By David A. F. Sweet
A veteran of parks and recreation in northern Illinois, Michael Wick was tapped to be the new Director of Lake Forest Parks and Recreation this spring. Wick took time out from his job recently to talk with Lake Forest Love.
What initially sparked your interest in working in parks and recreation?
I had the good fortune of growing up in a small northern Wisconsin town with parents and family members who were actively involved in the local community. From an early age, I had a front-row view of all the aspects that go into community service and the impact that it had on the community. Our family was involved in everything from youth sports, administration of the local community fair and even turtle races. Upon graduation from college, I wanted to stay involved in athletics and was lucky to find an opportunity with the Waukegan Park District administering youth athletic leagues, and that opened my eyes to a whole new world of professional community service through local parks and recreation.
"My vision is that we continue to be innovative in our programming and allocation of resources to best meet the needs of the community," said new Parks and Recreation Director Michael Wick.
Why did working in Lake Forest appeal to you?
The Parks and Recreation Director role offered me an opportunity to professionally step forward while also allowing me to take on some new challenges. In the parks and recreation setting, many communities have separate taxing body “park districts,” and while that is a good setup for most communities, I desired to work in one that had a traditional city setup. Having previously worked in parks districts and a school district, working for a municipality is a new challenge that I’m excited for. From the outside looking in, I have been aware of the sterling reputation that Lake Forest has. In addition, I was excited to see the investment in many of the physical spaces most recently, including the Deerpath athletic fields. I was also aware of the unique and excellent programming, and I'm excited to contribute to the future growth of our offerings.
What sets Parks and Rec in Lake Forest apart from other communities you have worked in?
The City of Lake Forest has some unique properties and well-maintained parks. Forest Park Beach, Stirling Hall, Deerpath Community Park and the Deerpath Golf Course are some of the finest properties in the area. In addition to the physical spaces, there is a longstanding commitment to excellence in programming and the commitment from city leadership to continue to invest in quality parks and programming options.
Another aspect that I had been made aware of prior to starting was the high level of community support. I have found over my first few weeks on the job that this is absolutely true.
What are the highlights of what's coming up at Parks and Rec?
In addition to the anticipated completion of the Forest Park Beach Pathway Project and asking for community feedback on playground options (stay tuned for more), we will be hosting the Lake Forest Day 5K on Wednesday, Aug. 7. A number of Go Lake Forest Walks include stops at Lake Forest College (Sept. 5), an Open Lands and Nature Walk (Sept. 19), and Lake Forest Cemetery (Oct. 3 and Oct. 19). Our New Wicked Wonderland family Halloween event on Oct. 25 will be a hauntingly good time.
What is your vision for changes in Parks and Rec over the next 3-5 years?
My vision is that we continue to be innovative in our programming and allocation of resources to best meet the needs of the community. The City has done a great job investing in the physical spaces; we now need to ensure we are matching that investment with our programming. I am looking forward to seeing our team continue to take advantage of new opportunities to leverage technology to enhance our offerings. From our most recent community survey we know the residents value community events, outdoor concerts and fitness programs.
Outside of work, what sort of Parks and Rec activities do you like to participate in?
I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, vacationing in northern Wisconsin, golfing, playing basketball, engaging in fitness and wellness activities and coaching youth sports. Fall is my favorite season, with the weather cooling off and the leaves changing. I like to get outside for a walk, start a campfire in the backyard and enjoy the start of the football season.