About

 
 

                     

 
 

At a Glance:

  • Creative Thinker

  • Hard Working

  • Methodical Planner

  • Good communicator

  • Discipline Budget-er

  • Always eager to learn

      Creating FUN enjoyable environments  is the driving force behind all Gary’s efforts.  In the Park and Recreational arena his noteworthy  projects  have set the standard for others to follow. For nearly forty years, his work valued at over $75 M have made life changing difference in the communities he has served.  He is one of a handful of professionals in his industry that can say his work was instrumental in obtaining two agency Gold Medals of  Excellence from the Sports Foundation and National Recreation and Parks Association.

 

Hoffman Estates Park District

Director of Planning and Development (1999-2018)                    Hoffman Estates, Illinois 

Directly responsible for all planning and development activities within a nationally recognized Park and Recreation Agency serving a population of 50 K.   In addition to typical park development, he was responsible for the  planning and development of cutting edge recreation centers, championship golf course, ice arena and aquatic play spaces.   During his tenure over 300 acres of parkland was negotiated and added for the public benefit.  

Elk Grove Park District

Superintendent of Park & Planning (1979-1999)                        Elk Grove Village, Illinois

Directly responsible for planning and development activities for a parks and recreation agency serving a population of 40 K in the northwest suburbs of Chicago land.  During this time frame significant  effort was put forth to conceptualized/plan/design and constructed some of the most innovative public facilities in the country including a children's theme park (Pirate's Cove), a regional water park (Rainbow Falls),  a state of the art recreation center (The LFC later to become the Jack A Claes Pavilion), a championship 18 hole golf course (Fox Run Links) an indoor skate board facility, a community athletic field complex, one the first disc golf courses in the state and the first publicly owned neighborhood splash pad in the Midwest (Fountain Square Park). This was in addition to the construction and or renovation of 46 public playgrounds, 11 basketball courts and 13 tennis courts.  In 1990, the responsibility for all parks and facility maintenance was added to this position. During this time frame, he oversaw direct supervision of 26 full time trades people and up to 30 part time individuals who performed in house maintenance/repair and construction work.

Cranbrook Gardens Auxiliary

Grounds Volunteer Coordinator (1976-1978)                           Bloomfield Hills, Michigan

As the recipient of the Henry Booth Horticulture scholarship for three consecutive years (1976,1977 & 1978). This working scholarship proved to be a valuable early learning experience   A condition of this award came the responsibility to coordinate volunteers activities associated with the ongoing maintenance of horticultural gardens on the former estate of George Gough Booth and Ellen Scripps.  Daily activities included working with anywhere from 5-30 volunteers all with a interest in gardening. 

 

Henry Ford Museum & Greenfield Village

Groundsmen (1973-1975)                                                                  Dearborn, Michigan

Worked with the horticultural grounds crew in the planting and maintenance of floral displays around the museum grounds.  In 1974 he was promoted to weekend lead horticultural groundsmen responsible for the care of all plants and plantings on weekends and holidays  This appointment which was considered an honor for for someone of his young age and helped formulate his disciplined work ethic.

Awards & Accolades

  • Recipient of the Henry Booth Horticulture scholarship (1976,1977 & 1978).

  • (Agency Award) American Society of Landscape Architects Merit Award 1990 Elk Grove Park District Rainbow Falls Water Park

  • (Agency Award) National Gold Medal of Excellence Class IV 1996  Elk Grove Park District

  • (Agency Award) National Gold Medal of Excellence Class III 2009  Hoffman Estates Park District 

  • Registered Landscape Architect Illinois  1987-2018

  • Certified Playground Inspector  (CPSI)  1995-2018

Education & Training

Michigan State University (1978)

Bachelor of Science: Landscape Architecture

East Lansing, Michigan, USA

Lawrence Institute of Technology

First Year Architecture: Architecture

Southfield, Michigan, USA