I. A public hearing to approve a proposed property tax levy increase for Park District of Highland Park Lake County, Illinois for 2024 will be held on December 18, 2024 at 636 West Ridge Road, Highland Park, IL 60035 at 6pm.
Any person desiring to appear at the public hearing and present testimony to the taxing district may contact Mari-Lynn Peters at [email protected].
II. The corporate and special purpose property taxes extended or abated for 2023 were $13,736,538.
The proposed corporate and special purposed property taxes to be levied for 2024 are $14,444,642. This represents a 5.15% increase over the previous year.
III. The property taxes extended for debt services and public building commission leases for 2023 were $1,703,183.
The estimated property taxes to be levied for debt service and public building commission leases for 2024 are $1,869,173.
IV. The total property taxes extended or abated for 2023 were $15,562,599.
The estimated total property taxes to be levied for 2024 are $16,313,815. This represents a 4.83% increase over the previous year.
It takes a dedicated team of expert planners, world-class landscape architects, and highly skilled craftspeople, to keep your parks beautiful and the facilities working perfectly, providing you with the recreational, fitness, and educational services you’ve come to expect from your Park District. We’d like to introduce you to some of the people who dream big, and then make sure every little detail is in place, so that you, your kids, your family, and your friends and neighbors can enjoy everything we have to offer.
The Planning and Projects team, led by Jeff Smith, our Director of Projects, Planning, and IT, works to a large degree behind the scenes, but the results are out front and visible to everyone every day. It starts with planning sessions, where big concepts like sustainability are addressed. “We are starting to take the lead on sustainability across the Park District,” said Planning Manager, Amalia Schwartz, “so we can ensure that what we do is systematic, actionable, measurable, and efficient.
Casey Lawler, Planning & Projects Supervisor, is leading the collaborative process to revise and update the Sustainability Plan. “We’ve done a great deal of research this year, looking at what cities and park districts across Illinois are doing. “We take a very holistic approach, looking at effects on the district and the community”
The new plan is due to be approved in 2025. “The plan will be robust, actionable, and impactful,” Lawler added, “and then my job will be to facilitate the implementation of that plan.”
The planning process for projects large and small that are required to keep the District running smoothly year-round is an integral part of the budgeting process. Jeff Smith explained “For our five-year Capital Plan we allocate funds and plan purchases for items over $10,000, and that happens every year. We developed a process where items in the plan have priorities, and we assign a tier to them to allocate funding. Amalia meets with every area of the district and we talk through their needs.”
Jeff’s team also includes Landscape Architect, Mike Evans—who has been with the District for more than 40 years—and Projects Manager, Ben Kutscheid, who is also a Landscape Architect with more than 30 years of experience. For planning and budgeting, Jeff said “We track the life expectancy of equipment, playgrounds, courts, and roofs—everything right down to the asphalt. I can tell you which courts are going to need to be replaced in 20 years, for example. All that comes together to inform the current plan, and in 2025 that becomes part of the budget. But our department’s plans always go out well beyond the next few years.”
How does even the most experienced planning and projects team continue to know what’s best for the District? By talking to staff in every department. That’s a given. But they do something that’s even more important. They talk to you! Community outreach is an integral part of their planning process, and it informs much of what the team puts into projects like the playground renovations that are so important to families.
“We go out and meet people in the parks,” said Casey. “For example, this summer I was out at Rosewood Park, Larry Fink Park, and Lincoln Park, talking to people and sharing our plans for the playground equipment. We like to bring them options, and the community is very much involved in the process of deciding what they want in their park.” Not only does that impact the playgrounds, but it affects decisions on things that might be overlooked, but are important to people who live around the park, “like the color of a building.”
For that, Amalia added “I think the renovations at Old Elm are a good example of how we communicate and interact with the neighbors and tailor our approach for each project. We sent out a postcard that alerted everybody to the planned improvements; we distributed and analyzed the results of a survey; we held community meetings and kept everyone informed of progress on the project through our website and social media. We did have quite a bit of interest in that playground, which was expected, but throughout the process we also heard an interest in the color of the bathroom building. We responded to that interest by offering three different color options for the building and for the trim. Over the course of the survey we heard from over 70 respondents. It’s exciting and fun when people want to engage with us about the parks.”
It’s the philosophy behind how these planners engage. It’s not theory. It’s real life. Sure, it’s big concepts, but it comes down to the details that make people’s lives a little bit better every day.
This feels like a good time to tell you about some of the projects that were completed in 2024 and a few that you’ll want to watch for in 2025. The new Jeff Fox Field, at Larry Fink Memorial Park, had a celebratory Grand Opening in August. The Compton Avenue Trail project finished in July, connecting The Preserve of Highland Park’s trail system to Half Day Road. Walkers and bikers rejoiced! Up above your head, there were a number of roofs replaced, keeping us all safe and dry. Tennis players enjoyed beautiful new courts at Woodridge Park. Kennedy Park has a brand new north field backstop, and there are new Tot Lot surfaces, and a new entry walk and gates at Danny Cunniff Park. In progress for 2025 are more than a dozen significant projects, including parks, playgrounds and Tot Lots, beaches and bluffs, and the opening of Club Pickle & Padel, a state-of-the-art 50,000 square foot venue designed to bring the community together to enjoy these two great sports. And did we mention that construction of a new West Ridge Center, will start next year? Dreams becoming reality, all across your Park District.
Ben Kutscheid talked about another important project. “With Lincoln School being torn down, they’re removing the 5 to 12 year-old playground. Our original plan for Lincoln Park was to replace the 2 to 5 year-old playground. We had gone through our usual robust public process, and chosen a direction. But because of the school being demolished, the community came to us with concerns about losing their ages 5 to 12 playground. So, we changed direction and the plan now includes both playgrounds. That’s how we try to respond to community needs.”
Two playgrounds cost more than one. Unplanned costs. But because this team has extensive experience with state and federal grants, they applied for and were awarded an Open Space Land and Development grant (OSLAD). Good news for everyone, and construction is scheduled to begin in July 2025. Ben added, “Grant funding was critical in this process, and will allow us to accomplish more for the community. It’s a great story.”
You can stay up-to-date on the plans and projects you’re interested in by visiting our dedicated website section. It always has the most current information about your neighborhood park and the beautiful spaces that the whole community enjoys.
As part of the team’s efforts to “meet people where they are, and not rely only on surveys” This year, Casey collaborated with the recreation department to create something unique in the ‘information gathering world’. “We joined forces with the recreation team to meet people where they are. The Recreation team planned a wonderful series of pop-ups in the parks and the planning team attended and was available to talk with community members interested in upcoming projects.” It worked like a charm. “There was a magician in a park, there was music in parks, they had arts and crafts in the parks. So, when they were out doing those pop-up events, I would be there too. It was crazy. It was huge!” Ben added, “120 people came out to watch a magician in the park!”
About the on-site listening sessions, Amalia said, “I started listening sessions in Highland Park when we did the lakefront for Master Plan update, and I was surprised at how well it worked. Sometimes I’d get tons of people, or I’d just get somebody who passed by and gave me a little piece of information that we’d never thought of. It’s a great way to get honest feedback. Last summer we went to every one of our parks at least twice, sat and talked to people. We got a lot of great information, and value the feedback from the people that depend on the parks.”
Surveys are still an important part of our process. The Summer 2024 “Your Parks, Your Perspectives” initiative involved hundreds of interviews during dozens of park visits, plus a substantial online survey. Read what you told us here.
Maybe you were one of those people who talked to Amalia, Ben, Casey, Mike and Jeff. Now that you know they are out there, you can add your personal experiences to the mix of great information being gathered. Perhaps now you know just a bit more about how your Park District works behind the scenes to make life better for the Highland Park and Highwood communities. The work continues, and we’ll be bringing you more stories about specific projects that were completed in 2024 and are on track to be finished in 2025. Have a question? The answer is likely on our website.
Until next time… See you around the parks!
We are happy to report that the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) has awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting to the Park District of Highland Park for its annual comprehensive financial report for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023. This is the 35th consecutive year the Park District has received the award. The report has been judged by an impartial panel to meet the high standards of the program, which includes demonstrating a constructive “spirit of full disclosure” to clearly communicate its financial story and motivate potential users and user groups to read the report.
The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management.
Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) advances excellence in government finance by providing best practices, professional development, resources, and practical research for more than 21,000 members and the communities they serve.
| Facility | Tue, December 24 | Wed, December 25 | Special Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Centennial Ice Arena | Closed | Closed | View Holiday Break Hours |
| Deer Creek Racquet Club | 8am-Noon | Closed | |
| Heller Nature Center | Building Open 10:30am-Noon, Trails Open 7:30am to Dusk | Building Closed, Trails Open 7:30am to Dusk | |
| Recreation Center of Highland Park (Fitness) | 7am-Noon | Closed | |
| Recreation Center of Highland Park (Indoor Pool) | 7-11:30am | Closed | Special Holiday Open Swim, Dec 26 & 27: Noon-5pm |
| West Ridge Center | 8:30am-Noon | Closed |
Open Gym Hours: Play ball with the family, or pick up a game with friends during any of our open gym times.
Note: Due to a pipe burst affecting the gym, we are currently offering limited open gym times. We appreciate your patience during this time.
| Facility | Tue, December 31 | Wed, January 1 | Special Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Centennial Ice Arena | 9:30-11:30am | Closed | View Holiday Break Hours |
| Deer Creek Racquet Club | 8am-Noon | 8am-Noon | |
| Heller Nature Center | Building Open 10:30am-Noon, Trails Open 7:30am to Dusk | Building Closed, Trails Open 7:30am to Dusk | |
| Recreation Center of Highland Park (Fitness) | 7am-Noon | 7am-Noon | |
| Recreation Center of Highland Park (Indoor Pool) | 7-11:30am | 7-11:30am | Special Holiday Open Swim, Jan 2 & 3: Noon-5pm |
| West Ridge Center | 8:30am-Noon | Closed |
Open Gym Hours: Play ball with the family, or pick up a game with friends during any of our open gym times.
Note: Due to a pipe burst affecting the gym, we are currently offering limited open gym times. We appreciate your patience during this time.
Over the past month, crews have made significant progress, including installing plumbing for the clubhouse structure and electric conduits throughout the dome area. Foundations for the padel courts have been dug and poured, while concrete pads for the mechanical units and generators have been completed, with the units now delivered and set in place. Asphalt work for the pickleball and padel courts has also been finalized.
In the coming month, crews will connect the mechanical units and generators to the electrical system. New sanitary sewer service, water lines, and piping for electric service will also be installed.
Click on photo to enlarge.
The Human Resources Department is revising the current Employee Handbook. Staff reviewed proposed revisions to policies impacting work conditions (safety and security), employee benefits programs, and time off benefits.
Staff reviewed the sponsorship program report comparing sponsorship and advertising partners and revenues over the last five years and 2025 plans.
Staff provided construction updates for the New Facility and Site Improvements at West Ridge Park, Club Pickle and Padel Facility project, the Recreation Center of Highland Park Construction projects, Sunset Valley Golf Club Cart Path project, Old Elm and Port Clinton Playground Improvements project, Rosewood Park Playground Replacement Design Concepts, Sunset Woods Park Improvements project, and Park Avenue Boating Facility North Beach Improvements project.
Staff provided a preview of the proposed process to update the GreenPrint Master Plan.
Staff provided a brief overview of the participant survey results for the ceramics program.
Staff reviewed the bid results for the 2024 Track Aerial Lift and provided a purchase recommendation.
Staff provided a construction cost update for the Club Pickle and Padel project.
Staff reviewed the proposed 2025 Budget.
Staff reviewed the process from 2014 to develop the GreenPrint 2024 Master Plan and compared it to the proposed process to update the master plan through the next five years.
The Park Board of Commissioners approved the 2025 Board Meeting Calendar, 2025 IAPD/IPRA Credentials Certificate, the 2024 Track Aerial Lift Bid Purchase, Ordinance 2024-11 Authorizing and Providing for the Conveyance or Sale of Surplus Personal Property, and the Truth in Taxation Resolution #2024-02.
Staff provided an end of season lakefront report comparing attendance and revenues and expenses at Rosewood Beach from 2022 – 2024. Staff also compared actual vs. budgeted revenues and expenses for Park Avenue Beach and Boating Facility Loyalty Memberships.
We’re excited to announce that the Fitness Floor at the Recreation Center is reopening in a temporary new location while we continue repairs to the main fitness area! We’ve transformed our gymnasium into a fully equipped workout space, and we can’t wait for you to experience it!
What’s New in Our Temporary Fitness Space?
This temporary setup is fully equipped to keep you on track with your fitness goals as we work to restore the main fitness floor. We’ve made sure you have everything you need to stay active and healthy during this transition!
Reciprocity with Our Neighboring Fitness Centers
We want to remind you that reciprocity with Sachs Center, Glenview Park Center, and Wilmette Center Fitness Club comes to an end on Sunday, December 8. We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to our neighbors for their generosity during this time as we’ve transitioned through the unfortunate pipe burst. Please take advantage of this opportunity if you plan to visit any of these centers before Sunday.
Thank You for Your Patience!
We appreciate your understanding while we make necessary repairs to the main fitness floor. We’re working hard to bring you an even better space, and in the meantime, we’re here to support you in our temporary location.
We look forward to seeing you back on the fitness floor soon!
Check everyone off your list with merch from your favorite Park District facilities! Proceeds from all shop sales go to the Parks Foundation of Highland Park, ensuring that every Highland Park and Highwood resident can access Park District programs.
DEER CREEK RACQUET CLUB T-SHIRT
$36
ROSEWOOD BEACH FLEECE SWEATSHIRT
$47
PARK AVENUE BOATING WEEKENDER BAG
$45
HELLER NATURE CENTER MUG
$15
THE PRESERVE JIGSAW PUZZLE
$32
SUNSET VALLEY GOLF CLUB FLEECE BLANKET
$36
Not sure what to get? Purchase a ParkShop gift card!
GIVE THE GIFT OF STAYING HEALTHY
Purchase our 10-pack of Core Plus Day Passes! Each pass includes a full facility access day to all Recreation Center of Highland Park amenities including equipment on the fitness floor, open/lap swim, running/walking track, open gym, and the entire drop-in group exercise schedule!
PURCHASE PARK DISTRICT GIFT CARDS
Park District of Highland Park gift cards are great gift ideas for teachers, kids, moms, and dads, or that “hard to buy for” friend or relative. Buy a stack of cards to keep at home for last minute gifts. Gift cards are available in any denomination. Redeemable for activities, memberships, events, admission fees and products at any Park District facility or online.
GIFT A ROUND OF GOLF
Gift cards can be purchased for those golf lovers in your life! Gift cards are sold at Sunset Valley Golf Club or online.
Stop by Sunset Valley Golf Club for our end-of-season sale:
Call 847.432.7140 for more information.
Proceeds from your donation will go toward improving our community parks and facilities. For questions and to submit forms, please contact Mike Evans at [email protected] or call 847.579.4085.
Choose from a selection of trees in a selected park. A 2.75” x 5” raised lettering plaque with your personalized message is displayed at the base of your tree. Orders are accepted throughout the year; plantings are dependent upon availability, season and weather.
New Tree: $1,500 (includes warranty for 3 years)
Park benches are 6-foot-wide with a personalized 2.75” x 5” raised lettering plaque. The exact location will be coordinated at the time of purchase and is subject to approval by Park District staff.
Park Bench: $3,500 (includes warranty for 10 years)
Bricks inscribed with your personal message are available at several locations around the Park District. Orders are sent to the fabricator on March 1 and August 1 of each year.
The Parks Foundation also offers individuals and organizations the opportunity to give major gifts, such as underwriting the cost of playgrounds, buildings, and additions, or gifting an item to one of our facilities. If you are interested in learning more about these opportunities, please contact Brian Romes, Executive Director of the Park District of Highland Park, at [email protected].
In 2015, Park District staff developed the District’s first Sustainability Plan to identify strategies to achieve sustainability goals and better coordinate with City-wide priorities. The 2015 plan has since been used as an internal document guiding practices leading to quantifiable achievements in District operations. Staff presented a progress report on recent sustainability efforts and shared draft goals and objectives for a new Sustainability plan.
Staff provided construction updates for the New Facility and Site Improvements at West Ridge Park, the Recreation Center of Highland Park Construction projects, Danny Cunniff Playground Resurfacing and Fencing project, Old Elm and Port Clinton Playground Improvements project, Rosewood Park Playground Replacement Design Concepts, Sunset Woods Park Improvements project, and Park Avenue Boating Facility North Beach Improvements project.
Staff presented the updated agreement terms between the Park District and the Homeowners Association for the Rory David Deutsch Tot Lot and the proposed playground and site improvements.
Staff provided a tax levy recommendation and the impacts for an individual taxpayer.
Staff reviewed the five-year health insurance cost trends at the District and management’s strategy to address rising costs while continuing to offer employees a quality health benefits structure.
The Human Resources Department is revising the current Employee Handbook. Staff reviewed proposed revisions to policies impacting military leave and bereavement leave, payroll and recording of hours worked, and employee conduct.
Staff shared images of construction progress for the new Club Pickle and Padel facility and site and presented the phased marketing approach to promote the new facility and membership since the grand opening has been delayed.
The Park Board of Commissioners approved Ordinance 2024-10 Authorizing and Providing for the Conveyance or Sale of Surplus Personal Property.
Staff presented the end-of-season report for Hidden Creek AquaPark. The report compared attendance figures, revenues from daily admissions, memberships and rentals, and operational expenses from maintenance and staffing costs over the last three years (2022 – 2024).
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family! Before heading to your favorite Park District facility, be sure to check our Thanksgiving hours.
| Facility | Thursday, November 28 | Friday, November 29 | Saturday, November 30 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Centennial Ice Arena | Closed | 9am-4:30pm | 9am-4:30pm |
| Deer Creek Racquet Club | 8am-noon | 6:30am-3pm | 7:30am-6pm |
| Heller Nature Center | Building Closed, Trails Open 7:30am to Dusk | Building Closed, Trails Open 7:30am to Dusk | Building Open 9am-3pm, Trails Open 7:30am to Dusk |
| Recreation Center of Highland Park (Fitness) | 7am-noon (pool closes at 11:30am) | 7am-6pm (pool closes at 5:30pm) | 7am-6pm (pool closes at 5:30pm) |
| Sunset Valley Golf Club | Closed | Closed | Closed |
| West Ridge Center | Closed | Closed | Closed |
The Recreation Center houses two high school regulation-sized basketball courts. Play ball with the family, or pick up a game with friends during any of our open gym times.
