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Winnetka Park District praises, waves goodbye to executive director John Peterson

Outgoing Winnetka Park District Executive Director John Peterson has been serving his community for nearly a decade, seeing it through the COVID-19 pandemic, the ongoing Elder Lane and Centennial beach project and a long list of other accomplishments.

Peterson joined the Winnetka Park District as a commissioner in May 2015, becoming vice president in 2018 and eventually executive director. His last day with the Park District was Jan. 26 as he set up newcomer Shannon Nazzal to take over the position.

“I have believed and continue to believe the Winnetka Park District is the best-in-class organization,” Peterson said at the Jan. 18 meeting. “I can’t even tell you how great the staff members are. I can’t articulate it. Every day they collectively always work to do the right thing. Always.”

Residents and former Winnetka Park District commissioners, including David Seaman and Mickey Archambault, whose terms on the board ended last year, came out to sing Peterson’s praises at his final board meeting.

“There aren’t that many people that could have acted in such a professional, respectful manner that you did,” Seaman said. “You’ve done a hell of a job leading this agency.”

Archambault went down an exhaustive list of accomplishments the Park District completed under Peterson’s leadership including renovations at Lloyd Beach, the installation of two new platform tennis courts and operating under budget every year including during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“When you walk out the door on your last day, you have earned the right to walk out with dignity and your head held high,” Archambault said. “When you do that, make sure you duck so you don’t hit your head.”

Peterson took over the executive director role in May 2020 at a time when pandemic lockdowns began pushing people across the world to embrace going outside and enjoying the benefits of their natural environment. Guidelines changed almost daily, according to Peterson, making it an enjoyable challenge to ensure residents could use the parks in the safest way possible and make the most of what was available.

“Winnetka Park District residents and others turned to available recreational programming and other ways in which to spend time in their backyard, so to speak,” Peterson said. “Thankfully, the Park District was one of the ways in which they spent their time.”

After five years as a commissioner, Peterson wanted to take on a more involved role with the Park District and jumped at the opportunity when John Muno’s departure left the role open. It’s rare for a commissioner to take the step to join the staff but Peterson said that experience helped give him a head start and insight that wouldn’t be available to another candidate.

Ensuring residents of all ages and abilities have access to what the Winnetka Park District provides is one of the most important and rewarding aspects the job, according to Peterson. Part of this includes ensuring the planned ADA accessibility for the renovations at Elder Lane and Centennial beaches come to fruition.

A former Northwestern University basketball player, Peterson helped coach recreational house league teams of 5th and 6th grade boys and girls for several seasons, a role he described a maybe his “greatest joy.”

“That was awesome, very rewarding,” he said. “The fun factor, I was looking to replicate for the players whether the players were on the team I was supporting or the players were on the other team we may have been competing against.”

One of the more difficult aspects of his time with the Park District centers on ensuring progress can be made and an agreement can be reached despite differences between commissioners and community members.

Despite these challenges, Peterson said it’s part of his DNA to serve his community and help others.

“A major element of my life is to be kind to people but also support the individual for what she/he is trying to achieve,” he said.

Commissioner Warren James, who wrote the resolution honoring Peterson’s time with the Park District, described his “inexhaustible enthusiasm” to better the organization as his greatest contribution. James would go on to present Peterson with a plaque honoring his service.

“The best thing I got out of this was a new friend,” James said. “He makes you want to be a better person by example.”

Peterson is shifting his career to work for a risk management and brokerage company. While he won’t officially be part of Park District staff, he still plays a role in the Elder Lane/Centennial beach project serving as an unpaid arbiter to ensure the project is completed in a way that fulfills the requirements to receive a $3 million donation from billionaire Justin Ishbia.

Nazzal, who has previous experience working for multiple park districts both in recreation and administrative roles, starts her new role Feb. 1, one Peterson believes she will excel at.

“She’s sitting on a rocket launchpad of opportunity and I’m thrilled for her. She’s going to have a great run,” he said.