Larry Piekarz

     Larry Piekarz has worked in the parks and recreation field since 1979. He has worked for the Park District of Forest Park since 1989. He started as Superintendent of Recreation and was named Director of Parks and Recreation in 2007 when Dave Novak retired. He has also served as Commissioner for the Streamwood Park District for ten years and as State Director for the National Youth Sports Coaches Association for ten years. Larry has been involved with softball for over thirtyfive years as a player, umpire, league supervisor, and now as tournament director of the best softball tournament on the planet – the Forest Park No-Gloves National 16-inch Softball Tournament. His love of softball and the tournament shows every year when he and his excellent park district staff and commissioners are often the first ones to arrive and the last ones to leave. Larry and his wife, Mary, have been married for over thirty years. They have four children – Joe (Courtney), Tom (Shelly), Betsy and Emily. Larry and Mary are proud grandparents to four wonderful grandchildren.