August 14: Facility and Recreation Committee Meeting

Staff provided a five-year comparison of ceramics enrollment figures. Staff will conduct a needs assessment to help guide future planning efforts.

Staff presented the first draft of the business plan summary for the new indoor pickleball and padel facility. The presentation included a facility overview, proposed programs and services, membership options, proposed fee and operational structure, and the 2025 budget summary.

Staff presented the annual report for Deer Creek Racquet Club highlighting record-breaking moments and facility improvements. The report also provided a comparison of budgeted vs. actual revenues, enrollments, court utilization figures. 

Staff reviewed the Highland Park Senior Center and parking lot improvements schedule and operational impacts to the Recreation Center of Highland Park. 

August 20: Finance Committee Meeting

Staff reviewed and provided bid recommendations for the Sunset Woods Improvements project and the Asphalt Improvements project.

The cost estimates from W.B. Olson, construction management/general contracting company, for the new facility and site improvements at West Ridge Park came in under budget.

Currently, there is an intergovernmental agreement between Lake County Forest Preserve District, High School Township District 113, and the Park District of Highland Park outlining the Park District’s annual maintenance responsibilities for prairie wolf slough. The current term is set to expire. It was the consensus of the Finance Committee to terminate the park district’s maintenance obligations.

Staff provided a quarterly report of budgeted vs. actual revenues and enrollment figures for Centennial Ice Arena programs, camps, daily fees, and rentals.

August 21: Workshop Meeting of the Park Board

The Park Board of Commissioners appointed Rafael Labrador through May 2025 to fill the Commissioner vacancy. Rafael Labrador took the Oath of Office.

The Park Board of Commissioners approved the approve the Zoning Amendment Exhibit E Unconditional Agreement and Consent, a special exception allowing a vote for approval of a naming ordinance for the new Pickleball and Padel Facility to “Club Pickle & Padel” five days prior to the end of the 60-day waiting period, and Ordinance 2024-08 to name the new indoor pickleball and padel facility “Club Pickle & Padel”.

Staff provided construction updates for the New Facility and Site Improvements at West Ridge Park, Lot 3 Pickleball and Padel Facility project, the Recreation Center of Highland Park Construction projects, the Jeff Fox Baseball Field Improvements project, Deer Creek Racquet Club Locker Room Improvements project, Deer Creek Racquet Club Parking Lot Improvements project, and the Danny Cunniff Playground Resurfacing and Fencing project.

The Park Board of Commissioners has reviewed the Closed Session Minutes and determined that the Closed Session minutes from January 31, 2024, Regular Meeting no longer require confidential treatment and be released for public inspection.

August 28: Policy Committee Meeting

The Human Resources Department is revising the current Employee Handbook. To begin review of employee policies, the Human Resources Department is providing those that are most impactful to 2025 budget planning and 2025 annual employee benefits programs.  Staff reviewed proposed revisions to policies impacting work conditions (safety and security), employee benefits programs, and time off benefits.

August 28: Regular Meeting of the Park Board

The Park Board of Commissioners approved the 2024 Asphalt Improvements Project bid and the Centennial Ice Arena Dehumidifier Unit Purchase.

Unfortunately, the Sunset Wood Improvements project is still over budget by $154,422, even with the removal of value engineering items and reducing the bid alternates. Some capital projects will have to be deferred to cover the costs. Staff are not recommending approval this evening. Instead, staff would like to review and better understand the impacts to the five-year capital plan before providing a bid recommendation and requesting approval at the September 04, 2024, Special Meeting.

The Park District is submitting an OSLAD Grant Application to support the reimagining of West Ridge Park, specifically, the development of a 90ft baseball field serving 13U, 14U+, and adults, player seating, and field drainage.

The Parks Foundation and Staff are preparing for the Smash for Charity Pickleball Tournament on September 21, 2024, from 8:00 – 2:00 p.m. The fundraising event will host up to 92 teams. Proceeds will support scholarship programs.

Staff provided an annual report for Centennial Ice Arena comparing budgeted vs. actual revenues and enrollment figures for programs, camps, daily fees, and rentals.

The Grand Opening event for Jeff Fox Field at Larry Fink Memorial Park is Monday, September 9 from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.

The APP Chicago Open Pickleball Tournament is being hosted for the fourth year at Danny Cunniff Park. The tournament is August 28 – September 1. Come watch the nation’s top pickleball players return to Highland Park and compete for the $100,000 prize.