Palatine Park District Board Candidate: Doug Myslinski

Name:  Doug Myslinski

Biographical Information (optional) family, profession, background, etc. 

I have been fortunate enough to be married to my wonderful wife Barb for 18 years with two incredible children, ages 12 and 14 that have both fully utilized the programs and facilities offered by the Palatine Park District.  Currently, my youngest daughter Jenny is attending Sundling Middle School while my son Mike is a freshman at Palatine High.
  
After being born and raised in Steubenville Ohio, I went on to attain a bachelors of Science degree in Landscape Architecture from West Virginia University in 1991.  In an effort to pursue a life-long dream of becoming a golf course architect, I accepted a position with the world’s largest golf course construction company where I was fortunate enough to participate and manage the construction of many of the country’s top rated and financially successful courses. In 1997 I fulfilled one of my career dreams by accepting a position with a world renowned golf course design firm and for the past 15 years we have had the opportunity to design golf courses all over the world.  I am currently a member of the American Society of Golf Course Architects (ASGCA), Golf Course Superintendents Association (GCSAA), Midwest Golf Course Superintendents Association (MGCSA), Urban Land Institute (ULI) and a design and Construction Committee member for the American Resort Development Association (ARDA).

Having a desire and passion to give back to my community as well as become involved in my children’s activities, I have had the opportunity to volunteer through the Palatine Park District and Park District affiliates.  Below is a list of involvements I have been fortunate enough to be a part of:

• Served as a Board Member and President of  the Pepper Tree Farms Home Owners Association for 5 years
• Coached PYB/S boys baseball for 7 years
• Coached PBA baseball for 1 year
• Coached PYB/S girls softball for 3 years
• Coached for Palatine Amateur Football Association (PAFA) for 6 years
• Served on the Board for Palatine Amateur Football Association (PAFA) for 6 years
• Managed the PAFA equipment purchasing, maintenance and distribution for 6 years
• Recognized as “Volunteer of the Year” in 2011 for contributions to the PAFA organization

Currently, I am also actively involved in:

• Coaching Junior Palatine Girls Feeder Basketball for 3 years now
• Actively serving on the Board for the Junior Palatine Girls Feeder Basketball Association
• Appointed to a four (4) year term as a member of the Palatine Planning Commission

How long have you been a Palatine resident?  16 Years

Why are you running for the Palatine Park District board?

The Village of Palatine is a wonderful community and my family and I thoroughly enjoy living here.  Throughout the past 16 years, we have participated in many Park District programs including the After School CARE Program, Summer Camps, Affiliated Sport Programs, education classes, hosted and attended numerous Birthday Parties, utilize the Fitness Center, Gyms, and Golf Course. We also managed to find enough time to enjoy the summer concerts in the amphitheater.  Through these programs and events, we have met many great friends and have become aware of how important these programs are not only to my family but to our community.  The Park District is the heartbeat of Palatine and I hope that I can work along side others that share the same passion and commitment I do to continue to make our community a safe, affordable and enjoyable place to live.

What are the issues you believe are important to residents relating to the park district?

The issues I feel are important are simple.  We should continue to provide and be associated with programs that provide innovative recreation, environmental consciousness and unique educational programs that the residents of Palatine feel are of value for the tax dollars being contributed.  The programs and facilities should remain state of the art and be fully accessible / affordable to the diverse residents within the Park District.  

What if any improvements would you like to see in the way that the park district is run?

As I mentioned, I have been blessed with having been associated with our Park District on many levels while my children were able to participate in a wide variety of Park District programs.  Through these experiences, I feel like I have a good knowledge of the incredible job the Park District is currently doing.  Today, our Park District stands above a vast majority of comparable communities within the Chicagoland area and I would like to help make sure that it continues to innovate, educate and provide opportunity to everyone in our community.