To kick off Park and Recreation Month, we’ve put together a list of activities to celebrate where you belong in Highland Park! All month long, we’re highlighting the ways our community is stronger, more vibrant and more resilient because of parks and recreation.  Keep your July busy with these fun events and activities!

1. Enjoy a day at Rosewood Beach – build a sandcastle, play ball in the water, read a book and relax, the possibilities are endless under the sun!
2. Grab a paddle and play some pickleball at one of our 16 courts at Danny Cunniff Park
3. Walk the trails at Heller Nature Center – visit the beehives, play at the Wander Woods Nature Play Space, or read a book along Constance’s Story Trail
4. Take part in our Independence Day Events – a morning remembrance ceremony, an afternoon parade along a new route in Downtown Highland Park, and the return of the family friendly 4th Fest.
5. Visit the Art Exhibit at Heller Nature Center – the Art Exhibit features a new artist every few months. Observe the beautiful paintings and photographs displayed in the Prairie Room.
6. Play a game of basketball! We offer indoor Open Gym at the Recreation Center of Highland Park and have 11 outdoor parks with basketball hoops.
7. Support local vendors at the Ravinia Farmers Market – visit Jens Jensen Park every Wednesday at 7am-1pm for locally grown and sourced goods. You’ll find something new and different every week!
8. Catch a fish! We have 4 parks to go fishing – Danny Cunniff Park, Foley’s Pond, Larry Fink Memorial Park and The Preserve of Highland Park
9. Start your day in the most breathtaking way at beach yoga – enjoy yoga with a beautiful view at Rosewood Beach
10. Bring the family to River’s Edge Mini Golf – do you have what it takes to get a hole-in-one at our 18-hole mini golf course?
11. Try something new and learn to sail, kayak and paddle board at the North Shore Yacht Club
12. Too hot to be outside? Spend a few hours ice skating at Centennial Ice Arena during pubic skate at 2:40-4:10pm on Wednesdays, July 17, 24 and 31.
13. Did you know that more than 117 species of birds have been identified at The Preserve of Highland Park? Take a walk through the 100+ acre property and try to find as many birds as you can.
14. Enjoy free live music at Sunset Valley Golf Club on Friday, July 19! Bring a few friends for an evening of live entertainment featuring music by Mike Jansen!
15. Check out our Free Park Pop-Up Series! Enjoy Animals in the Park on Friday, July 12 and Concert in the Park on Sunday, July 21!
16. Practice your swing at the Highland Park Golf Learning Center – improve your golf skills, practice your game, and have fun with a club!
17. Love the outdoors? Volunteer with us! Become part of the team working to restore our natural areas – volunteers meet most Fridays at Heller Nature Center
18. Gather a group of friends/family and head to our Teams Course at Heller Nature Center – challenge yourselves through thought-provoking ground-level puzzles that can only be accomplished by all members working as a cohesive group.
19. Get fit at Aqua Fit – enjoy the warm weather and get in a great workout in the waters at Hidden Creek AquaPark.
20. Take off into outer space and play at the rocketship playground at Sunset Woods Park – this newly renovated playground is ADA compliant and has a Titanic Tides tot lot located adjacent to it
21. Wind down the night and enjoy cocktails at the new Lagos Bar & Grill at Sunset Valley Golf Club.
22. Pack a lunch and have a picnic in one of our parks – 18 out of our 44 parks has at least one picnic table. Or bring a blanket and be one with nature!
23. Find the hidden rock garden at Millard Beach. Sift and sort stones like basalt, granite, quartz, sandstone, and limestone.
24. Attend one of our events at Heller Nature Center. From Stories in the Woods to Summer Wild Edibles Walk, we have something for everyone!
25. Book a tee time at Sunset Valley Golf Club – our golf course features 18-holes and is enjoyable for every level golfer
26. Try out our two 9-hole disc golf courses located within Larry Fink Memorial Park and Danny Cunniff Park. Enjoy this fun twist on golf and frisbee!
27. Let your pups run around at our two open dog parks at Debbie Gottlieb Beitler Dog Park and Moraine Beach. Dog parks are open every day from dawn to dusk. Membership is required.
28. Get fit with a personal trainer at the Recreation Center of Highland Park – it’s never too late to get started working towards a healthier and strong you. You can also get a free 1-week trial at the Recreation Center of Highland Park!
29. Have you seen our hopscotches around our facilities? Find and hop on our hopscotches at the Recreation Center of Highland Park and Deer Creek Racquet Club!
30. Learn the rules of the road! Bring your kiddos to Safety Village behind West Ridge Center and teach them basic safety procedures when outside – includes crosswalks, stop lights and signs, what to do when there is a train, and more.  Make it more fun and bring bikes and helmets.
31. Don’t forget to register for our Fall programs on Wednesday, July 17 for residents. Save the date and register for our fun autumn events and more!