Jay Sandine became the Executive Director of the Rockford Park District on June 24, 2017, when he replaced Tim Dimke.  Sandine had been assistant executive director since 2015.  The Rockford Park District maintains 4,962 acres of land, and has 179 different parks and facilities.  These are as varied Dog Parks, Community Centers, Community Pools, Frisbee Golf and Zip Line facilities, in addition, to the many golf courses that the area enjoys.  Over the years the Rockford Rotary has supported and worked with the Rockford Park District, by donating the money to buy the Trolley in 1986, through working with them to design and build the Rotary Labyrinth as our 2016 centennial project.  

Come hear Jay discuss the community value the Park District provides to the area, as well as highlight the development of a Strategic Plan to be completed in 2018.

The State of Illinois is celebrating its bicentennial year.  While admitted to statehood in 1818, the state flag was not adopted until 1915. 

Alice Uphouse, is in her 35th year as a member of the Rockford Chapter of the Daughters of the America Revolution.  The Daughters of the American Revolution is a nonprofit founded n 1890, with three primary objectives: Historic preservation, Patriotism and Education. Ms Uphouse will discuss the history and the effort needed by the DAR to get our state flag adopted.  

Parts of the Rockford's water system is nearing over century in age; and provides 18 million gallons of clean water daily to customers. Improving the water infrastructure while insuring a safe and adequate supply is not without challenge.  For years, Fehr Graham and the City of Rockford Water Division had a proven public-private partnership on the repair of the water infrastructure.  But now the focus is on developing a forward-thinking and fiscally responsible water infrastructure investment program for the future. In addition, this partnership is tasked with finding ways to improve infrastructure using cost-saving measures, such as data-driven decisions to prioritize projects and creative designs to minimize impact on residents.

Kyle Saunders, the watersuperintendent for the City of Rockford, and Seth Gronewold, a professional engineer with Fehr Graham, will help us understand the infrastructure needed to insure clean water and the benefits of the this partnership for Rockford residents.