Winnetka Park District to welcome new executive director in 2024

Alex Hulvalchick, Chicago Tribune
·3 min read

The Winnetka Park District is set to bring on Shannon Nazzal as the new executive director in 2024.

Nazzal was awarded a three year, $205,000 contract by the Park District and will begin her full time duties on Feb. 1. She currently serves as an adjunct professor at Frostburg State University in Maryland.

“It’s an honor to be selected as the new executive director by the Winnetka Park District Board of Commissioners,” said Nazzal in a news release by the Park District. “The Park District has so many great programs and facilities. It’s incredible. I look forward to working with the Park Board and staff, along with the Park District’s partners, to keep up the momentum.”

Nazzal brings 18 years of experience in recreation from positions across the country including Florida and Maryland. Her previous roles include director of parks & recreation for the Calvert County Government in Prince Frederick, Maryland along with recreation roles for the Martin County Board of County Commissioners in Stuart, Florida and the City of Tallahassee.

She holds a bachelor's degree and a Master of Science degree in physical education and sports administration from Florida State University. Nazzal has another master's degree in public administration from Florida International University.

Winnetka Park District Board President Christina Codo welcomed Nazzal to the team, saying in the news release she will help with several key project the Park District has underway including the reopening of the Winnetka Golf Club courses and the completion of the ongoing Elder Lane and Centennial beach project.

Nazzal is also a Certified Park and Recreation Executive from the National Recreation and Park Association, the organization’s highest level according to its website. She holds accreditation through the National Recreation and Park Association’s Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies and has completed Atlantic Ocean and Chesapeake Bay shoreline protection projects and related coastal work, according to the news release.

“Shannon brings a remarkably deep level of experience and expertise in recreation and government administration to the Winnetka Park District,” said Codo. “We are delighted she will lead the agency into the future.”

Current Executive Director John Peterson is set to leave the Park District in January after nearly four years as its director. Prior to becoming executive director, Peterson served as a Park Board Commissioner, eventually taking on the role as vice president in 2018. He also played a role in the development of the Waterfront 2030 Plan which has and continues to shape the Winnetka coastline.

“I love this Park District,” Peterson said at a recent Winnetka Park District Board meeting. “Volunteering as a house league basketball coach may have been the greatest joy. Serving as a commissioner has been awesome. As an executive director being humbly connected with the staff members in this room, some of the former ones who no longer are with the Park District and new individuals regarding working with (Winnetka Park District Marketing and Brand Manager) Katie (Erickson), it’s an honor to be part of this Park District and serve our community.”