Michael Benard Receives Robert Artz Lifetime Achievement Award

Margie Wilhelmi
Director of Marketing, Wheaton Park District
630.510.4984 | [email protected]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WHEATON — Michael Benard, Executive Director, of the Wheaton Park District was honored at the IAPD/IPRA Conference with the Robert Artz Lifetime Achievement Award.

Amongst fellow peers, family and industry professionals, Mike accepted the award at the Conference Luncheon held at the Hyatt Hotel in Chicago on Friday, January 24.

This Award was established to honor Robert Artz’s legacy of service to the park and recreation profession. Unfortunately Bob’s life was cut short at the young age of 48. He was an ambassador of the national leisure movement, and he strengthened the Illinois Park District system through his hard work and perseverance.

The Robert Artz Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to a current Illinois Park and Recreation Association (IPRA) member who has served a minimum of twenty-five (25) years as a full-time professional in the field of parks and recreation, of which at least fifteen (15) have been in Illinois. Recipients must hold an industry certification, have been actively engaged in IPRA, and have made a significant achievement for their agency or through involvement within their community.

“Mike truly embodies unparalleled leadership, vision, and dedication to advancing the field of parks and recreation. Over the course of his distinguished career, Mike has consistently delivered transformative results for both the Wheaton Park District and the greater community, ” said John Kelly, Park Board President.

Under Mike’s leadership for the last 18 years, the Wheaton Park District has achieved numerous accreditations and recognitions, including the IAPD-IPRA Distinguished Agency Award, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums accreditation, the American Camp Association Accreditation, and the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Designation for Arrowhead Golf Club.

Mike successfully developed and executed the Wheaton Park District’s strategic plans for 2010-2014 and 2016-2019, providing a clear roadmap for growth and innovation.  During Mike’s tenure, the Park District has completed multiple major capital projects. These include developing the former Wheaton Central High School property into an indoor and outdoor recreation center; the historic redevelopment of Northside Park; the transformation of Memorial Park into a premier community gathering space for concerts and special events and keeping the DuPage County Historical Museum open and active.

View a video of Michael Benard accepting the award here.