Niles Parks Appoints Julie Genualdi To Board

Impressed with her involvement in the community, the Niles Park District Board last week appointed Julie Genualdi as a commissioner.

She succeeds to be with family members. 

"She's involved in the community, she's got kids in park district programs and kids at St. John Brebeuf School," said Ray Czarnik, park board president. "It's good to have another woman on the board.

"We decided it's great to have someone with a family come in."

He noted she has also been involved with the Niles Sister Cities program.

In addition to Barbaglia's departure, two other commissioners, Bill Terpinas and Elaine Heinen, have been away from the park district because each had been hospitalized. Terpinas has returned, Czarnik said, and Heinen, who is recuperating in an Arlington Heights assisted living facility, said she plans to return to the park board, but did not say when.

Genualdi said she became interested in the park district because her children attended its Bright Beginnings preschool and have been involved in its sports programs.

"My children have certainly benefitted from it (the park district)," she said. "Not only in terms of teamwork and building skills, but in making friendships, too."

Genualdi, a police officer who works in community relations with the Park Ridge Police Department, said she'll look at innovative programs that have proven successful in other park districts.

"This has always been a great park district. I look forward to helping with the growth," she said.