Awards & Recognition

Illinois Park and Recreation Association (IPRA)

• Agency Showcase Marketing Awards
  • Logo Design – 1st place
  • Video Short Form – 2nd place
  • Social Media Campaign – 3rd place
  • Written Content – 5th place
  • Table Display – 5th place

Audubon International

• Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program (ACSP) Recertification – Heritage Oaks Golf Club

Golf Range Association of America

• Top 50 Public Range – Heritage Oaks Golf Club
• Top 100 “Growth of the Game” Teaching Professional – Michael Wenzel

Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) of the United States and Canada

• Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for 2023

Illinois Arts Council (IAC) Agency

• $15,000 grant for General Operating Support & Youth Employment
• $3,390 grant from Federal Funds through the National Endowment for the Arts Grant – Youth Employment

Illinois Association of Park Districts (IAPD)

• 2024 Best of the Best Awards
  • Mary Ann Chambers, Board Service – 25 Years
  • Michael Schyman, Board Service – 15 Years
  • Best Green Practices
  • Mady Fern, Citizen Volunteer of the Year
• 2024 Give Us Your Best Shot Photo Contest Awards
  • Marybeth Stone, Sports Category – 1st Place
  • Sally Norlie, Recreation/People at Play Category – 1st Place

Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR)

• $2.8 million Park and Recreational Facility Construction (PARC) grant for Leisure Center renovation
• $600,000 Open Space Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) grant for Meadowhill Aquatic Center upgrades
• $200,000 grant from the Illinois Bicycle Path Grant Program for the paths at Techny Prairie Park and Fields
• $600,000 Open Space Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) grant for West Park

Illinois Park and Recreation Association (IPRA)

• Agency Showcase Marketing Awards
  • Print Communication – 1st place
  • Marketing Campaign – 4th place
  • Video Short Form – 4th place
• 2024 Outstanding Special Event – Paint the Prairie

PING, Inc.

• PING Power Fitter Award – John Billiter

PGA of America

• 2024 Game Changer Award in the Player Engagement Category – Michael Wenzel

Audubon International

• Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program (ACSP) – Techny Prairie Park and Fields and Wood Oaks Green Park

Chicago Golf Report

• #3 Public Golf Course Clubhouses – Heritage Oaks Golf Club in Chicago Golf Report Top 10 Public Golf Course Clubhouses opens in new tab

Daily Herald – Glenbrook Readers’ Choice Awards

• Best Golf Course – Heritage Oaks Golf Club
• Best Driving Range – Heritage Oaks Golf Club

Golf Range Association of America

• Top 50 Public Range – Heritage Oaks Golf Club
• Top 100 “Growth of the Game” Teaching Professional – Michael Wenzel

Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA)

• Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting (Received annually since 1993)
• Distinguished Budget Presentation Award (Received annually since 2000)

Illinois Arts Council Agency

• Illinois Arts Council Agency – $9,600 grant for performing arts program support at Northbrook Theatre

Illinois Association of Park Districts (IAPD) Awards

• Best of the Best Awards: Arts in the Park and Best Green Practices

Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR)

• $600,000 Open Space Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) Grant from IDNR for Williamsburg Square Park

Illinois Park and Recreation Association (IPRA) Awards

• Molly Hamer – Professional of the Year
• Agency Showcase Marketing Awards
  • Overall Agency Showcase, 2nd Place
  • People’s Choice Award for table display – 1st place
  • Marketing Campaign – 1st place
  • Paid Advertisement – 1st place
  • Video Long Form – 1st place
  • Integrated Photography – 3rd place
  • Large Format Marketing – 3rd place
  • Social Media Campaign – 3rd place
  • Paid Advertisement – 3rd place

Athletic Business

• 2022 Facility of Merit – Techny Prairie Activity Center

Audubon International

• Recertification as a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary – Heritage Oaks Golf Club

Chicago Golf Report

• #1 Public Driving Range in Chicago (Top 10 Public Course Driving Ranges) – Heritage Oaks Golf Club Driving Range in Chicago’s Top-10 Public Course Driving Ranges

ComEd

• Energy Efficiency Grants throughout the District totaling $939,120.86 

Daily Herald – Glenbrook Readers’ Choice Awards

• Best Theatre – Northbrook Theatre
• Best Golf Course – Heritage Oaks Golf Club
• Best Driving Range – Heritage Oaks Golf Club
• Best Business Lunch – Acorn Grill + Terrace
• Best Outdoor Dining – Acorn Grill + Terrace

Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA)

• Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting (Received annually since 1993)
• Distinguished Budget Presentation Award (Received annually since 2000)

Illinois Arts Council Agency

• Illinois Arts Council Agency – $11,300 grant for Northbrook Theatre

Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR)

• $400,000 Open Space Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) Grant for Oaklane Park

Illinois Governors Conference on Tourism

• Heritage Oaks Golf Club – Best Branding Initiative

Illinois Green Alliance

• Net Zero Honor Roll – Techny Prairie Activity Center

Moody’s Investors Service

• Moody’s Investors Service has assigned a Aaa rating to Northbrook Park District, IL’s $7.5 million General Obligation Limited Tax Park Bonds, Series 2022.

New Buildings Institute

• Techny Prairie Activity Center – Verified Net Zero Facility (3rd Verified Net Zero Facility in Illinois)

Village of Northbrook

• Northbrook Park District – Green Business of the Year Award

Illinois Association of Park Districts (IAPD) Best of the Best Awards

• Best Green Practices
• Arts in the Park

Glenbrook Readers’ Choice Awards

• Best Theatre – Northbrook Theatre
• Best Golf Course – Heritage Oaks Golf Club
• Best Driving Range – Heritage Oaks Golf Club

Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA)

• Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting (Received annually since 1993)
• Distinguished Budget Presentation Award (Received annually since 2000)

Illinois Park and Recreation Association (IPRA)

• Outstanding Park & Facility Award

Club Marketing & Management Services International

• Techny Prairie Activity Center – New Fitness and Recreation Facility of the Year

Passive House Institute US (PHIUS)

• PHIUS+ and Source Zero Certification
• Honorable Mention – Design Competiton

Illinois Green Alliance

• Illinois Net Zero Honor Roll Watch List

Illinois Park and Recreation Association (IPRA) Agency Showcase

• 2nd Place – Techny Prairie Activity Center Dedication (Video Long Format)
• 3rd Place – Techny Prairie Activity Center Educational Signage (Large Format Marketing)

Illinois Park and Recreation Association (IPRA) Awards

• Exceptional Workplace Award
• Agency Showcase Marketing Awards
  • First Place for Public Relations – Teams Elite Media Coverage
  • Most Engaging (Showcase 10th Anniversary Category) – 2017 4th of July Parade 90th Anniversary Balloon entry
  • Retro Brochure: Best Photography (Showcase 10th Anniversary Category) – 1989 Spring Guide

IAPD/IPRA Give Us Your Best Shot Photo Contest

• Third Place – Northbrook Community Musical Photo “Newsies Unite”
• Third Place – Teams Elite Junior Photo “Death Spiral”

Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA)

• Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting (Received annually since 1993)
• Distinguished Budget Presentation Award (Received annually since 2000)

Northbrook Sports Center Ice Skating

• Junior 2nd Place – Spring Cup (Milan, Italy)
• Junior 5th Place – French Cup (Rouen, France)

*ISU Challenger Series

• Junior 3rd Place
  *Teams Elite Junior was named to the World Junior team to represent the U.S. at the 2020 ISU World Junior Synchronized Skating Championships.

Midwestern Synchronized Skating Sectional Championships

• Preliminary 1st Place
• Pre-Juvenile 1st Place
• Juvenile 1st Place
• Intermediate 1st Place
• Novice 1st Place

Illinois Park and Recreation Association (IPRA) Awards

• Agency Showcase Marketing Awards
  • First Place for Marketing Campaign – Community Musical The Wizard of Oz
  • First Place for Print Communication (Informational) – Stewardship Report
  • Second Place for Website – nbparks.org

Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA)

• Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting (Received annually since 1993)
• Distinguished Budget Presentation Award (Received annually since 2000)

Northbrook Sports Center Ice Skating

• Spring Cup (Milan, Italy)
  • Junior 1st place
• Midwestern & Pacific Coast Synchro Skating Sectionals (Kalamazoo, MI)
  • Novice 1st place
  • Intermediate 1st place
  • Juvenile 1st place
  • Pre-Juvenile 2nd place/3rd place finish
• Colonial Classic (Lowell, MA)
  • Junior 1st place
  • Novice 1st place
  • Intermediate 1st place
  • Juvenile 1st place
• Foot of the Lake Synchronized Skating Classic (Fond du Lac, WI)
  • Pre-Juvenile 2nd place
  • Synchro Skills 3rd place
• 24th Annual Porter Classic (Ann Arbor, MI)
  • Preliminary 2nd place
  • Pre-Juvenile 1st place
  • Juvenile 1st place
  • Intermediate 1st place
  • Novice 2nd place
  • Junior 4th place

Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA)

• Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting (Received annually since 1993)
• Distinguished Budget Presentation Award (Received annually since 2000)

Northbrook Park District’s website—nbparks.org

September: Northbrook Park District’s website received the 2018 WebAward for Outstanding Achievement in Web Development.
April: The website received a Silver Award in the Government Agency category of the Horizon Interactive Media Awards.

Sportsman’s Country Club
Sportsman’s named 2018 North Shore Reader’s Choice Award – Best Driving Range
District’s PGA Pro Michael Wenzel named among the Best Young Teachers in America Under 40 by Golf Digest

Board of Commissioners
Northbrook Park District Commissioner Penelope Randel was awarded with the Mike Cassidy Commissioner Community Service Award from The Illinois Association of Park Districts (IAPD)

Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA)

• Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting (Received annually since 1993)
• Distinguished Budget Presentation Award (Received annually since 2000)

Risk Management
Park District Risk Management Agency (PDRMA) acknowledges Northbrook Park District’s comprehensive risk management practices with continued accreditation after Park District scores 97.74% on 2017 Loss Control Review (LCR).

Northbrook Sports Center Pool
Illinois Park and Recreation Association (IPRA) Outstanding Facility & Parks Division II Award for outstanding achievements in recreation facility design and development

Northbrook Sports Center
Northbrook Sports Center awarded Jewel-Osco/Kraft Heinz $20K #Hockeyville Jewel Sweepstakes – purchases new hockey scoreboards

Sportsman’s Country Club
Sportsman’s named North Shore Reader’s Choice Award – Best Driving Range
District’s PGA Pro Michael Wenzel ranks #12 on Best Golf Teachers in Illinois from Golf Digest

Northbrook Sports Center Ice Skating

Kalamazoo Kickoff Classic, Kalamazoo, MI
Juvenile 3^rd place
Pre-Juvenile 1^st place
Beginner 1^st place
Dr. Richard Porter Synchronized Classic, Ann Arbor, MI
Juvenile 1^st place
Pre-Juvenile 1^st place
Beginner 1^st place
Foot of the Lake Synchronized Classic Fond du Lac, WI
Pre-Juvenile 1^st place
Beginner 1^st place
Synchro IL
Novice 1^st place
Juvenile 1^st place
Pre-Juvenile 1^st place
Beginner 1^st place
Mids – Fargo, ND
Novice 2^nd place
Juvenile 3^rd place
Pre-Juvenile 1^st place
Freeze – Glenview, IL
Beginner 1^st place
Nationals – Rockford, IL
Juvenile 3^rd place

Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA)

• Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting (Received annually since 1993)
• Distinguished Budget Presentation Award (Received annually since 2000)

Marketing and Communications Department
Third-Place Award for Electronic Communication, —Illinois Park and Recreation Association (IPRA) Agency Showcase

Northbrook Sports Center Ice Skating

• Synchro Skills 1 – Undefeated Season
• Pre-Juvenile – Midwestern Sectional Champions (Grand Forks, ND)
• Juvenile – Midwestern Bronze Medalists (Grand Forks, ND)
• Juvenile – National Bronze Medalists (Rockford, IL)
• Novice – Midwestern Silver Medalists (Grand Forks, ND)
• Novice – 5^th out of 13 (Rockford, IL)

Parks Department
Public Sector Energy Project Award: District received grant from Metropolitan Mayors Caucus Public Sector Energy Efficiency Program (PSEE) for $42,270.68

Performing Arts Department/Marketing and Communications Department
Outstanding Program Award from Illinois Park and Recreation Association (IPRA) for Oliver! the Musical

Sportsman’s Country Club
Mark Kosbab, Sportsman’s Golf Course Superintendent, awarded Environmental Leaders in Golf Award by the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America and Golf Digest

Aquatic Staff: Meadowhill Aquatic Center and Northbrook Sports Center Pool
5-Star Lifeguard Award from Starfish Aquatics Institute

Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA)

• Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting (Received annually since 1993)
• Distinguished Budget Presentation Award (Received annually since 2000)

Human Resources/ Marketing and Communication Department
Workplace Wellness Award—Illinois Park and Recreation Association (IPRA)

Marketing and Communications Department
First-Place Award for Electronic Communication, Third Place for Brochure Series—Illinois Park and Recreation Association (IPRA) Agency Showcase
Give Us Your Best Shot Photo Award (IPRA)—Second Place for Sports and Recreation categories

Northbrook Sports Center Ice Skating 

• Pre-Juvenile – Midwestern Sectional Bronze Medalists (Portland, OR)
• Juvenile – Midwestern Sectional Silver Medalists (Portland, OR)
• Juvenile – National Silver Medalists (Kalamazoo, MI)
• Intermediate – Midwestern Sectional Silver Medalists (Portland, OR)
• Intermediate – National Pewter Medalists (Kalamazoo, MI)

Sportsman’s Country Club
Achieved designation as Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary through Audubon International
Michael Wenzel, PGA Director of Instruction, received Top 50 Kids Teacher Award from U.S. Kids Golf (third time), designated Master Kids Teacher

Aquatic Staff: Meadowhill Aquatic Center and Northbrook Sports Center Pool
5-Star Lifeguard Award from Starfish Aquatics Institute

Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA)

• Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting (Received annually since 1993)
• Distinguished Budget Presentation Award (Received annually since 2000)

Marketing and Communications Department
Second-Place Award for Marketing Paid Ad and Electronic Communication—Illinois Park and Recreation Association (IPRA) Agency Showcase
Give Us Your Best Shot Photo Awards (IPRA)—First Place for Sports

Northbrook Sports Center Skating Programs
Teams Elite—ISI National Synchronized Skating Champions

• Youth Formation
• Youth Advanced Formation
• Youth Skating

Sportsman’s Country Club
Michael Wenzel, PGA Director of Instruction, received Top 50 Kids Teacher Award from U.S. Kids Golf
Sportsman’s Country Club received Certificate of Achievement for Water Conservation from Audubon International

Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA)

• Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting (Received annually since 1993)
• Distinguished Budget Presentation Award (Received annually since 2000)

Marketing and Communications Department
First-Place Award Print Communication, Third-Place Award for Marketing Campaign—Illinois Park and Recreation Association (IPRA) Agency Showcase

Parks and Planning Department
Received accreditation, highest award from Park District Risk Management Agency (PDRMA)

Performing Arts Department
Awarded $10,025 grant from Illinois Arts Council Agency for Northbrook Theatre operating support

Northbrook Sports Center
2013 Outstanding Facility Award for National Event Participation from Ice Skating Institute
Teams Elite—ISI National Synchronized Skating Champions

• Jr. Youth Formation
• Youth Advanced Formation
• Youth Skating
• Senior Youth Skating

Leisure Services Supervisor Heather Aseltine inducted into the Park District Sports Hall of Fame

Sportsman’s Country Club
Michael Wenzel, PGA Director of Instruction, named “One of Best Teachers in State” by Golf Digest

Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA)

• Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting (Received annually since 1993)
• Distinguished Budget Presentation Award (Received annually since 2000)

Marketing and Communications Department
First-Place Awards for Overall Showcase, Social Media and Green Marketing—Illinois Park and Recreation Association (IPRA) Agency Showcase

Northbrook Sports Center/Marketing and Communications Department
Northbrook-On-Ice—2012 Outstanding Special Event Award from Illinois Park and Recreation Association (IPRA)

Sportsman’s Country Club
Michael Wenzel, PGA Director of Instruction, received 2012 Top 50 Kids Teacher Award from U.S. Kids Golf
Two PGA Pros honored for custom club fitting—named PING Regional Club Fitter of the Year

Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA)

• Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting (Received annually since 1993)
• Distinguished Budget Presentation Award (Received annually since 2000)

Marketing and Communications Department
“Give Us Your Best Shot” First Place Award in photo contest, Sports category—Illinois Park and Recreation Association (IPRA)

Northbrook Sports Center 
Selected by Ice Skating Institute (ISI) to host national event—Winter Classic

Northbrook Sports Center—Teams Elite
ISI National Synchro Jr. Youth Formation Champions
ISI National Synchro Youth Skating Champions

Northbrook Sports Center—Icette Program
ISI National Synchro Dance Sr. Youth Champions
ISI National Synchro Dance Teen Champions

Parks Department
Village Green Field Named Schools and Parks Baseball Field of the Year—Sports Turf Managers Association

Performing Arts Department
Illinois Arts Council Grant of $10,000 (15th consecutive year for grant)

Sportsman’s Country Club 
Michael Wenzel, PGA Director of Instruction, received 2011 Junior Golf Leader Award from the Illinois PGA

Aquatic Staff: Meadowhill Aquatic Center and Northbrook Sports Center Pool
5-Star Lifeguard Award from Starfish Aquatics Institute

Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA)

• Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting (Received annually since 1993)
• Distinguished Budget Presentation Award (Received annually since 2000)

Human Resources Department
Illinois Park and Recreation Association (IPRA) “No Employee Left Behind Award” for commitment to employees’ well-being

Leisure Services Department/Marketing and Communications Department
Illinois Parks and Recreation Association (IPRA) Outstanding Special Event Award for Winter Carnival

Northbrook Speed Skating Club Olympians
Three speedskaters from Northbrook Sports Center competed in Winter Olympics:

• Brian Hansen—silver medal in Men’s Long Track Team Pursuit
• Lana Gehring—bronze medal in Women’s Short Track Relay
• Mitch Whitmore—36th in Men’s Long Track 500 meter event

Northbrook Sports Center—Teams Elite
ISI National Synchro Youth Skating Champions

Northern Suburban Special Recreation Association (NSSRA) Shining Star 2010 Partner Agency of the Year

Performing Arts Department
Illinois Arts Council Grant of $8,000

U.S. Olympians compete in 2010 Winter Games