and 23rd in hypertension. 
     The Wilmette Park District’s Center Fitness Club is taking some major strides in tackling these statistics. "We want to help build a healthy community for all of our residents," said assistant fitness manager Rick Miller. "In addition to the state-of-the-art facilities and classes we offer, we are committed to providing ongoing education and outreach to help our residents build healthier, better lives."
     To that end, on Sunday, Aug. 8, at noon, the Fitness Center will host Dr. Ruth Anderson, MD, MS, speaking on the power of exercise and its ability to prevent and cure disease. Dr. Anderson, who is board certified in both anesthesiology and pain medicine, is also an exercise physiologist. The free lecture will focus on six common and preventable diseases: arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, osteoporosis, and chronic pain (low back pain).
     According to Anderson, exercise is the most effective prescription she can give her patients struggling with these diseases, and in her new book GET MOVING! Live Better, Live Longer, Anderson provides a step-by-step, medically-based exercise guide and program for anyone to follow.
     Anderson will speak about why exercise is so powerful in the battle of disease prevention and cure. She will demonstrate exercise programs that can get anyone started towards their goals. She will sign books after her presentation. Some of her key points include:

• Every exercise session has a blood pressure lowering effect that can last for up to 22 hours
• Every exercise session can lower your body’s blood sugar for up to 72 hours
• Joint pain and disability from arthritis can be minimized and even eliminated with the right exercise program
• Exercise can prevent and even reverse bone loss

     For more information regarding Dr. Anderson’s lecture, call the Wilmette Park District’s Center Fitness Club at 847-920-3901.

New opportunities for people with disabilities
to enjoy Gillson Park and Beaches 

     Access to Wilmette’s Gillson Park and Beach has been enhanced by a number of options available to persons with disabilities who wish to enjoy the lakefront. The Wilmette Park District and the Wilmette Commission for Persons with Disabilities would like to call attention to some improvements that can make a trip to the beach or park more fun and less frustrating.
     Two plastic beach mat runners, in place throughout the summer season, make it possible to navigate over sandy terrain. A 250-foot long mat runs from the beach house to the shore on the swimming beach, offering mobility-impaired sunbathers and swimmers a flat, supportive, surface to transverse the beach to the water edge. A similar 300-foot long plastic mat is on the sailing beach to assist mobility-impaired sailors, family or patrons.
     An all-terrain manual wheelchair (beach access chair), designed to negotiate sand, water and pavement, is available to patrons who want to assist disabled friends or family members in the enjoyment of the beach and water. The beach access chair provides transport from the parking lot directly into the water. The beach access chair is available upon request in the beach house. Supervision is required. Coast Guard Approved Life Jackets are also available for adults and children throughout the season upon request at the beach house.
     Planning a picnic in the park with family and friends? Wheelchair accessible picnic tables are available at the south and north ends of the Gillson Park Overlook Drive. Each table is adjacent to handicapped parking spaces. A seasonal lakefront parking decal, or Village of Wilmette sticker, is required for vehicles parked on the Overlook Drive. Without a decal or sticker you risk receiving a ticket.
     For additional information on these lakefront resources from the Wilmette Park District, please contact Lakeview Center at 847-256-9656, or Lakefront Manager Holly Specht at 847-256-9659.

Board names new Executive Director
Stephen Wilson's appointment takes effect Jan.1, 2011

     Stephen Wilson has been named Executive Director of the Wilmette Park District, effective January 1, 2011, the Board of Park Commissioners has announced. Wilson succeeds Thomas Grisamore who will retire from his position as Executive Director on December 31, 2010. Grisamore has worked for the Park District since 1972.
      “The Board has the highest regard for Tom Grisamore’s dedication to the Park District and leadership through nearly four decades of service to our community,” said Dennis O’Malley, president of the Board of Park Commissioners. “We will miss his depth of knowledge and expertise.” Grisamore has been the fifth superintendent/director in the Park District’s more than 100-year-old history.  
     “Looking forward, we are delighted that Steve Wilson has agreed to accept the job as the district’s Executive Director,” O’Malley said. “We know our residents can look forward to a continuation and expansion of the district’s quality programs and services.”
     “I am excited and grateful for the opportunity to serve this community in a new role,” said Wilson. “The park boards and staff that preceded me built a highly regarded district that I look forward to guiding for years to come.”
     Wilson, 33, joined the Park District in 2007 after serving as Accounting Manager for the Skokie Park District. A Certified Public Accountant, he also worked as an auditor for several park districts prior to his work in Skokie. Wilson’s duties have included overseeing all financial aspects of Park District operations as well as human resources matters.
     Wilson spearheaded the Park District’s recent technology upgrades which allow it to better serve Park District patrons. One of his top priorities will be the development of a Lakefront Master Plan—addressing user and safety issues along the entire public stretch of land from Langdon Park to the Wilmette Harbor. 
     “I am looking forward to working with our staff and the elected board members to help them continue the Park District’s record of being responsive to the wishes of the community,” said Wilson.
     Grisamore, 65, was born and raised in Wilmette. He came to the Park District via a merger between the Village of Wilmette’s Recreation Department and the Wilmette Park District in 1972. Since joining the Park District Grisamore served as Assistant Superintendent of Programs, Superintendent of Leisure Services, and Superintendent of Facilities and Recreation. 
     Recreation has come a long way since he started working in the business, Grisamore said. Expectations for quality programs are now high, and competition from private industry—especially in the areas of summer camps, golf and fitness—demand a careful balance of fees and program content. “We have seen a growth in the cooperation of facility use and independent contractor services to get a better product for our residents,” he noted.
     The Park District’s unique relationship with Wilmette Public School Districts 39 and 37 has allowed it to provide affordable programming, Grisamore said. “We are unusual (compared to other communities) in the way we work with the school districts which allow us to use some of their facilities when the schools are not in use. It lets us keep our programs affordable while sharing community resources, which is a big plus for the taxpayers.”
      “This has been a great 38 year run,” said Grisamore, adding he leaves the directorship in good hands. “The professional staff is a good mix of long term employees and newer, younger staff members who bring fresh ideas to the community.”
     Wilson is a graduate of the University of Illinois-Champaign and a native of south suburban Matteson. In his off time Wilson likes to play golf, basketball and spend time with his wife and two children. He currently lives in the northwest suburbs.