The Vernon Hills Park District has a vibrant relationship with the Village of Vernon Hills and an impressive history of building strong Intergovernmental Agreements (IGA). Since 1992, the District has established ten IGAs with the Village of Vernon Hills that have saved taxpayers several million dollars while delivering more services. With a conscientious effort at both the elected official and professional staff level, each individual has made it their priority to strengthen relationships, brainstorm ways to deliver more and be a good partner with our fellow governmental entity. Many of the IGA ideas are initiated at our Quarterly Public Officials and Administrators Group fueling the mutually beneficial and exceptional cooperation that exists between the District and Village.

The Intergovernmental Award, presented by the Illinois Association of Park District (IAPD), recognizes agencies (park districts, forest preserves, conservation, recreation, and special recreation agencies and the units of government with which they have an agreement) that have created successful intergovernmental agreements or partnerships that maximize tax dollars and benefit residents throughout the community.

The Vernon Hills Park District will be formally recognized at the IAPD Best of the Best Awards Gala in October, 2023.