Lydia Pond

About Lydia Pond

Experienced Recreation Director with a demonstrated history of working in the higher education industry. Skilled in Facility Management, Strategic thinking, Volunteer Management, Student Development, Public Speaking, Athletics, and the outdoors. Strong community and social services professional with a Master\'s degree focused in Sports Administration from Eastern Illinois University.

Experience

1. Director of Visitor Services

   Forest Preserve District Of Will County

   May 2023 — Present

   Lydia serves as the Director of Visitor Services for the Forest Preserve District of Will County. She is responsible for the planning, development, coordination, oversight, and operation of the Visitor Services Department, its personnel (40+ FT/PT employees), six (6) visitor facilities throughout the county, two concessions building, their programming sections and programs, as well as assisting other departments in planning and management of Forest Preserve lands and facilities. Day-to-day Lydia manages the daily operations of the visitor facilities including operational, interpretive, and programmatic facility planning. Each facility offers unique educational, recreational, and/or interpretive programs and services for the Forest Preserve as well as large scale events and exhibitions. Visitor Services is also responsible for the Forest Preserve’s Permitting and Recreation section which includes picnics, camping, facility rentals, program registrations, and dog park permits. The Forest Preserve District of Will County owns and/or manages over acres of land, 72 forest preserves, and more than 125 miles of trails for biking, hiking, horseback riding, running, and/or snowshoeing. Visitor Centers in the Forest Preserve District of Will County include:Four Rivers Environmental Education Center, ChannahonHidden Oaks Nature Center, BolingbrookHidden Lakes Trout Farm, BolingbrookIsle a la Cache Museum, RomeovillePlum Creek Nature Center, CreteMonee Reservoir, MoneeSugar Creek Administration Center, JolietLake Renwick Heron Rookery, Plainfield

Education

• Eastern Illinois University

  Master of Science - MS, Sports Administration

  2009 — 2010

• Eastern Illinois University

  Bachelor of Science - BS, Recreation Administration

  2005 — 2009

Skills

• Sports Management
• Community Outreach
• Social Networking
• Public Speaking
• Event Management
• Student Affairs
• Student Development
• Event Planning
• Program Development
• Sports
• Social Media
• Sports Marketing
• Nonprofits
• Higher Education
• Volunteer Management