Rhonda Ansier
Park District Commissioner

I have had the extreme pleasure to serve the Naperville community as a Park District Commissioner since 2021. This position has provided a wonderful learning opportunity, and we are fortunate to be a part of such a vibrant community with an excellent park district. My goal for re-election is to help take the district to the next level!

Achievements
Parks and Recreation Committee Chair
While serving as chair of the Parks and Recreation Committee, I have had the opportunity to “hear it first” about programs, new projects, and parks updates before bringing them to the full board. It is a great way to not only learn more about how everything comes together, but to ask important questions, suggest changes, and gain a better understanding of what is needed to make things happen for the community.

Attendance at Conferences
By attending the National Association of Park Districts (NAPD) conference in 2021 and the annual Illinois Association of Park Districts (IAPD), I have learned so much about what makes great Park Districts and good board stewardship. By learning about and seeing what other boards and districts are doing, I have gained a better understanding of the relationship between commissioner and park district staff so that we can work together to better serve the community’s needs.

Parks and Facilities Openings
I have had the great pleasure to help support the opening of new park facilities and redesigns of playgrounds, such as the fitness courts at the Frontier Sports Complex, the redesign of the Brush Hill neighborhood playground, opening the Rothermel Family Skate Facility, and celebrating the 10th Anniversary of Knoch Knolls Nature Center with the dedication of the Frank J. Russ Pavilion.

Board Stewardship
While serving on the board, I have had the extreme pleasure of working with and hearing directly from the community in order to make decisions on what projects to approve and introduce. I had the privilege of being a part of the three year park Master Plan review, the Ron J. Ory Garden Plots Master Plan, the Indoor Space Needs Assessment, the Gold Star Families Memorial Monument and Donor’s Stone approval, and the development of a new basketball court in Winding Creek per resident request.

Additionally, I introduced and helped implement the Commissioner’s Challenge, which is an initiative to help board members get out in front of the community to encourage use of the park amenities and events attendance to help bring the community together.

Inclusion Initiatives
Along with fellow commissioners, initiated conversations and rallied support to bring the park district’s already existing inclusion practices to the forefront, and suggesting improvements to become an even more inclusive and supportive district to the entire community of Naperville. Because of this, the district has started working towards developing a committee dedicated to working with diverse community groups and improving visibility, demonstrating the welcoming and supportive nature of the Park District.

Looking Ahead
Goals for the Future

Visibility
”Keep Your Eyes on the Park District!”
To serve the community, we need the community! Community input is the single most helpful resource we have as a board. Some of the best moments of this past term have been when members of the community have come to meetings and participated in surveys and open houses. I have learned exactly how well the Naperville Park District is run, and we cannot do it without YOU! My goal is the further encourage community participation not only in the amazing programming and parks, but to encourage active engagement with the board so that we may better serve you! I started the Commissioner’s Challenge for this very reason: Join us! Come to events! Know our names and engage us in conversations to let us know what we can do for you!
Community Building
”Meet Me At the Parks!”
I am SO excited to see what’s next for Naperville! The Indoor Needs Assessment was conducted over the last year with incredible participation. As a second-term commissioner, I look forward to taking this feedback and seeing what we can do further for the community based on YOUR feedback! Additionally, I will continue to encourage the Park District Leadership to continue to partner with and sponsor more community events, perhaps even creating new ones focused on health and wellness of the body and mind.

Inclusion Initiatives
”We Are Better Together!”
Ever since it’s conception in 1964 and inception in 1966, the Naperville Park District has always strived to add more and more facilities and programs that would appeal, and be accessible, to the community. Some examples are: Adding a community gathering place (The Barn) for teens in 1965 in partnership with the Youth Organization, Inc, Creating the Western DuPage Special Recreation Association (WDSRA) in 1976 with neighboring Park Districts, and adding and ADA lift to Centennial Beach in 2011. On top of this are the many developed programs and events centered around our diverse culture, such as offering Bollywood Dance classes, adding cricket pitches to the parks, continued efforts to maintain and update all facilities to meet ADA standards, and increased use and promotion of the Fee Assistance program. Inclusion is the in the DNA of the Park District.

During my current tenure, I had several opportunities to speak with the senior leadership to discuss how we can further promote our inclusion initiatives and to take them to the next level. This will be a specific focus for me, as we are just scratching the surface and can do so much more to reach our ever-changing and growing community. Programming for elder adults, improved teen outreach, increased fee assistance use and funding, and partnerships with local cultural festivals are a priority for my next term if re-elected.