Candidate Interviews: Park District of Highland Park Board (3 for 2 seats) (Audio)

Three candidates, all newcomers, are competing for two full terms (6 years) on the Park District of Highland Park Board of Commissioners.

Josie Beck (www.checkbeck2025.com) is president of the local parks foundation and founded a garden design company. Steven Greenberg (Stevefortheparks.com) is an environmental advocate who has volunteered with the park district for 30-plus years. Thomas Vanden Berk is retired and a longtime gun-control advocate. Click to view basic profiles of the candidates collected and published by The Record.

Two candidates were interviewed by The Record Editor in Chief Joe Coughlin and their responses were recorded and timed. Vanden Berk did not respond to multiple Record attempts to schedule an interview.

Questions are listed in the order they were asked, and the candidates are listed in the order they will appear on the ballot. You can use the navigation tools below to skip to specific questions. You can listen to the audio recordings grouped by candidate at these links: Josie Beck | Steven Greenberg.

JUMP TO: Opening statements | West Ridge renovations | Programming | Inclusivity | Sustainability | Closing Statements

Opening statements

West Ridge Center is a major investment for the district. What should the center be and how has the process gone so far? 

How are park district programs serving Highland Park families? Where is room for improvement?

Park programs and spaces should serve all. Are they? Is any community underserved? If so, how can that be improved?

Grade the park district’s efforts in sustainability. What should be done in the future?

Closing statements