Vision/ Mission, Goals and Objectives Mission Statement We provide a balance of quality recreation and leisure opportunities while protecting assets, natural resources and open space for the benefit of present and future generations. Vision Statement We help build an active, vibrant community identity and a sustainable environment by promoting healthy lifestyles for residents of all ages and abilities through quality recreation services, parks, facilities, programs and partnerships that meet the highest standards of excellence. By 2014, the Winnetka Park District will be known for being the nexus for promoting healthy lifestyles, having become the hub for the best recreation and leisure opportunities for residents of all ages and abilities. The following four goals and their associated initiatives will help us accomplish this internal vision:
The strategies and tactics that address these Goals, objectives and initiatives are written to ensure a plan is in place to address the completion of the Initiatives in this plan. Goal 1: improve our programming reach and frequency of use in a way that aligns with community feedback and fiscal stewardship. Objective 1:
Expand options for sites/land to support a full range of offerings
Initiative 1a:
Strategically acquire/divest land to secure more options for programming and open space
Initiative 1b:
Complete the Skokie playfields master plan to secure all options for programming and open space
Initiative 1c:
Improve the utilization of our business district parks through intergovernmental collaboration • Create a destination park • Consider future access
Objective 2:
Improve current offerings to broaden and deepen our reach to all ages and abilities
Initiative 2a:
Find solutions to the aquatic needs of our community in a way that aligns with our mission and with fiscal stewardship
Initiative 2b:
Explore options for bike-walk trails across our geography • East / West • Skokie playfield / golf course • Use of intergov’t collaborations with the village and forest preserve district
Initiative 2c:
Improve our outdoor ice offerings
Goal 1 By 2014, improve our programming reach and frequency of use to align with community feedback and fiscal sterwardship Objective 1 Expand options for sites/land to support a full range of offerings Initiative 1a Strategically acquire/divest land to secure more options for programming and open space Strategies 1. Identify open space to determine value to be added to the inventory of the park district to be used for programs 2. Establish a timeline for the pursuit of the future use of the landfill Complete Skokie Playfield Masterplan Strategies 1. Develop a timeline for the initiation of the Skokie Playfield Masterplan 2. Create a study with the LAKOTA planners to understand water management issues 3. Board approval and prioritization of projects to be completed on the Skokie Playfield 4. Work with the golf staff to determine alternative ways to use the course during the off season. Initiative 1 c Improve the utilization of our business district parks in collaboration with other organizations Strategies 1. Identify how the Village might participate in the process of developing Hubbard Woods and Dwyer Parks 2. Begin a planning process related to the HW shelter and overall site plan with Village, BCDC and the Plan Comm. 3. Establish a schedule for the planning and future use of Dwyer Park
Goal 1 - Objective 2 Improve curent offerings to broaden and deepen our reach to all ages and abilities Initiative 2a Find solutions to the aquatic needs of our community in a way that aligns with our mission and with fiscal stewardship Strategies 1. Discuss aquatic options with New Trier HS 2. Facilitate partnerships with public and private sector organizations and facilities to provide aquatic experiences 3. Develop new program opportunities using the lakefront facilities Initiative 2 b Explore options for bike-walk trails across our geography using intergovermental collaorations with the Village and Cook Strategies 1. Initiate planning of a trail route to connect GBT to the Forest Preserve Trail System 2. Work with the village when completing the Willow Road exten. and a trail syst Initiative 2 c Improve outdoor ice offerings Strategies 1. Research possible methods to improve and expand outdoor ice offerings within the community. 2. Expand Ice Arena facility to allow for the storage of the Zamboni and offer a training area
Goal 2: Upgrade our assets to fully leverage our strengths and opportunities for balance across program breadth and environmental sustainability Objective 1: Improve the quality of our natural resources/assets Initiative 1a:
Improve the lakefront so that residents can fully utilize our beaches • Improve water quality • Upgrade physical plant and parking access • Consider revenue options / free access • Explore options for activities and comfort (chairs/food) • Explore land trade-offs / buy/sell for planning • Consider integration / linkages
Initiative 1b:
Improve ground surfaces to increase utilization on our playfields and golf course, subject to improving water mgt through intergovernmental collaboration
Initiative 1c:
Re-design the golf service center / finish improvements on Morrow property
Initiative 1d:
Expand tennis/golf/ice faciities
Objective 2:
Improve our fiscal position with productive partnerships and alternative revenue streams
Initiative 2a:
Secure viable partnerships that improve and expand programming and the quality of our natural resources • Corporate / non-profit / governmental entities • Secure landfill usage rights
Initiative 2b:
Create alternative revenue streams that build sustainable improvements to our programs and natural resources • Legacy gifts • Corporate sponsorships • Naming rights • Grants • Foundation support
Goal 2 By 2014, upgrade our assets to fully leverage out strengths and opportunities for balance across program breadth and environmental sustainability Objective 1 Improve the quality of our natural resource assets Initiative 1a Improve the lakefront so that residents can fully utilize our beaches, water quality, physical plant, revenue options, land options, integration. Strategies 1. Create a timeline for the completion of a Master Plan for the lakefront facilities 2. Establish a strategy for working with outside agencies to improve water qualtiy at Elder Beach 3. With the master plan of the beach properties, identify new methods and strategies to develop revenue streams . Initiative 1 b Improve ground surfaces to increase utilization on our playfields and golf course, subject to improving water management through intergovernmental collaboration Strategies 1. Develop a plan for the maintenance and care of the SP before and after water management plans can be implemented 2. Work with the Village to manage water issues on the S. Playfield Initiative 1 c Redesign the golf services center Strategies 1. Establish and implement a schedule for the improvement of the Golf Service Center. Initiative 1 d Expand Golf, Tennis and Paddle facilities Strategies 1. Complete improvements to Paddle courts 3 and 4 2. Determine a funding cooperative to complete the improvement to the indoor tennis center gateway. 3. Review the Golf course Master Plan to determine the feasibility of implementing improvement strategies Initiative 1 e Determine the use of the Morrow Property Strategies 1. Identify alternatives for the use of the Morrow property as a natural area restoration project 3. Identify alternatives for the use of the Morrow property to provide water detension to support water management in SPF
Goal 2 - Objective 2 Improve our fiscal position with productive partnerships and alternative revenue streams Initiative 2a Secure viable partnerships that improve and expand programming and the quality of our natural resources (Corporate/non profit, for profit and governmental entities). Strategies 1. Use current relationships with NT to discuss alternative facility uses for the park district 2. Establish models that can be used with contracted organizations that will improve the financial position with these groups. 3. Study and review underutilized indoor spaces to determine potential alternative uses. Initiative 2 b Create alternative revenue streams that build sustainable improvement to our programs and natural resources, legacy, corporate, naming rights, grants, foundation support. Strategies 1. Create a plan with the Foundation to strategically pursue legacy giving in the community toward the park district. 2. Develop a strategy that determines the most effective methods for soliciting sponsorships in programs. 3. Rework the Winnetka Parks Foundation and determine how the organization can refine the funding mechanisms. 4. Create a plan that improves the likelihood for application and award of grants for various projects
Goal 3: Improve our standards for program/site excellence in ways that increase community awareness, satisfaction and utilization Objective 1: Increase the ratio of programs offered to executed Initiative 1a:
Plan and market program expansions and improvements to capture a wider range and frequency of participation, including the use of data-driven participant analysis
Initiative 1b:
Leverage our assets consistent with our standards for enterprise management (For example, complimentary scheduling to allow for access across programs)
Objective 2:
Improve our capacity to monitor the effectiveness of our strategic initiatives and investments
Initiative 2a:
Employ a comprehensive set of metrics/monitoring tools to allow for better board and staff decision-making
Initiative 2b:
Train board and staff on monitoring tools and techniques to ensure effective and efficient utilization
Goal 3 By 2014, improve our standard for program/site excellence in ways that increase community awareness, satisfaction and utilization. Objective 1 Increase the ratio of programs offered to executed Initiative 1a Plan and market program expansions and improvement to capture a wider range and frequency of participation, including the use of Strategies 1. Develop plans for program expansion and improvement to capture a wider range of frequency of participation using data 2. Complete the IPRA/IAPD Accreditation process 3. Determine and implement a process to survey levels of satisfaction among program users 4. Develop an agency wide marketing program to promote the district and increase program participation 5. Study and determine Branding of all district touchpoints in the community Initiative 1 b Leverage our assets consistent with our standards for enterprise management . Strategies 1. Study methods and implement strategies to cross market programs and facilities in the district - leverage assets
Goal 3 - Objective 2 Improve our capacity to monitor the effectivelness of our strategic initiatives and investments Initiative 2a Employ a comprehensive set of metrics/monitoring tools to allow for better board and staff decision making. Strategies 1. Create metric tools for the golf club that serve to understand operational controls to assist when making informed decisions 2. Create metric tools for the tennis club that serve to understand operational controls to assist when 3. Create metric tools for the ice arena that serve to understand operational controls to assist when 4. Create metric tools for Paddle Tennis that serve to understand operational controls to assist when 5. Create metric tools for all recreation department activities 6. Create metric tools for parks and golf course maintenance operations to understand operational controls 7. Create and implement program innovation workshops with staff that promote and produce creative and new programs Initiative 2 b Train the board and staff on monitoring tools and techniques to ensure effective and efficient utilization Strategies 1. Training all staff and board of the tools to be implemented and the benefits of the metric tools 2. Create a method and communication devices to report performance of the programs and activities with the metric tools Goal 3 - Objective 3 Establish and implement programs and financial strategies to ensure the Enterprise Funds are operated with positive cash flow Initiative 3a Utilize metrics/monitoring tools to determine level of performance in Enterprise Funds Strategies 1. Determine a fiscal operating strategy that reflects our desire to make all Enterprise Funds consistently profitable 2. Create quarterly reporting tools that reflect how these facilities are performing
Goal 4: Upgrade park district leadership capacity to make and execute against timely, informed, mission-centric decisions Objective 1:
Attract and retain the best staff to secure our strategic goals and desired outcomes
Initiative 1a:
Develop policies and procedures for hiring, orienting and retaining the best staff
Initiative 1b:
Ensure our compensation package is aligned with competitive benchmarks and our strategic plans
Objective 2:
Develop board policies and procedures to promote the most promising governance and meeting practices
Initiative 2a:
Develop and adher to meeting operating principles to ensure effectiveness and efficiency
Initiative 2b:
Develop a board/director evaluation process that aligns with the most promising practices to ensure leadership accountability
Goal 4 By 2014, upgrade park district leadership capacity to make and execute against timeley, informed, mission-centric decisions. Objective 1 Attract and retain the best staff to secure our strategic goals and desired outcomes Initiative 1a Develop policies and procedures for hiring orienting and retaining the best staff Strategies 1. Create an electronic application process to capture all employees more efficiently and improve efficiency of managing them 2. Review and rewrite where necessary the job descriptions for all employees 3. Determine training programs to improve the skill set of current employees 4. Review recruitment practices to determine how they might be improved to ensure a quality selection process is in place. Initiative 1 b Ensure our compensation package is aligned with competitive benchmarks and our strategic plan. Strategies 1. Create a survey mechanism of similar sized organizations to determine competitive compensation packages Goal 4 - Objective 2 Develop board policies and procedures to promote the most promising governance and meeting practices Initiative 2a Develop and adhere to meeting operating principles to ensure effectiveness and efficiency Strategies 1. Create a training program for the board to review when new board members are added to the team 2. Create an orientation with the board to ensure all members fully understand the operations of the organization as a board. 3. Complete the review of all Park District Policies 4. Complete the Strategic Master Plan for implementation in June of 2011 Initiative 2 b Develop a board/director evaluation process that aligns with the most promising practicces to ensure leadership accountability Strategies 1. Work with the private sector to create an electronic assessment tool to be implemented with all staff in the district. 2. Initiate a 360 assessment with all direct reports to determine the training might be implemented to improve performance.
