After a 37-year career in parks and recreation, Molly Hamer retired as executive director of the Northbrook Park District, according to a news release
“This has been such an incredible career path for me, because it’s about giving people the opportunity to choose what they want to do in their free time, with their family, in their community,” said Hamer, who retired Sept. 8 after seven years as executive director of the Northbrook Park District. “It’s been so meaningful and purposeful for me, because I believe that play and relaxation are essential components of the lives of children and adults — whether it’s sitting on a park bench, swimming, playing hockey, acting in a play or running on a trail.”
Hamer’s retirement comes in the wake of being named 2023 Professional of the Year by the Illinois Park and Recreation Association, on whose board she served from 2014 to 2016, the release said.
She is succeeded by Executive Director Chris Leiner, formerly director of parks and properties for the Northbrook Park District.
Reflecting on her time in Northbrook, Hamer said in the release it was deeply rewarding to lead the Park District’s unfailing commitment to its mission of enhancing the community through environmental, social and financial stewardship.
“With every project we do, be it a new multimillion dollar building, a playground renovation or just the purchase of Adirondack chairs for the golf course, we continue to prioritize being champions for the environment and sustainability, and study whether we can use whatever is on the cutting-edge while being fiscally responsible.”
Hamer said she’s especially proud of two major Park District accomplishments in 2021: the reopening of Sportsman’s Country Club as Heritage Oaks Golf Club with a new club house and modern technology, and the opening of the net-zero energy Techny Prairie Activity Center (TPAC), which met the community’s desire for a facility with a gymnasium, indoor track and comprehensive fitness area. “TPAC is a way for people to connect not just to their own health, but to each other and nature,” she added.
According to the release, Hamer was an administrator with an open-door policy. She said she always endeavored to engage in consistent leadership. She will most miss the friendships she forged on the job and is especially grateful for the resilience of staff members during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We were closing playgrounds and canceling programs, which was unheard of,” she said. “There was so much anxiety. It was a very challenging time to lead, and that’s when you lean on your colleagues and friends.”
Hamer was born and raised in Geneseo, Illinois, and spent a year in Bolivia after graduating high school, the release said. She earned a bachelor’s degree in leisure studies from the University of Illinois, whose department of recreation, sport and tourism selected her as recipient of the Joseph Bannon Practitioner Award in 2016. She later earned a master’s degree in counseling from Western Illinois University.
She started her career in parks and recreation as a recreation supervisor with the Schaumburg Park District, where she rose to superintendent of recreation in nearly 11 years. A year after having triplets in 1992, she and her husband moved to Geneseo to be closer to their families. Hamer served on the board of the Geneseo Park District for about a decade and was hired as its executive director in 2007. When the Northbrook job opened nine years later, Hamer said, she jumped at the chance to work for a district she “always had affection for.”
“I wish I could say it was all a perfect plan,” she said, “but everything simply fell into place as I was making decisions along the way.”
Hamer was “an amazing leader” for the Northbrook Park District, Board President Lisa Chalem said.
“She is a problem solver that is professional, approachable and a mentor to all. She will be missed, but we know Molly will enjoy her retirement and will always find great places to play!” Chalem said.
Hamer, who turned 65 in June, said she decided to retire after watching her husband enjoy his own retirement for the past year. The couple plans to visit U.S. national parks, including the Grand Canyon, as well as Italy and Greece starting next year.
“I love what I do, and I could keep doing it,” Hamer said in the release, “but I realized that with all three of our adult children and two grandchildren here in the Chicago area, this is a wonderful time for us to have an active retirement together as a couple and as a family.”
