The Western Springs Park District has tapped a longtime northwest suburban recreation leader to be its next director.
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John Robinson, superintendent of recreation for the Arlington Heights Park District, will join the Western Springs district on March 2. Craig Himmelmann, current director, will retire at the end of June and will spend the next few months helping Robinson transition to the position, Park Board members said.
Robinson said he has 24 years experience in Arlington Heights.
“I am looking to take a lot of what I learned and bring it to the Western Springs community,” he said. “I am looking to meet a lot of people, the Rotary, the village, the school district, residents and business leaders. I am looking to be a quality member of the Western Springs community.”
In Arlington Heights, Robinson is responsible for athletic operations and facilities, golf operations and maintenance, and camps for preschool and school-aged children.
He said he has worked on a wide range of issues, including building a community center and installing turf fields. Robinson has been the superintendent of recreation in Arlington Heights since 2002. He said he has experience working with village recreation departments for field use, as is the case in Western Springs, where the park district oversees the fields and the village oversees programming.
“There are a wide variety of projects that I have helped succeed,” Robinson said.
A native of Wisconsin, Robinson earned a degree in recreation and park administration from the University of Wisconsin, LaCrosse. He lives in Arlington Heights with his wife, Sheila, and 12-year-old son, Kieran.
Robinson felt he is at a point in his career to oversee a park district.
“It was not an easy decision at all,” he said, noting his time with the Arlington Heights district and his ties to the community. “But I saw the opportunity to be the head of a park district. My wife has family in LaGrange Park and Western Springs so we have been out there and we have always liked the area. However, we still plan to stay in Arlington Heights.”
Park Board members said Robinson was chosen following a board search, with the assistance of the Illinois Association of Park Districts, an organization in which Robinson has been active.
“John represents a change and new dimension for WSPD, new processes and new ideas,” said board President Walter Knake.
He said he knows of the budget overruns for the soccer fields at Spring Rock Park, but does not have any suggestions for remedying the issue without getting more information.
“I won’t know details until I get in. I don’t know where the district is in relation to finishing up,” Robinson said. “But I understand budget constraints and I do not like to go over budget, if possible.
“I hope, in my first few months, to get a handle on the topic. I have a couple months to pick the brain of the current director to see where things are at. I do know that it is a hot topic. I hope to be of assistance.”
In Arlington Heights, Robinson is one of three superintendents and he supervises nine full-time staff members.
“I am excited about the opportunity and to get involved in the community,” Robinson said. “I like to hear stories about the community. I think I am a good listener. I hope to work well with everyone in the community.”
Kevin Beese is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.