Plainfield Park District’s Bettin is ‘Professional of the Year’

Plainfield Park District Assistant Executive Director Cameron Bettin was in for a surprise when he attended the Illinois Park and Recreation Association awards last week.

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Bettin, who also serves as the park district’s superintendent of planning, had no idea he was up for an award until he heard his name being called.

“They really got me,” said Bettin, who was named this year’s Professional of the Year for the IPRA’s Park and Natural Resource Management section.

Bettin was nominated for the award by Woodridge Park District Superintendent of Planning and Development Jenny Knitter and Wheaton Park District Director of Planning Rob Sperl.

“I was totally blown away and completely honored that my peers appreciate what I’ve been doing for our section,” said Bettin, who has been active in planning workshops and educational sessions for fellow park district staffers from throughout Illinois.

“Cameron just steps up at every opportunity he can to help assist other professionals,” Knitter said. “He does all he can to help educate and bring people together … [The award] should have been given to him years ago.”

Bettin received the honor Friday at the IPRA awards at Chevy Chase Country Club in Wheeling.

Bettin got his start in the parks and recreation industry as an intern at the Wheaton Park District in 1989. He has been with the Plainfield Park District since 2004.