Weathering the Storm: Lake County Parks’ Storm Heroes

When the storm hit, Lake County Parks showed what it means to be there for our community.

There are more helping hands to recognize than we could ever count, but four names consistently rose to the top when we asked staff and administration who went above and beyond: Bryan Kendzierski, Hal Warren, Kris Wielunski, and Jamie Wrecsics. Their stories represent the dedication of an entire parks team that stepped up, pitched in, and kept going long after the storm passed.

In the immediate aftermath, office staff joined park managers and park technicians in the field, pulling limbs, cutting fallen trees, clearing trails, and repairing facilities. While much of the region was at a standstill, Lake County Parks teams were working to reopen parks, make shelters ready, and restore safe access for the public. Many did so while dealing with power outages at their own homes and park facilities. Seasonal and part-time employees, along with The Nature Conservancy, also contributed to the recovery, with many staff members continuing storm cleanup for weeks while keeping up with their regular responsibilities.

Bryan Kendzierski and Hal Warren each put in an estimated 200 or more hours on storm cleanup. We lost count after three consecutive weeks of watching them head back out to tackle the next job. Bryan, Hal, and Jamie (who was always on hand to provide and repair equipment!) worked together at eight or more parks, properties, and trails, removing tree debris and helping repair storm-damaged facilities.

Kris Wielunski, who leads our Natural Areas crew, also went above and beyond from the very beginning. Kris went more than two weeks without power at home, and a fallen tree had damaged his car. Yet he rode his bike to work every day, navigating road closures and the challenges left behind by the storm.  His usual work focuses on invasive plant management and protecting the native habitats that make our parks ecologically valuable. After the storm, he shifted gears to help clear the damage.

That commitment matters because parks are essential community spaces, especially when communities face disruption. When the power is out and homes are damaged, parks offer room to breathe, places to walk and exercise, opportunities to reconnect with nature, and welcoming spaces to gather away from the stress of recovery. Safe, accessible parks contribute to a community’s well-being in ordinary times and become even more valuable when life is anything but ordinary.

Storm recovery also reminds us that parks do not maintain themselves. Behind every open trail, ready-to-use shelter, healthy natural area, and welcoming public space are people, equipment, resources, and countless hours of work. Investing in our parks means investing in the people and infrastructure that allow these places to serve the public through every season – and through every storm.

Our parks are essential to Lake County. The people who care for them prove it every day.