As cold weather approaches, the Park District of Highland Park is partnering with the Highwood Public Library and Church of Redeemer to collect much-needed items for the Highwood and Highland Park communities.
If you have any questions, please reach out to the Church of the Redeemer at [email protected].
If you are in need of free winter clothing, items will be distributed at the Church of the Redeemer (107 Highwood Avenue, Highwood) on:
*As this is a donation based event, supplies may be limited.
Celebrating the Transformative Power of Youth Sports
All kids deserve a fun, safe place to play where they feel like they belong. Yet the average child drops out of youth sports by age 11, often because the sport doesn’t feel fun anymore — or because the options are too expensive for their family. As a result, these kids miss out on the lifelong benefits of sports.
Research shows that when children play sports, they increase their chances to grow healthy, feel good about themselves, build friendships, develop skills like teamwork, kindness, and respect, and are more likely to succeed in school and their future careers. When parents enroll their children in park and recreation-sponsored youth sports, we set them up for success.
At the Park District of Highland Park, we want ALL children — no matter their ability, age, gender identity, race, ethnicity, family income, or interests — to feel welcome in our programs. That’s why we offer affordable, FUN options for sports and play that help our community’s children thrive. The Park District believes everyone in Highwood and Highland Park should have access to Park District programs regardless of their family’s situation. The Park District, in partnership with the Parks Foundation of Highland Park, offers a variety of scholarship opportunities.
Imagine your child’s joyful laugh while making a basket, splashing in the pool, or twirling on the ice. When we enroll our children in park and recreation programs, we ALL win.
The Park District of Highland Park has been chosen as a Lake County Tree Planting Program grant recipient. This innovative, American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funded program supports the County’s commitment to environmental stewardship and community well-being while taking a significant step towards expanding tree canopy coverage, diversifying the native urban forest, and addressing stormwater runoff countywide. The 150 native trees we’ve received through this grant will be planted at Larry Fink Memorial Park.
The Lake County Tree Initiative aims to raise awareness about our urban areas’ challenges. This includes a mission to foster a regional cultural shift towards urban forest preservation through efforts to promote protecting habitats and strengthening climate resilience. By enhancing our natural environment and mitigating the adverse effects of climate change, the Tree Initiative is poised to lead the charge to support sustainable development.
“The Park District is grateful to be chosen for this valuable Lake County Tree Planting Program grant,” said Liz Ricketts, Park District of Highland Park Natural Areas Manager. “Some tree species to be planted at Larry Fink Park include Swamp White Oak, Bur Oak, River Birch, Kentucky Coffee Tree, Eastern Redbud, and Hackberry. The Park District is also grateful for the partnership opportunity with Superior Enterprises, Inc., which is responsible for the tree installation. The planting will take place during the first week of October. This program aligns with the District’s ongoing efforts in tree health, specifically in expanding the varieties of species found at Fink Park. The benefits of the new trees include wildlife habitat, stormwater management, heat reduction, beauty, and so much more.”
The Tree Planting Program encompasses Lake County’s four watersheds. Lake County staff will work with the Park District throughout the entire process including site preparation and tree plantings to ensure consistent progress.
We are proud to partner with Lake County in this program that uses community engagement to cultivate a sense of environmental stewardship and responsibility across our community. The program seeks long-term sustainability and improves environmental and community health through education and outreach.
“The County’s Tree Planting Program will positively update our county by enhancing the tree canopy coverage and diversity countywide,” said Robin Grooms, Sustainability Program Manager at Lake County. “By working together towards a common goal through our partnership, Lake County and the Park District of Highland Park are creating a more sustainable and vibrant future.”
From September 15 to October 15, we honor and celebrate the rich cultural tapestry, traditions, and contributions of Hispanic communities. This is a time to recognize the resilience, creativity, and diversity that have shaped our nation’s history and continue to enrich our lives today.
In partnership with the Highland Park Public Library, join us in the celebrations by exploring Hispanic art, music, cuisine, literature, and history.
Heller Nature Center
In this session, inspired by the Mexican art of making paper from traditional fibers, we will use recycled paper, natural materials, and paint to make our own amate (ah-MAH-tay) paintings come to life!
Ages 6+
Price: $13
Highland Park Public Library
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month by making this tasty birria dish at home. Includes a sample of some spices and the recipe. While supplies last. Visit the Adult Services Desk. (Bilingual Program)
Heller Nature Center
Join us around the Campfire and listen to tales of Hispanic Folklore. Learn some Spanish words and create a folktale of your own, all while enjoying some churros.
All ages
Price: $13
Highland Park Public Library
Join us for a bilingual family storytime! Enjoy stories and songs in Spanish, English, or both! Join us in the Activity Room.
Highland Park Public Library
Practice your art skills by decorating a Mexican Sugar Skull! All materials will be provided while supplies last.
For all ages; children under the age of 7 must be accompanied by an adult caregiver. Join us at the lower-level Meeting Room. (Bilingual Program).
Highland Park Public Library
The panelists will share their journey in starting a business in Highland Park, as well as their expertise, challenges, and support from the community. Join us in the auditorium. (Bilingual Program).
Highland Park Public Library
Enjoy a hot soup while we discuss the book “Caldo de Pollo Para el Alma.” Bring a recipe to share as we build a communal recipe book which you will take at the end of the session.
Join us at the lower-level Meeting Room.
Register with Diana at 847.432.0216 ext. 147 (Program in Spanish)
Heller Nature Center
Let’s play Lotería! This traditional Mexican game of brightly colored cards is easy to play if you’re familiar with Bingo. Kids and adults alike will have fun matching pictures, learning (or remembering) the Spanish names, and shouting ¡Lotería! when they win!
All ages
Price: $13
Recreation Center of Highland Park
Honoring Our Past, Celebrating Our Future and Bridging Our Communities! Join us for a day of traditional dance and music, art projects and sugar skull face painting.
Registration is not required for this free event.
All ages
As soon as you meet Zach Pellowski, you know this is a guy you want to hang out with. He’s an athlete, a player, and a coach who cares about helping every one of his students become the best player they can be. “Everyone is different,” he said, “with different reasons for playing pickleball, different aspirations as a player, and different capabilities. I’m six-three, with a six-foot 8-inch wingspan, so my ability to cover the court is completely different from many of our students at Deer Creek, but they’re all here to have a great time.” Go ahead. Measure your wingspan. We did.
Zach is currently the Head Pickleball Pro at our Deer Creek Racquet Club and at the Pickleball Complex at Danny Cunniff Park. He will bring his more than 20 years of playing and coaching racquet sports to the Park District’s brand new Club Pickle and Padel, a state-of-the-art domed facility being built in Highland Park. “What I love about the design of the Club is that the district has focused on the little details that make a big difference to players: the court layout, the colors, the lighting—they all impact the way the facility will feel. It shows a great deal of respect for the game and the players, and it’s going to be an exceptional facility for all skill levels. This will be a great opportunity for everyone on the North Shore to get involved with fun, healthy games—both pickleball and padel—that they can learn quickly and play for life!”
When Zach talks about the details of his approach to coaching, from the basics for beginners all the way to tournament-level game strategy, you hear some of his important concepts for pickleball at the Park District, and specifically how they will apply at the new Club Pickle & Padel. Inclusively is one. He understands that this is a sport that can bring the people together, and he cares about that. Respect is another. Respect for the game and respect for every player on the court. Community comes up a lot. “This new Club is going to be different from the privately built spaces that are popping up. The Park District is creating a place where the whole community can come together, whether they are learning, playing, or watching, and I’m really excited about that.” And if there’s one thing he stresses about coaching, it’s instilling confidence in his students. “Confidence equals fun,” he said. We love that. It fits perfectly into what we do here at your Park District every day.
Destined for a life on the courts.
Zach is 29, with a surprisingly deep background in racquet sport. “I was born into racquetball,” he said. That’s because his grandmother was the Junior Racquetball Team USA coach and the Director of a Racquetball Club in Colorado—where he and his family moved to from Milwaukee when he was 9—his mom had played semi-pro racquetball and his uncle had been a member of the Junior National Racquetball Team. After Zach won two Junior National Titles and three USAR Junior Sportsman of the Year Awards, he enlisted in the United States Air Force as an Air Traffic Controller. “Rapid City, South Dakota wasn’t my first choice, but that’s where the Air Force needed me!” Following his service time, he played for the #1 Men’s Collegiate Racquetball Program at CSU-Pueblo. Moving east in 2019, first to Wheaton and then Schaumburg, to pursue a racquetball career was working out just fine, until everything shut down in March of 2020. “By the time things started to open up, most of the racquetball courts in Park Districts and recreation facilities had been switched to yoga and fitness rooms.” But what had sprung up was pickleball, and in early 2023 Zach transitioned full-time to the fastest-growing sport in the country. Lucky for us!
Zach came to Deer Creek this year after having directed the pickleball programming as Head Pro at Centre Court Athletic Club in Hanover Park from late 2022 until this spring. He’s bringing his unique background and racquet skills to his new home, where he has found what so many of us know. “People here care about the community. They love the competitive part of being on the court, but they also really love the social aspect of being with friends and family, making new friends, and encouraging new players to learn pickleball.”
“Taking care of business means taking care of people,” said Zach. You can hear how sincere he is about that. We can’t wait for more of you to meet Zach, on and off the court. His energy is palpable, his attitude is purely positive, and we’re thrilled that he is not only our Head Pickleball Pro, but a member of our Highland Park community.
Waitlist
Enjoy a night walking through the woods as you use GPS technology to navigate your way through our forest. Your GPS will help you find Jack-o-Lanterns that we will have placed along our Trails. Follow the clues and your GPS to complete our Geocache Course!
Pre-registration required. All participants, children and adults, must register for the program. Children under 2 are FREE. Children must be accompanied by a paid registered adult. Program is outdoors so please dress for the weather.
All ages
Price: $13
Join us for a spooktacular evening skating in costume with family and friends! Event is free, food will be available for purchase from Cluckers Food Truck.
Dive into a world of whimsy and wonder at the Pumpkin Pool Splash! Experience an exhilarating splashdown as colossal pumpkins take the plunge into a sparkling pool, creating a mesmerizing spectacle of color and excitement. Get ready to make a splash of your own amidst the vibrant autumn atmosphere, where fun knows no bounds and laughter echoes through the air. Join us for a day of pumpkin-themed delight that will leave you thrilled and soaked in unforgettable memories!
Ages 3-12
Price: $14/17 (resident/non-resident)
Pumpkin Smash is a community-driven event dedicated to sustainability and reducing waste during Halloween.
Join us as we come together to compost your carved and uncarved pumpkins, turning them into valuable nutrient-rich soil. This fun and eco-friendly initiative not only helps divert tons of organic waste from landfills but also educates participants on the importance of composting for environmental conservation.
Bring your pumpkins and enjoy a day of smashing, composting, and learning about sustainable practices that benefit our planet. Together, let’s make a positive impact this Halloween season!
All ages. The event takes place in the parking lot at Hidden Creek AquaPark.
Price: $5 per person
The Park District of Highland Park has announced the development of the largest Pickleball and Padel indoor facility on the Northshore: Club Pickle and Padel. The brand-new domed facility at 2205 Skokie Valley Road in Highland Park will feature 10 pickleball courts and 4 padel courts.
“In keeping with the character of the Park District, Club Pickle and Padel will be an extraordinary destination where residents and players of all ages and abilities feel welcome,” said Executive Director Brian Romes. “This new facility has been designed to create an inclusive hub, with state-of-the-art amenities, where pickleball and padel enthusiasts, as well as the curious newcomers, can gather, meet, compete, and learn to play the world’s fastest growing sports.”
The Park District has set an ambitious goal of opening this new community-oriented facility just in time to escape the cold winter and get into the heated 50,000 sq. ft. facility with enough courts to accommodate the high demand for year-round pickleball and entice newcomers to try Padel on the North Shore’s first constructed courts. Players will be able to escape the elements of inclement weather in the comfort of this spacious facility that is roughly 60 ft. tall and includes a skylight across the top.
A significant portion of this $4.2 million dollar project is being funded by a generous donation from Highland Park native, Ron Saslow, with additional funds coming from the Parks Foundation of Highland Park, individual and business donors, sponsors, and the Park District.
“Pickleball is a sport that brings people together,” said Ron Saslow. “It’s easy to learn, it’s a very social game, and I’m thrilled to be able to help bring a state-of-the-art facility to the community I love.”
What is padel you may ask? It is one of the fastest-growing racquet sports in the world. Originating in Mexico, padel is a cross between tennis and squash. Club Pickle and Padel will be one of the only indoor facilities in Illinois offering padel courts.
Pickleball players can sign up right now for the 4th Annual North Shore “Smash for Charity” Tournament being held September 21 from 8am–2pm. The tournament includes Men’s, Women’s, and Mixed Divisions, and proceeds benefit the Parks Foundation, which supports scholarships for Highland Park and Highwood families in need and projects. As an extra incentive, players will have a chance to win a one-year membership to the new Club Pickle & Padel!
Before heading out to your favorite Park District of Highland Park facility on Labor Day weekend, check out our hours!
| Facility | Saturday, August 31 | Sunday, September 1 | Monday, September 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Centennial Ice Arena | Closed | Closed | Closed |
| Deer Creek Racquet Club | Closed | Closed | Closed |
| Heller Nature Center | Building Open 9am-3pm, Trails Open 7:30am to Dusk | Building Closed, Trails Open 7:30am to Dusk | Building Closed, Trails Open 7:30am to Dusk |
| Hidden Creek AquaPark (closed for the season starting Tues., Sept 3) | Lap Swim - 5:30-10am; Open Swim - 10am-5pm | Lap Swim - 5:30-10am; Open Swim - 10am-5pm | Lap Swim - 5:30-10am; Open Swim - 10am-5pm |
| Highland Park Golf Learning Center | 8am-7pm | 8am-7pm | 8am-7pm |
| Recreation Center of Highland Park (Fitness) | 7am-6pm | 7am-6pm | 7am-Noon |
| Recreation Center of Highland Park (Indoor Pool) | Closed | Closed | Closed |
| River's Edge Mini Golf | 8am-7pm | 8am-7pm | 8am-7pm |
| Rosewood Beach (swimming is closed for the season starting Tues., Sept 3) | 10am-6pm | 10am-6pm | 10am-6pm |
| Sunset Valley Golf Club | 6am-6pm | 6am-6pm | 6am-6pm |
| West Ridge Center | 8am-5pm | 8am-5pm | Closed |
Construction at Park Avenue North Beach is expected to begin the week of September 9. During construction, the North parking lot will be closed to the public. The North lot will be open for registered boat storage patrons.
Construction at Port Clinton is expected to begin the week of September 9. During construction, the park will be closed.
Construction at Old Elm Park is expected to begin the week of September 9. During construction, the playground area will be closed. The basketball and tennis courts will remain open during construction, the tennis courts can be accessed through the south gate.
Restoration work on the ballfields may begin the week of September 2, and the ballfield area will be closed during that time.
Construction at Woodridge Park is expected to begin the week of September 9. During construction, the basketball, tennis, and pickleball courts will be closed.
Construction at Sunset Woods Park is expected to begin September 16. During construction, portions of the South side of the park will be closed. The skate park, basketball court, and that section of walking path will be closed as well as the area between the main entrance and the tennis courts. The tennis courts and main entrance will remain open during construction.
Rafael Labrador, Highland Park resident and president of the Parks Foundation of Highland Park, was appointed to the Park District’s Board of Commissioners at the August 21 Workshop Meeting. Labrador will serve until May 2025 in the seat of long-time Commissioner Brian Kaplan, who resigned earlier this year, and will be eligible to run for a 2-year or 6-year term in the April 2025 Consolidated Election.
Labrador, whose professional background includes a long career in biotech marketing, has been with AbbVie in the cancer therapeutics space since 2015. He and his family moved to Highland Park from the East Coast eight years ago. “I fell in love with the parks and recreation opportunities here in Highland Park,” he said, “and I appreciate the diversity of backgrounds, experiences, and culture in our North Shore communities.”
Labrador has served as president of the Parks Foundation since 2021.
During his tenure as president, the Foundation has raised over $100,000 to fund recreational scholarships for Highwood and Highland Park families in need. Through their fundraising efforts, the Foundation has raised close to $1 million in donations to bridge funding gaps in a number of important Park District projects. “I am proud to have been a part of the Foundation which contributed financial resources to the long-awaited Park Avenue Breakwater and Boat Ramp renovations, building Jeff Fox Field, and installing the beautiful Sunset Wood Park rocket ship playground seating plaza,” said Labrador, “and we’re all excited about the new indoor state of the art pickleball and padel facility which is scheduled to open in early 2025.”
In addition to the connections forged between the Parks Foundation and the district, as a resident member of the Park District’s Efficiency Committee, in 2023, Rafael studied the district’s governing statutes, ordinances, rules, procedures, powers, jurisdiction, shared services, intergovernmental agreements, and interrelationships with other governmental units and the State of Illinois. Included in the Efficiency Committee’s responsibilities were collecting data, research, and analysis as necessary to prepare a report to the Lake County Board in compliance with Illinois Decennial Committees on Local Efficiency Act.
“Rafael has been an important and engaged member of the community and the Park District for many years,” said Cal Bernstein, President of the Park Board of Commissioners. “We are thrilled that he has accepted the additional responsibilities that come with being a Park Commissioner, and we look forward to benefiting from his knowledge and expertise.”
“It’s truly an honor to have been asked to serve as a Commissioner,” said Labrador. “The staff at this Park District works hard to bring exceptional programs, camps, and facilities to people every day, and I intend to work just as hard to support them and provide even more fun, healthy recreational activities to the community I love.”
