The Park District of Highland Park begins construction at Park Avenue Boating Facility to replace the Breakwater and Boat Ramp as planned on September 6, 2022. Construction hours will be 7 am to 4 pm Monday – Friday. The anticipated reopening of the new Park Avenue Breakwater and Boat Ramp is Spring 2023.

During the project, the concrete and sand ramps will not be available. Communication has been sent out to our boating community, providing launching options through the remainder of the season. Boat launching is not allowed on the North Beach at Park Ave.

Pedestrian access is permitted from the sidewalk on the west side of the Water Plant during construction. Vehicles will not have access to the Park Avenue Boating Facility south parking lot on weekdays beginning September 6, 2022. Non-boater vehicle access and parking will only be available at the North Beach parking lot.

Learn more about this project.

The Park District is participating in a Morton Arboretum study to treat and track the health of declining oak trees at Heller Nature Center and Sunset Woods Park.  A total of eight District trees (four white oaks and four red oaks) are part of the ongoing study. According to the USDA Forest Service, management solutions are urgently needed to cope with the large number of oak trees that are declining in our nation’s forests. The Park District has been working to address oak decline since 2019 and has a tradition of strategically planting new trees in our parks.

Learn more about the threat to native trees in the United States.

Plans are underway to renovate portions of Centennial Ice Arena including an improved drop-off area, lobby, multi-purpose room, locker rooms, office space, restrooms, and viewing into the gymnastics rooms.  Once approved by the Park Board, the project is expected to begin in early summer 2022.

• A new vehicle turn-around to make drop-off and pickups easy and efficient.
• Resurfaced parking lots with more lighting and pedestrian connections will make the walk from the parking lots safe and easy.
• Upon entry, visitors will be immediately greeted by an open and welcoming reception desk.
• Raised ceilings will brighten and open the lobby.
• With the removal of the concession area and additional windows, patrons will have a full view of gymnasts at work.
• Updated washrooms and a gender-neutral restroom give the facility a fresh and inclusive feel.
• All four hockey locker rooms will be updated and include new restrooms and showers.
• Drainage improvements to protect the infrastructure of the building from flooding.
• Enhance entry landscaping.

To make way for construction, our gymnastics programs have moved to Lincoln Elementary School gymnasium. Our gymnastics families can park in the lot adjacent to the gymnasium in the northwest corner. The lot entrance is at Oakwood (Oakwood and Green Bay Road). Additional parking is located on Lincoln Avenue. Gymnasts can enter the building through Door A3.

Lincoln Elementary School
711 Lincoln Ave West
Highland Park, IL 60035

During our regular annual maintenance, a potential issue was uncovered on the rink floor. The Park District is awaiting the results of a formal engineering assessment conducted in early July on the condition of the rink and facility and repair options. While we hope to have the ice rink safely operational before Fall, the formal engineering assessment and repair options may indicate the need for a more robust repair. For this reason, we are not currently accepting registrations for our Fall skating programs.

We understand the significant impact this unexpected information has on our skaters. The continuation of hockey and figure skating programs and services are important to the Park District, and the formal engineering assessment and repair of the ice rink is a priority. We will provide additional information on this page and via email to our skating families as soon as information is received. If you have any questions, please contact Carol Sassorossi at [email protected] or 847-579-4103. 

Once the renovation project begins, ice skating programs will run and communication will be distributed to skating participants via email. Signs will be posted around the building indicating open entrances. Please be aware of adjusted parking and entrance configurations as we navigate through this exciting construction project.

Connect with your park district! Download your new Park District app and have all the information you need at the touch of a button. The app is your destination for:

• Virtual Passes – Add all your passes to your app for a quick and easy scan-ins at Rosewood Beach, Hidden Creek AquaPark, and the Rec Center. 
• Sports & Group Fitness Schedules – Check game times and locations, and your favorite fitness class times.
• Facility Information & Conditions – Access facility hours, locations, contacts, and timely information such as a time change or an emergency closure due to weather. 
• Interactive Map –Search our map by park name or amenity.  Looking for a playground appropriate for a 5-year-old or an excellent place to catch a fish — we’ve got it. Each park page includes the street address, hours, size, and even the park’s history. 
• Registration – View program options and register right from your app.
• Events & Meetings – There is always something going on at your park district – get a comprehensive listing of events and important meetings, including details and locations. You can even favorite an event or add it to your electronic calendar.  
• Push notifications – You choose the types of information you want to receive so you will never miss an important update or message.
• Promotional Coupons – Exclusive only to our app users! Receive valuable coupons from businesses in Highland Park and the Park District.   

Download the app before December 31, 2022 and receive a $5 coupon you can use at any Park District location (some restrictions apply). 

We are so excited for you to experience our new app first hand; let us know what you think. Check out the video below that highlights the new features and how to navigate the new app to get you started. 

The Park Board approved a temporary repair of the Park Avenue Boating Facility concrete ramp. On June 1, 2021, a section of the concrete ramp collapsed, resulting in the ramp’s closure for the remainder of the 2021 boating season. The temporary repair project will allow for safe use of the boat ramp from Memorial Day Weekend 2022 through Labor Day Weekend 2022. The total cost for the project is $34,500. It will include casting a new concrete topping over the damaged portion of the submerged concrete ramp, filling a void below the upper part of the concrete ramp, and repairing damaged concrete at the top of the ramp. 

Costs for permanent replacement of the concrete boat ramp and breakwater at Park Avenue are expected to be reviewed by the Park Board on March 9, 2022. If approved, that project would begin in Fall 2022 and be completed by the beginning of the 2023 boating season.