The Decatur Park District is a unit of local government founded in 1924, organized and incorporated under the laws of the State of Illinois, which has the purpose of providing leisure services and facilities for the residents of Decatur. The Board of Park Commissioners of the Decatur Park District is considered the local legislative body to which is entrusted, by the law, the responsibility for planning, executing and appraising the park and recreation programs and facilities of the District. It is the duty of the Board to approve basic policy for the operation, as well as control and plan present and future activities of the District.
The following unpaid Board of Commissioners governs the Park District: Chris Harrison, Stacey Young, Bob Brilley II, Dr. Kristin White, and Shelith Hansbro.
Decatur Park District facilities include the Administrative Office, Decatur Airport, Decatur Indoor Sports Center, Fairview Tennis Center, Hickory Point Golf Course, Scovill Activity Center, Overlook Adventure Park, Poage Arts & Recreation Center, Red Tail Run Golf Club by Raymond Floyd, Schaub Floral Display Center, Overlook Adventure Park, The Devon G. Buffett Lakeshore Amphitheater, Splash Cove Aquatic Center and Scovill Zoo.
The Decatur Park District employs approximately 100 full-time employees and 500 part-time/seasonal employees.
Park Board Meetings
Meeting Schedule
Public Comments
The Park Board of Commissioners welcomes and appreciates the views and input from interested citizens. Individuals or groups wishing to address the Board should sign in (name & address) prior to the meeting. Speakers will be asked to give their name and address as they begin their presentation. The Board asks that comments be delivered in a three minute time frame in order that others may receive adequate time and attention. As a matter of protocol, comments should reflect courtesy and not contain derogatory or slanderous comments about an individual or group. Breach of the above mentioned protocol may result in the Board President declaring the speaker or group out of order and discontinue the presentation. As a general rule, neither the Board nor staff will provide immediate responses.
Our Code
The Decatur Park District does not discriminate against individuals in admission to, or treatment of, or employment in programs or activities in compliance with the Illinois Human Rights Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended in the U.S. Constitution. The Park District receives Federal funds from the National Park Service. Regulations of the U.S. Department of the Interior strictly prohibit unlawful discrimination in departmental Federally Assisted Programs on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, or handicap. Any person who believes he or she has been discriminated against in any program, activity or facility operated by the Decatur Park District may contact the District’s Equal Opportunity Officer (217/422-5911) and the U.S. Department of the Interior at Director, Equal Opportunity Program, U.S. Dept. of the Interior, National Park Service, P.O. Box 37127, Washington, D.C. 20013-7127.
We Care About Your Safety
The Decatur Park District is concerned for the safety of visitors to our parks and facilities and strives to ensure that playground equipment, park grounds, and all facilities remain in excellent condition. Please help us in this effort. Follow safety rules posted at park sites and note age designations for appropriate use of playground equipment. If you see or hear of vandalism to park property, find broken playground equipment, or discover anything else you consider hazardous, please call the Park District at 217-422-5911.
Insurance
While the Park District is committed to conducting recreation programs and activities in the safest manner possible, an inherent risk of injury exists with any recreational activity. The Decatur Park District continually strives to reduce such risks and insists that all participants follow rules and instructions that have been designed to protect their safety. The Decatur Park District does not carry medical accident insurance for injuries sustained on its property or in its programs as the cost of such insurance would make program fees cost-prohibitive.
Prevailing Wage
The Prevailing Wage Act (820 ILCS 130/9, as amended by P.A.100-154) requires contractors and subcontractors to pay laborers, workers and mechanics employed on Public Works construction projects no less than the general prevailing rate of wages (consisting of hourly cash wages plus fringe benefits) for work of a similar character in the county where the work is performed. Use the link below to view the current prevailing wage classifications and rates the Department of Labor ascertained for each county within the State of Illinois.
Total Compensation Package Information
Pursuant to the requirements of 5 ILCS 120/7.3, the Decatur Park District has compiled a list of employees who have a total compensation package of $75,000 or more. For the purpose of this statute Total Compensation includes salary, health insurance, housing allowance, vehicle allowance, clothing allowance, bonuses, loans, vacation days and sick days granted. This report is available at the Decatur Park District Administration Office, 620 E Riverside Ave, Decatur, IL 6252.
IMRF
In 2019, the Illinois General Assembly passed Public Act 101-0504. The law requires IMRF to post certain employer cost and participation information on its website. IMRF will update these reports annually.
- Employer Contribution Amounts: The amount of employer contributions each employer made from 1/1/1995 to present (searchable spreadsheet)
- Employer Contribution Rates: Each employer’s contribution rates for the current year and one year after (searchable spreadsheet)
- Participating Employers: A list of all employers and the date each employer joined IMRF (searchable spreadsheet)
- Employer Resolutions: Required participation resolutions for employers that joined on or after 1/1/1995 (searchable PDF)
Public Act 101-0504 requires IMRF employers that have a website to include a link to this web page, no later than January 1, 2021.
Decatur Urbanized Area Transportation Study
Unified Work Program
Vendor Ownership
The Decatur Park District is very appreciative of all the vendors that we do business with. As part of routine maintenance on our vendor accounts, as well as a State of Illinois reporting requirement for taxing bodies, we need to gather some information regarding business ownership (minority-owned, women-owned or veteran-owned).
35 ILCS 200/18-50.2 requires that the Decatur Park District gather and electronically publish information regarding the ownership of vendors with which it does business. Please help assist us in complying with this requirement by completing the brief questionnaire below. We appreciate your cooperation and assistance
Behavior/Conduct Policy
The following guidelines have been developed to help make Decatur Park District programs safe and enjoyable for all. The Park District reserves the right to develop additional rules for programs and athletic leagues as deemed necessary by staff and the Park Board of Commissioners. Participants are asked to:
- Show respect to all participants and staff
- Refrain from using foul language
- Refrain from causing bodily harm to others
- Refrain from damaging equipment, supplies and facilities
Financial Report
Below is the link to the Annual Financial Report for the Decatur Park District, prepared by May, Cocagne & King. Questions regarding this documents should be directed to CFO Kristin Sowa at ksowa@decparks.com or 217-422-5911.
Budget & Appropriation Ordinance
On June 5, 2019, the Decatur Park Board of Commissioners adopted the 2019/2020 Annual Budget and Appropriation Ordinance appearing in the link below.
ADA Accessibility Survey
In Spring 2012, the Decatur Park District began a survey process conducted by Recreation Accessibility Consultants. 56 parks and facilities were reviewed, and results have been compiled in a 6-volume document that is available at the Administrative Office, 620 E. Riverside Ave. The cover letter from RAC President John McGovern and summary letter appear below. For more information, please call ADA Compliance Officer Russ Bodine at 217-422-5911.
ADA Cover Letter
ADA Summary Document
The following ADA Transition Plan Update was approved by the Park Board of Commissioners on September 5, 2018 in the regularly scheduled board meeting at 12 noon. The public is encouraged to review the document and provide feedback on the ADA Transition Plan Update by calling ADA Compliance Officer Russ Bodine at 217-422-5911.
2018 ADA Transition Plan Update