ROUND LAKE – Less than a month after celebrating his eighth year as executive director of the Round Lake Area Park District, Jeff Nehila will say goodbye and head to Grayslake where he will take over the neighboring park district as its new executive director.
He will replace Bob Lashbrook, who retired at the end of June after 38 years of service in parks and recreation.
Nehila was chosen from more than 60 resume interests from all over the state and as far away as Wyoming, said Ken Ryan, president of the Grayslake Park District board of commissioners. He will start his new position Aug. 2.
The Grayslake board wanted someone who knew the area and knew somewhat of the direction the park district wanted to take, Ryan said.
“We kind of wanted someone who was experienced, who had some innovative ideas, who had a good, solid management style and could build on the success we’ve had and someone who was familiar with the district and the area,” Ryan said.
Nehila’s track record fit that description, he said.
“Living adjacent to the district, I’ve been able to observe what their initiatives are,” Nehila said. “I’ve been intrigued by [what’s going on] over there for a while.”
Nehila has experience in comprehensive planning and land acquisition – two things the Grayslake Park District will need in the future, Ryan said.
Under the Round Lake Area Park District’s 2003 comprehensive plan, the Sports Center in Round Lake Beach was constructed, as was a ropes course; the community center and parking lots were expanded and land was acquired, among other things, Nehila said.
In the 2008 comprehensive plan, more land was acquired, and the Fairfield Sports Park project got underway.
Nehila said his staff was well equipped to move forward with those plans, as well as the development of the future Huebner Park/Center – a concept that will eventually turn two vacant lots given to the district through a trust donation into an outdoor education facility that will focus on water-based activities.
One of Nehila’s first tasks in Grayslake will be to continue work on Allegheny Park, Ryan said.
The first phase of the park is completed, with about 40 acres of land already developed into ball fields, soccer fields, concession stands, tennis courts and a playground, Ryan said.
The remaining 55 acres of the original 95-acre land acquision will need to be developed into softball fields, basketball courts and lacrosse fields, among other amenities, Ryan said.
“That’s still in the works, so his input and guidance is probably the biggest task [right now],” Ryan said, adding that Nehila also should be able to help the park district purchase property for future projects.
Nehila said another one of his first tasks would be to send out a survey to the community to see what sort of amenities they would like to see. He already has ideas that would define the Grayslake Park District in new ways, he said.
“The opportunity for some significant projects [in Grayslake] may be on the horizon,” Nehila said. “[My ideas] would set Grayslake apart from neighbors.”
Ryan said Bob Lashbrook’s expertise and service to Grayslake would be missed.
“I would be remiss if I didn’t say we’re going to miss Bob [Lashbrook] ... but I think we’re going to be served well,” Ryan said.
Bob Newport, the assistant director of the Round Lake Area Park District for the past two years, was named the district’s interim executive director.