03/01/11
IPARKS 20th Anniversary

The Illinois Parks Association Risk Services (IPARKS) Board of Directors is pleased to announce IPARKS' 20-year anniversary. IPARKS is a local government risk-sharing pool whose members agree to share the cost of their claims and related expenses. For two decades, IPARKS has provided more than 160 park districts, forest preserves, conservation and recreation agencies throughout the state of Illinois with a better alternative to traditional insurance.

IPARKS was established in January 1991, in response to the national insurance crisis of the late 1980s. The crisis made it nearly impossible for public entities to purchase insurance at any cost. Additionally, the property and casualty insurance industry was unable to provide the consistency of pricing and coverage needed by park districts and other public entities.

IPARKS is endorsed and supported by the Illinois Association of Park Districts (IAPD). The IAPD is a nonprofit service, research and educational organization that serves park districts, forest preserves, conservation, municipal park and recreation, and special recreation agencies. The association advances these agencies, their citizen board members and professional staff in their ability to provide outstanding park and recreation opportunities, preserve natural resources and improve the quality of life for all people in Illinois.

Mr. Peter Murphy, JD, CAE, is President & CEO of the IAPD and commented on the IPARKS Program, "It is my honor to have been involved with the IPARKS Board of Directors since the program's inception. The involvement of the IPARKS Member Agencies has been a key to the program's success. In 1991, our intent was to make coverage available and affordable. Through our long-standing relationship with more than 160 IPARKS Members and the program's service providers, we accomplished that goal. Maintaining specialized coverage options for IPARKS Members is ever evolving and a hallmark of the IPARKS Program has always been to meet this unique set of challenges. IPARKS has a deep and continuing commitment to serve park districts, forest preserves and conservation districts. As IPARKS celebrates twenty-years of service, I am confident of IPARKS' future and its continued dedication to excellence."

IPARKS' success is primarily attributed to the leadership of the IPARKS Board of Directors. The Board is comprised of highly qualified and experienced leaders dedicated to quality coverage and services, as well as stable pricing for IPARKS Members. The IPARKS Board of Directors includes:

Mr. Mark Badasch, Chair
Collinsville Area Recreation Director
Mr. Mark Badasch has been the Executive Director of the Collinsville Area Recreation District since 1994. Previously, he has held positions as Director of Parks and Recreation at the Roxana Community Park District and Recreation Department, Roxana, IL; Director of the Clark County Park District, Marshall, IL; Youth Program Director at Neighborhood House Association, Peoria, IL; and Assistant Superintendent of Recreation/Arena Manager at the Pekin Park District, Pekin, Illinois.

Mr. Badasch is a 1973 graduate of Indiana State University with a Bachelor of Science in Recreation and is on the ISU Department of Recreation And Sport Management Alumni Advisory Council.

Mr. Larry A. DeGraaf, Vice Chair
Mr. Larry DeGraaf was the Executive Director of the Vernon Hills Park District (1997-2009). Prior to that, he was the Executive Director of the Golf-Maine Park District (1992-1997); Executive Director of the Morale, Welfare and Recreation Department at the Naval Training Center at Great Lakes, Illinois (1978-1991); Director of the New Albany-Floyd County (Indiana) Department of Parks and Recreation (1975-1978); and Director of the West Lafayette (Indiana) Department of Parks and Recreation (1971-1975).

He is also a retired Naval Reserve Officer with a specialty in Cryptology. Mr. DeGraaf is a 1970 graduate of Purdue University with a Bachelor of Physical Education and a 1971 Purdue graduate with a Masters in Education Administration.

Mr. Peter M. Murphy, Secretary
IAPD President & CEO
Mr. Peter M. Murphy joined the Illinois Association of Park Districts (IAPD) in 1980. As President and CEO he manages the association's operations and personnel, works with the IAPD Board of Trustees to develop strategic plans and goals, and establishes corporate and nonprofit partnerships.

He received his Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Michigan and his Juris Doctorate from the New England School of Law in Boston, Massachusetts. He has more than 31 years of experience with state and local government.

Mr. Murphy is a Certified Association Executive (CAE) from the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE). He is a prolific author, and in 2003 he was inducted to the prestigious American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration.

Dr. Bruce Larson, Board Member
Urbana Park District
Dr. Bruce Larson has been a member of the IPARKS Board of Directors since its inception in 1991 and has the distinct honor of being IPARKS founding Chairman. He was first elected as an Urbana Park District commissioner in 1967, and recently retired from the Board President position, which he held from 1970 until 2010. Dr. Larson received a B.S. degree in 1948 from the University of Minnesota majoring in biochemistry and physics and a Ph.D. degree from the same institution in 1951, majoring in biochemistry and microbiology.

IPARKS has made significant accomplishments since its inception twenty years ago. Together, we have achieved a tremendous goal in providing stable and affordable coverage for IPARKS Members. Thank you, members, for your loyalty, support and making the past two decades successful. We look forward to a great year and the next 20-year celebration.

Mr. Ken Collin, Board Member
Freeport Park District
Mr. Ken Collin contributes expertise garnered by a 40-year career in computer systems and programming, and more than a decade of experience working with a property and casualty insurance company. Mr. Collin was elected to the IPARKS Board in January 2010. His specialty is analyzing multiple requests and providing leadership for budgetary concerns.

Freeport Park District has experienced success under Mr. Collin's leadership. Since 2003, Mr. Collin has served as a Commissioner, Vice President and President with the Freeport Board of Directors. In that time, the Board has implemented a Park Master Plan to completely renovate two of their parks, Krape Park and Read Park. Krape Park is the recipient of the Outstanding Multi-use Facility Award given by Illinois Parks and Recreation Association.