Courtesy Bobbie Jo Hill
Eric Entler, commissioner of the Park District of Forest Park, was recently presented with the Illinois Association of Park District’s (IAPD) Rising Star Award at the organization’s annual conference at the Hyatt Regency Chicago.
The Rising Star Award recognizes elected park district board members who are serving their first term in office and have demonstrated excellence in performing their duties and responsibilities. “Eric was chosen from an outstanding pool of statewide candidates,” said Peter Murphy, IAPD’s president and chief executive officer. “He has an impressive history with the Park District of Forest Park, and his willingness to become involved on the statewide level is a testament to his dedication and commitment to improving the quality of life for all citizens through parks, recreation and conservation.”
Long before he began serving on the Park District of Forest Park’s board, Entler was actively involved. He participated in park district programs throughout his childhood, worked for the park district in several capacities and then served as an enthusiastic volunteer. Entler was elected to the Park District of Forest Park board in 2009.
He volunteers for several park district events including Picnic in the Park, the Fourth of July Celebration, Breakfast with Santa, the Annual Egg Hunt, the No Glove Nationals Softball Tournament and the Summer Ice Cream Social.
He is a strong supporter of the Friends of the Park, and worked tirelessly to pass a referendum allowing the park district to pursue available property adjacent to park district property.
Entler’s community involvement includes membership in the village’s Youth Commission and serving on the Game Day committee, which is a school fundraiser benefitting the athletics program at St. Bernardine School. He has also volunteered with Special Olympics and the Kiwanis Club of Forest Park, of which he is a member.
Entler served as sergeant-at-arms on the IAPD Board of Trustees in 2012, and was elected as a trustee in 2013. He serves on IAPD’s membership committee and has achieved Distinctive Board Member status in IAPD’s Board Member Development Program. He is a dedicated volunteer at Park District Conservation Day at the Illinois State Fair.
Entler resides in Forest Park with his wife, Rachell and their two children, Jaxon and Madelyn.
IAPD was established in 1928 and is the oldest state association for parks, recreation and conservation in America. The association serves more than 2,100 elected park, recreation and forest preserve district board members who govern more than 390 agencies employing 40,000 individuals.
IAPD strives to improve Illinois’ quality of life through park districts, forest preserves, conservation and recreation agencies by establishing grants and other new revenue streams for park land, facilities and services; educating the public about the positive effects parks and recreation have on communities; and meeting the problem of decreasing open space in Illinois.
