The Park District is partnering with Fill a Heart 4 Kids to help local homeless and at-risk youth stay nourished through the Thanksgiving school break. Food donations will be accepted Tuesday, Nov 1- Sunday, Nov 13 at the following locations :

Items Needed:

Mon Nov 14 • 1-6:30pm
West Ridge Center • 636 Ridge Rd.
Multiple time slots available

The Parks Foundation of Highland Park has received a grant from the Highland Park Community Foundation. These funds will support the Park Foundation’s “Foundation For Youth” (FYI) Scholarship Program. FYI offers Highwood residents of lesser financial means the opportunity to participate in recreational programs, including swimming lessons and summer camps.

Though the Highwood families attend the same schools as Highland Park residents, Highwood is not within the tax-body bounds of the Park District of Highland Park, and residents cannot take advantage of the Park District’s resident scholarship program.  Highwood also does not have a park district, and the City of Highwood offers limited recreational programs for residents. 

The Park’s Foundation FYI Scholarship Program was introduced in 2019 and currently funds approximately 100 learn-to-swim lessons for low-income Highwood children. FYI summer camp scholarships were also made available to Highwood residents with financial constraints during the COVID-19 pandemic. For families facing increased financial hardship due to the pandemic, recreational activities are often the first expenses cut out of a household budget. At the same time, outlets for exercise and enrichment are more critical than ever in promoting physical, social, and emotional health. Further, the need for greater equity and inclusiveness motivates a primary organizational goal of the Parks Foundation to boost funding so that more Highwood residents may enjoy access to Park District programs. The FYI Scholarship program reaches low-income preschool and school-aged children, predominantly Latino Highwood residents.

“The Parks Foundation is grateful for the Highland Park Community Foundation’s generous support for our FYI Scholarship program. Highwood is an important part of our community – our children go to school together,” says Rafael Labrador, the Parks Foundation Board of Directors president. “FYI helps level the playing field for Highwood families.”

About the Parks Foundation of Highland Park: The Parks Foundation of Highland Park is an independent, community-led, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 2016 to support access to the world-class Park District programs and facilities that enhance community life in Highland Park. Since its inception, the Foundation has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars in grants and donations that help keep taxes and program fees in check and bridge the gap between public resources and the funding needed to maintain our vibrant park system. We are committed to providing the resources for everyone in our community to participate in a wide variety of Park District offerings. Scholarship funds raised by the Foundation have allowed Highland Park/Highwood residents of all ages to enjoy athletic and recreational programs and summer camps. In cooperation with government entities, private enterprises, nonprofit partner organizations, and local families, we enrich current and future generations by supporting the open space and recreational programs that bring our community together. For more information and to donate, visit pfhpil.org.

About Highland Park Community Foundation: The Highland Park Community Foundation was established in 1992 at the request of the City of Highland Park to build and maintain a permanent endowment fund. As the philanthropic heart of the community, the HPCF improves and enriches people’s lives with annual grants to nonprofits that provide educational, human service, and cultural programs for Highland Park and Highwood residents. The Foundation’s avowed purposes are to expand opportunities and address the unmet needs of the community – needs that are not met by governmental or other sources.

The Highland Park Community Foundation annually awards grants though a competitive application and review process. For more information, visit hpcfil.org.

The National Parks & Recreation Association (NRPA) and The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation have awarded the Park District of Highland Park a $600 pack of supplies to help the Park District establish additional pollinator habitats at The Preserve of Highland Park. The award is part of NRPA & Scotts “Parks for Pollinators” national campaign to raise public awareness of the pollinator crisis and encourage local action through public parks and recreation.

As participants in the campaign, Park District staff and volunteers successfully documented a variety of pollinators throughout September at The Preserve. They demonstrated the significance of the newly created habitat at The Preserve and all of the pollinators it supports.

Findings included:

• Monarch butterflies
• Western honey bees
• Eastern honey bees
• Carpenter bees
• Bald-faced hornets
• Small white butterflies
• Delaware skipper butterflies
• Viceroy butterflies
• Tiger moths
• Tussock moths
• Transverse banded flower flies
• Sunflower mining bee
• Hover flies

“This information will help us understand how we can better protect pollinators and other important wildlife in our community,” said Elizabeth Ricketts, Natural Areas Program Volunteer Coordinator. Learn more about The Preserve of Highland Park.

Join Us for our First Día de los Muertos Celebration!

Sat., Nov 5 • 1–4pm
West Ridge Center • 636 Ridge Road
(Event was originally located at The Preserve of Highland Park but will be held at West Ridge Center due to weather)

FREE Event! Honoring Our Past, Celebrating Our Future, and Bridging Our Communities!

• Come in costume or come as you are.
• Play games.
• Enjoy Mexican music and dancing.

And help start a Highland Park – Highwood tradition!

Lots of delicious food from a variety of vendors will be available to purchase. We will have a community ofrenda/altar; if you wish to have a picture on our altar, please bring a photo with you or contact Jessica Reyes at jreyes@pdhp.org. We look forward to celebrating with all of you!

The roots of Día de los Muertos, the Day of the Dead, go back more than 3,000 years in Europe, Spain, and to the Aztecs who lived in rural, indigenous areas of what is now central Mexico. In Europe, celebrations of the harvest took place in the fall, and the rituals were adopted as part of two Roman Catholic holidays—All Saints Day and All Souls Day—celebrated on the first two days of November. The cycle of life and death are entwined with the annual cycle of crops that grow from the ground where the remnants of the last harvest have been turned under and nurture the soil.
 
On Día de los Muertos, the border separating the real world from the spirit world dissolves, and the souls of the dead awaken, returning to eat and drink, dance, and play music with their family and friends. The living honor the deceased as guests in the celebrations. They prepare their favorite foods and leave them as offerings on the ofrendas (alters) built in their homes, as well as at gravesites. Ofrendas are decorated with candles to light the path back to the living. Brightly colored marigolds—called cempasuchil—are spread on the alter to guide the souls with their enticing fragrance. You should wish someone a happy day by saying, “Feliz día de los Muertos.”

1. El Día de los Muertos is not, as is commonly thought, a Mexican version of Halloween although the holidays do share traditions, including wearing costumes and marching in parades.

2. Calaveras, or skulls, are a unique symbol of Día de los Muertos. Elaborately decorated ceramic and papier-mâché skulls are worn throughout the festivities. Sugar skulls that are decorated with colored icing, (and often feathers and foil) are placed on offrendas. Simple sugar skulls, with just icing, are eaten and enjoyed by children of all ages. The famous La Calavera Cantina (the Elegant Skull) was created as a political statement by Mexican printmaker Jose Guadalupe Posada in 1910. Her fancy dress and hat, along with her white makeup, have been an integral part of the holiday ever since.

3. The ofrenda has always been an important part of the celebration, and today the alter is perhaps the most recognized symbol of Día de los Muertos. It is a way for families to honor their loved ones and provide them what they need on their journey from the spirit world. An ofrenda must include the four elements: Earth, Wind, Fire and Water. Bread is used to represent Earth. Wind is represented by traditional paper banners, called Papel picado. Candles light the way and can be placed in the form of a cross, which indicates the cardinal directions. Water is often presented in a pitcher, so the spirits can quench their thirst. if you wish to have a picture on our altar, please bring a photo with you or contact Jessica Reyes at jreyes@pdhp.org.

4. Monarch butterflies play a unique role in celebrations of Día de los Muertos because they hold the spirits of the departed. This lovely thought is tied to the arrival of the first monarchs in Mexico each fall, at the start of the holiday on Nov. 1.

5. The Día de los Muertos celebration spans two days: All Saints Day, Nov. 1, is the day to remember children who have passed. All Soul’s Day, Nov. 2, is the day when we honor adults.

6. Dessert! It’s what so many people look forward to during the celebrations. Pastries and sweets are central to the holiday, and one of the most loved is Pan de Muertos, a sweet, delicious bread, coated in sugar, and decorated to look like a pile of bones.

7. Día de los Muertos is not a somber occasion… it’s a joyous holiday and a celebration of life! It’s bright and colorful, with parties, music, dancing, and decorations everywhere you look. Classic Mexican traditions include calaveritas (short, humorous poems) that are a clever way to talk about, and poke fun at, difficult topics—like the Grim Reaper!

In support of the Highland Park community that has been through so much this past summer, the Wadsworth Golf Charities Foundation is underwriting a full day of golf for Highland Park residents at the Sunset Valley Golf Club on Wednesday, October 12.

Includes an 18-hole round and a golf cart (carts are limited and available on a first-come basis).

Book your tee time now.
Click the Wadsworth Golf Outing button.
(Please show your ID at check-in)

Crews are removing the flagstone path and retaining walls and began stabilization work at the toe of the slope. The boardwalk sections are being fabricated offsite. Additional equipment and materials will be delivered over the next several days. Once received, on-site work will resume.

Learn more about the project.

Work continues to remove the existing barge breakwater in preparation for the installation of the new breakwater and boat ramp.

About the Project

At the April 27 meeting, the Park Board approved construction of Phase 1 of the Park Avenue Breakwater Project in the amount of $2,221,890.  The base scope of this project includes removal of the existing barge breakwater and boat ramp, stockpiling and salvaging existing breakwater fill and armor stone, construction of a new steel sheet pile breakwater with a concrete crown wall and construction of a new concrete boat launch.   Funding for the project includes $2,000,000 from the Park District’s capital fund and $400,000 from the Parks Foundation of Highland Park, made possible from community donations. Construction began as scheduled on Sept 6, 2022. Learn more.

Demolition of the rink floor and concrete trench have been completed. Installation of under-floor drainage will begin soon.

About the Project

Centennial Ice Arena is temporarily closed, and ice programs will not be offered in Fall 2022 due to an unexpected and necessary replacement of the rink floor. 

An unknown issue was uncovered on the rink floor during our regular annual maintenance in June. Since then, the Park District has acted swiftly to conduct an exhaustive investigation of the facility and ice flooring system with an engineering firm. The findings confirmed that the building is structurally sound. However, the rink floor has been compromised and will require complete replacement.   Learn more.

April 4, 2023 Consolidated Election Petition Packets

The Park District of Highland Park has petition packets for one open Park Board Commissioner seat (6-year term) for the April 4, 2023, Consolidated Election. Those interested in running for a Park District of Highland Park Commissioner seat must be a registered voter and have been a resident of Highland Park for at least one year prior to the election. Please review the Election Calendar here. 

To download the petition packet, please click here.

If you wish to have the petition packet mailed to your home or schedule an appointment for pick-up, please contact Roxanne Hejnowski, Executive Coordinator, at 847.579.3190 or rhejnowski@pdhp.org.  

Circulation Period / September 20, 2022 – December 19, 2022

The circulation period for the Consolidated Election on April 4, 2023, will be open until December 19, 2022.

Filing Period for Petition Packets / December 12 – December 19, 2022

The filing period for petition packets is December 12 – December 19, 2022. Petition packets must be hand-delivered to the Executive Coordinator at the West Ridge Center Administrative Office, 636 Ridge Road, Highland Park, IL 60035, Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. No petitioner packets will be accepted before or after the stated dates and times. The Park District of Highland Park staff cannot provide any election or legal advice for any petitioners. Petitioners are encouraged to contact the Lake County Clerk’s Office.

Election Cycle

Consolidated Election

• First Tuesday in April
• Election of Township, Municipal, Park District, Library District, School District, and Fire District officials

Voter Registration Locations for the Consolidated Election
City Hall, 1707 St. Johns Ave.
847.926.1000
Weekdays from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Moraine Township Office, 800 Central Avenue
847.432.3240
Weekdays from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

West Deerfield Township, 601 Deerfield Road
847.945.0614
Weekdays from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

Voter Eligibility 
You may register to vote if: 

• You are a United States citizen
• You are at least 18 years old on election day
• You have resided in your voting precinct for at least 30 days
• You cannot be convicted and in jail
• You cannot claim the right to vote anywhere else

Note: You must register again if your name or permanent address has changed. Voter registration requires two forms of identification, including one with a current address (new residents may use a utility bill, checkbook, etc.). 

The Fitness Club at the Rec Center offers amazing group fitness classes if you prefer to workout with a group, one-on-one personal training for individual coaching, and the best of cardiovascular and strength equipment to help you feel better and be better! After a busy summer, fall is the time to focus on you. We are here to help you get stronger and improve your health so you can experience life to the fullest. Are YOU ready to get fit, have fun, and get happy? Take a look at these one-of-a-kind fitness offerings:

Start your day in the most breathtaking way – with a Yoga class at Rosewood Beach! Classes are held year-round on the boardwalk and in the Interpretive Center, where the wooded bluffs and soothing sounds of Lake Michigan add their special je ne sais quoi to each session. Yoga has significant proven health benefits, including back pain relief; reduced stress; increased energy; and improving your overall strength, balance and flexibility. Sign up today!

Indoor cycling has never been this rewarding – or this much fun! The Rec Center has 21 Stages Premier SC3 Cycling bikes that engage each rider with a personalized, immersive, interactive experience via the Stages Studio Plus display. Our instructors are dedicated to your success and are pros at keeping you motivated and moving toward your individual fitness goal. Get started with Group Exercise Classes.

Here’s a pro fitness tip: We make it easy for you to try everything in the Rec Center with a two-week Trial Membership. Interested? Come into the Rec Center to get started today!

Getting into the swim of things – Every summer, Open Water Swim in Lake Michigan, at Rosewood Beach, is one of our most popular programs. Once you try it, you’ll know why! Read about it here. With the change of season and the closing of our outdoor pools, now is the perfect time to add indoor lap swimming to your fitness routine. The 6-lane, 25-yard pool provides Rec Center members with open swim/lap swim times every day, to make it easier for you to set a consistent schedule. Wondering about lap swimming as exercise? It’s easy on the joints and it has a meditative quality because you focus on your movement and breathing. Here are a few more of the benefits you can expect from swimming laps:

• Improves endurance and cardiovascular health
• Helps lower blood pressure
• Increases flexibility
• Helps reduce stress

Change it up and move your fitness routine outdoors! – Because the Rec Center is located at our newest park, The Preserve of Highland Park, you can take easily advantage of the walking & biking trails and the woodlands & gardens throughout this unique 100+ acre green space.

Fun Fit Events – Staying fit is important all year, and we have extra special happenings every season to help keep you motivated! The popular Twisted Turkey Triathlon in November is a non-competitive event where everyone is welcome, everyone wins— and every participant gets a T-shirt! It features 10 minutes of swimming, a 20-minute Run/Walk, and 40 minutes of Indoor Cycling, plus lots of great drawing prizes. Now’s the time to start training for this fun community event, where we all get Calories Out before putting Calories In during the holidays. Learn more and sign up today!

A word about Fitness Memberships: Affordable.

Our Annual Memberships and Short-Term Passes give you options to meet YOUR needs for creating a workout plan that fits your schedule, your budget, and your goals for getting and staying healthy. Try a variety of classes and equipment with a Day Access, Week Pass, or 10-Punch Pass before you commit to an Annual Membership. Read all about them here, then give us a call and take a tour of the Rec Center with our friendly, knowledgeable staff. See you soon!