Don Ritter, Superintendent of Recreation & Deputy Director for the Woodridge Park District, was recently awarded the 2024 Employee of the Year as part of the Village’s Community Recognition Program.
In 2025, Don will be celebrating 30 years with the Woodridge Park District. Don leads the Recreation Department, overseeing recreation supervisors who manage programs across the district. His responsibilities also include supervising the ARC, Cypress Cove, and the District’s before-and-after-school Kids Squad Program, as well as camps and Tot School. Along with program oversight, Don manages staff who coordinate a variety of special events, from outdoor movies and music in the parks to Oktoberfest, the Haunted Forest Walk, and the Woodridge Jubilee, which will celebrate its 40th anniversary in 2025.
Throughout his tenure, Don has established a high standard for customer service at the Woodridge Park District. His leadership has fostered collaborative initiatives with neighboring Park Districts, Fire Districts, School Districts, and the Village, ensuring these entities work together to meet community needs responsibly. Known for his cooperative and flexible approach, Don leads with integrity and honesty, earning respect from both staff and community members. Those who interact with him recognize that his primary goal is to enhance the community by creating meaningful experiences and joyful memories that promote physical and mental well-being.
You’ll often find Don at the District’s special events, welcoming attendees with a warm smile and engaging in friendly conversations. His dedication to Parks and Recreation is well-regarded across the state, with recognition among diverse leaders in the Illinois Parks and Recreation Association. Don’s contributions over the past three decades have been invaluable, and we want to honor his unwavering commitment to fulfilling the Woodridge Park District’s mission of enhancing the quality of life through parks, facilities, and recreational services in the Woodridge community.
Caption: (left to right) Village of Woodridge Mayor Gina Cunningham, Employee of the Year Don Ritter, Woodridge Trustee Jennifer Anteliz, and Woodridge Park District Executive Director Jenny Knitter
