A man of "humility, compassion, humor, intellectual curiosity, and an open mind"

The Board of Commissioners and the staff of the Skokie Park District are grief-stricken this week, as the family of Mike Reid have shared the news of his passing. Mike, who had been bravely battling ALS, served on the district’s board from 2005 through July of this year and was beloved by this park district –– and by the Skokie community.

Mike's path into the park and recreation industry was a long one. Here is that story:

In 1985, Mike Reid moved to Skokie with his wife, Diana, where they went on to raise three children. Seeking out public service, he was elected to his local school board in 1997, where he served for eight years, then was elected to the Skokie Park District’s board of commissioners in 2005. In his 18 years on the park district’s board, Reid has served as president 11 times and as vice-president twice.

Since 2005, Reid has provided oversight for hundreds of the district’s major projects and implementation of new programs, including the creation of Skokie’s Backlot Bash, the renovation of The Exploritorium (twice), the Skatium Ice Arena (three times), the Park Services Center, the Weber Leisure Center and its Fitness First health club, and more than 20 district parks, some of which subsequently had their playgrounds donated to needy communities overseas.

Under Reid’s leadership, the Skokie Park District has been recognized as an Illinois Distinguished Accredited Agency three times (2009, 2015 and 2021). In addition, in 2021, the district won the Illinois Park and Recreation Agency’s very first Champions for Change Award for its diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) accomplishments, initiatives that lie very close to Reid’s heart.

"I don’t believe that Mike has ever missed a monthly board meeting, budget meeting or public hearing," said fellow board member Susan Aberman. "He has also attended nearly every major event the park district has held, including serving as emcee for the Skokie Festival of Cultures, the Skokie Fireworks Festival, and Skokie’s Backlot Bash."

In 2017, Reid earned master board member status with the Illinois Association of Park Districts (IAPD). In 2019, he was then elected to the IAPD board of trustees, helping the association to realize its mission of advancing Illinois park districts, forest preserves, conservation, recreation and special recreation agencies in their ability to preserve natural resources and improve the quality of life for all people in Illinois.

He has also helped advise the association in providing service, research, advocacy, public awareness and educational programs to its membership of hundreds of park, recreation and conservation agencies and nearly 100 affiliated business partners. In addition, Reid has served on the association’s Research Advisory Council (2019–present), the Joint Legislative Committee (2019–present), and Honors and Resolutions Committee (2020-present).

“Mike’s leadership abilities and his commitment to good governance will add immeasurably to the IAPD Board of Trustees as it carries out its strategic initiatives on behalf of park districts statewide.” said Peter Murphy, IAPD president and CEO, back in 2019.

According to the park district’s Executive Director Michelle Tuft, Reid is known throughout Skokie, not only for his leadership, but for attending events and talking to Skokie residents.

“Mike has been a fixture at the district’s special events for years, often stepping up and lending a hand when needed,” said Tuft. “At these events, he is known for reaching out to Skokie residents and listening to their ideas and concerns. Mike always does so with humility, compassion, a sense of humor, an intellectual curiosity, and an open mind. He then brings those resident opinions back to the board of commissioners for their consideration.

Prior to his retirement a few years ago, Reid simultaneously worked his day job as a credit manager at Unisource Worldwide, while attending nearly every national and state park and recreation annual conference and attending numerous Parks Day at the Capitol Legislative Conferences in Springfield, always bringing fresh ideas back to the Skokie Park District. Reid’s continued hard work and enthusiasm has undoubtedly rubbed off on the park district staff.

Under his watch for nearly two decades, staff have won numerous state awards and recognition, and have served on many national, regional and state committees.

Since the Skokie Park District’s formation in 1928, 54 people have served on the board. Reid’s tenure of 18 years ranks him fifth on that list. Reid resigned from the board in July 2024 due to his illness. In September 2024, the staff and board of the Skokie Park District re-named Lawler Park, Mike Reid Park, in his honor.

With a spectacular two decade career in parks and recreation, Skokie’s residents, the Skokie Park District staff, and his fellow commissioners, truly think of Mike as a Skokie treasure. The district’s staff and board all offer Mike’s family their sincerest condolences. ❑

MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS
Les Turner ALS Foundation
5550 West Touhy Avenue
Skokie, Illinois 60077
www.lesturnerals.org

OBITUARY here.