The City of Highland Park is installing a new parking lot, improved lighting, and an additional vehicle entrance at the Recreation Center. This important project will be done in two phases beginning next Monday, August 26. The estimated completion is the beginning of November. During construction, the Recreation Center will remain open. However, there will be changes to exits and entrances to the lot and alterations to the parking configuration.
The Recreation Center locker rooms are getting an upgrade, including new carpet and paint, a full restroom remodel (not including shower areas), and upgraded plumbing in the showers and restrooms. The project is in coordination with the City’s work on the Senior Center and is expected to begin next month. More details to follow.
We appreciate your patience and will keep you updated as the project progresses.
The Park District of Highland Park has petition packets for three open Park Board Commissioner seats (two 6-year terms and one 2-year term) for the April 1, 2025 Consolidated Election. Those interested in running for a Park District of Highland Park Commissioner seat must be registered voters and residents of Highland Park for at least one year prior to the election. Please review the Election Calendar here.
To request a packet, please complete the form below:
The circulation period for the Consolidated Election on April 1, 2025 will be open until November 18, 2024.
The filing period for petition packets is November 12 – November 18, 2024. 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.
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
You may register to vote if:
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.).
Starting Monday, August 19, the Recreation Center and Senior Center parking lot will undergo construction. While the Recreation Center will remain open, sections of the parking lot will be closed, limiting available parking spaces.
Renovations include:
The parking lot is expected to be completed on November 1, 2024, with additional site landscaping and a new monument sign anticipated in 2025.
We will continue to provide updates directly to our Rec Center members and on this website as parking configurations change throughout the project.
The Park District of Highland Park is partnering with the Gratitude Generation to collect new toys for children in need to stay busy during days and weeks off from school.
As of August 20, 2024, the Park District of Highland Park will have petition packets for three open Park Board Commissioner seats (two 6-year terms and one 2-year term) for the April 1, 2025, 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.
For additional information, please contact Roxanne Hejnowski at [email protected].
The circulation period for the Consolidated Election on April 1, 2025, will be open until November 18, 2024.
The filing period for petition packets is November 12 – November 18, 2024. 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.
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
You may register to vote if:
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.).
On any given day, if you walk down to one of our four public beaches, you’ll see people enjoying the beauty and recreational opportunities offered by our beautiful lakefront. At Moraine, dogs are playing with frisbees in the waves. At Park Avenue Boating Facility, sailors are heading out for a sail after work. Families are having fun in the cool water and building sandcastles at Rosewood. Meanwhile, at Millard, people are taking leisurely strolls and soaking in the lake breezes. Each beach has its own unique charm and provides unforgettable experiences for visitors.
Debbie Yakimisky, our dedicated Lakefront Aquatics Supervisor, aptly describes our shores with three words: beautiful, welcoming, and clean. Debbie oversees the beaches of the Park District of Highland Park and the staff who work hard to keep our beaches open and safe.
This is Debbie’s first year with the Park District of Highland Park, and it’s clear right away that she is passionate about her job. Her typical day starts with ensuring that all beaches are safe to open and that our lakefront staff are fully prepared for the day ahead.
“I wanted to work in aquatics because I’ve always loved the water and being outdoors,” explains Debbie. “I also enjoy being around people and witnessing the joy that the lakefront can bring.”
Debbie finds the most rewarding part of her job in seeing the happiness her team brings to our visitors. By doing little things to enhance their experience, Debbie and her team help make our beaches a place where cherished memories are made.
“That’s what our beaches are all about. We want our residents to feel that our beaches will allow them to make beautiful memories and have great experiences.”
Debbie is happiest when working with the Park District’s lifeguards. She explains that staff members quickly bond and support each other like a family once the season starts. “We quickly become a family unit, having each other’s backs and learning different skill sets. The camaraderie within the aquatics department is very strong.”
“Through our ongoing in-service training and day-to-day work, I’ve gotten to know each guard. It’s heartwarming to know that you’re changing some of these kids’ lives and giving them the tools they need to succeed.”
Debbie also participated in Guard Wars recently, where lifeguards competed in fun aquatic games, chose themes, and dressed up. “This activity was a blast because it was a time for our lifeguards to focus on building relationships and having fun with their peers. It brought the lifeguards together, and we got to know them better in a different light.”
“My experience with the lifeguards made me think more about our Park District values and how we incorporate them into our aquatics program, making us more Welcoming, Caring, and Extraordinary. We take those values to heart every day we step out onto the beach.”
So, take the next opportunity you have to visit one of our beaches, take in the fresh air from Lake Michigan, and savor the moment!
By: Allie Stewart, Marketing Intern
As part of our series of articles for this year’s National Recreation & Park Association theme “Where You Belong”, we had an inspiring conversation with Lisa Azoory-Keller and her husband Jon. Originally from Canada, they moved to Highland Park in 2014, and are building their own tennis dynasty with their three children, all of whom are competitive tennis players.
The Keller kids started playing tennis during the pandemic, at park district courts near their house. When the Deer Creek Racquet Club reopened, Kira, now 13, Maya who is 12, and 8-year-old Nate started taking lessons from two of the resident pros: Richard Watson is the Assistant Head Tennis Professional and Hristo Pandulev is a Full-Time Tennis Professional.
“Deer Creek is a second home to us now, and the pros are like family, “said Lisa. You can hear it in her voice when she talks about the staff: “Everyone there from the front desk to the pros prioritizes making sure the players have a great experience every time they’re on the court.” Being welcoming and caring is part of what makes Deer Creek extraordinary, and it’s one of the many places at the park district where you truly feel you belong.
Kira and Maya are at the same class level. “Kira works with Hristo, who has taken her tennis to the next level, and he is the perfect coach for her game,” said Lisa. Maya is coached by Richard, “another out-of-this world pro— she takes every bit of instruction like a sponge, and puts it into her game.” Nate is already in the Junior Excellence Program. “He loves that because he gets to play at a more competitive level with the older kids.”
Because Kira and Maya play against each other often (like two well-known tennis sisters), they sometimes get angry “which is good, because in competitive tennis you have to learn to be tough.” Of course, in matches there is only one winner, and that can be tough, too. Maya was recently the G12 Singles Finalist in the 2024 USTA Chicago District Championships held at the Oak Brook Tennis Center. “The very first people I texted after that match were the pros at Deer Creek,” Lisa said.
Hearing stories like that makes all of us at the park district feel really good about how what we do every day helps people make lifelong connections.
Lisa continued, “These pros are the best of the best. Other clubs prioritize profit and competition whereas Deer Creek prioritizes instilling a love for tennis, which results in the children having a healthy and positive attitude towards sports. The pros are always engaged, and truly care about the kids.” Our kids are always smiling when they’re at Deer Creek, and we know these years are going to be some of their best memories. They can’t wait to start summer camp!”
Any final thoughts? “We love Deer Creek. We’ll never leave.”
Wow. We love hearing that, too. (Last one out, please turn off the lights.)
You can read more about Deer Creek Racquet Club, tennis, pickleball, and camps on our website. Ready to get started? Great. The ball’s in your court.
See you around the parks!
As part of our series of articles for this year’s National Recreation & Park Association theme “Where You Belong”, we had an inspiring conversation with Lesley Haycock about her busy summer of family fun at the Park District.
Lesley Haycock is busy this summer. When we caught up with her it was the first day of Park District Camps for two of her three daughters: Skyler who is 5½ and Riley, who is 3½. Zoey, the oldest at 8½, is going to Discovery Day Camp this year. That’s just the beginning of the busy summer season for the whole family. “We like to take advantage of so many great things the Park District offers,” said Lesley.
On any given day, that includes spending time at Rosewood Beach, “We always get Beach Passes.” Her number one tip: “Arrive early if you want a parking spot!” Yes, we hear that a lot. “We also get our annual pass for the pool, because we’re there almost every weekend.” We hear that a lot too, and it’s why belonging to Hidden Creek AquaPark is such a great way to connect with friends and meet new families.
ParkSchool was the focus of our conversation, because Skyler just graduated from Mighty Oaks, and Riley will be a Sapling this fall. “Then she’ll move up and be a Mighty Oak the next year.” Why ParkSchool? “We had heard such great things about it from the community—not a bad word from anyone. They raved about the teachers, and one of the things I really liked was the small class size, so we knew our kids would get the attention they needed to be ready for Kindergarten.” Lesley added, “I know you’ve heard it before, but Miss Ginny is amazing! Miss Samia is following in her footsteps, and she’s just as amazing, so I feel excited, and confident, and comforted that kids will have her moving forward.”
In case you have not heard, our Miss Ginny retired in June. We have a story about her on our website.
Everything grows at ParkSchool. “We’ve done lots of the afterschool Enrichment programs at West Ridge,” Lesley said. “The KidoKinetics class is wonderful because it exposes them to so many different sports. I think the first day they played Lacrosse”—she laughed—”which is something I never would have taught my 3½ year old. It was awesome!” That’s one of the most important things about growing up in Park District programs. Beginners get the attention they need in order to love what they’re learning. “We’ve done Clay Play, and the girls love the weekly mini-camps that happen between the end of school and the start of summer camps. “We’re going to do those again in August.” Zoey did the Sewing and Fashion design camp, “which was fabulous.” “She really wanted to learn to run a sewing machine, and these are the only classes for kids in the area. There was a fashion show at the end, and she loved it!” We see Project Runway in your future, Zoey. “I was able to drop Skyler off at the same location for her cooking class. The times line up and that makes it so convenient.” We try hard to make that happen for parents year-round, and we’re happy that it’s working.
Zoey also wants to learn to play chess (watch out world), and this August will be in our Chess Camp. “I don’t know where that came from,” laughed Lesley, “and it’s so great that the Park District teaches my kids things that I can’t!” “She also took Fencing in the spring, which is another thing that’s hard to find for young kids.” Fashion, Fencing, and Chess. You won’t find that combination for an 8½ year old anywhere but here. Zoey is truly the epitome of what we call a park district kid.
Lesley offered the perfect description of what we’re all about: “It really is a place to try out so many different things, when you’re little, and see what you’re passionate about.” We loved hearing that.
Connections? “Skyler made some really close friends in her ParkSchool class. They would have play dates every few weeks, and one of them is going to Kindergarten with her in the fall, so I’m thrilled that she’ll have a buddy there.” “It’s really important for us to meet and know people in the community. In fact, we switched Zoey from gymnastics in Lake Forest to the Highland Park Gymnastics Pre-Team for the sole reason of meeting kids from the area. It’s that important.” “And I get together with the other moms. We’ve been out to dinner and had barbeques—so the connections through our kids are strong.”
We love the stories Lesley told us. They are about belonging, connecting, and caring about the community. We’re proud to be a part of those stories, and we work hard every day to stay connected to all of you.
If you have a story or two that you’d like to share, let us know. Until then, you can find all of our summer programs, activities, and events 24/7 at PDHP.org.
See you around the parks!
The Park District invites you to join the conversation to discuss the accessibility of Park District facilities and parks for people with disabilities. Your view is important, and this is an opportunity to express your opinion.
If you couldn’t make it to the in-person meetings, please take the survey before it closes on August 14, 2024. Your feedback is anonymous and will be used to improve efforts by the Park District.
The Park District of Highland Park conducted two meetings to hear feedback about the accessibility of parks and facilities.
The Park District of Highland Park retained the WT Group (WTG) Accessibility Practice in 2024 to develop an updated transition plan for parks and facilities, as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). A transition plan identifies access barriers and phases the retrofit work over time. John McGovern leads the Accessibility Practice at WTG, and will coordinate the first portion of the meeting. In the meeting, WTG will:
Northern Suburban Special Recreation Association (NSSRA) will join the discussion. NSSRA is an organization dedicated to enriching the lives of people with disabilities in their partner communities, including the Park District of Highland Park, through quality recreation services. NSSRA has created an environment of belonging through play since 1970, and it holds the distinction as the first Special Recreation Association in the country.
If you have any questions, contact John McGovern with the WT Group at 224.293.6451 or [email protected], or Amalia Schwartz, Planning Manager, at 847.579.4090 or [email protected].
Thank you in advance for helping the Park District of Highland Park with our ADA Transition Plan.
As part of our series of articles for this year’s National Recreation & Park Association theme “Where You Belong”, we had a delightful conversation with Rachel Howard about her family’s experience with park district programs.
Rachel Howard is one of our most favorite people to talk with about the Park District, and especially about how her daughter Mia loves ParkSchool. The other day we got the latest on all things Mia, and learned a little about her brother Sam as well.
Last year when we talked with Rachel, Mia had just finished the school year as a Sapling. Now, Mia is 5 and a proud graduate of the Mighty Oaks preschool program. How is she doing? “She’s great! She went 5 days a week in the mornings,” said Rachel. “The program is fantastic. Miss Ginny and Miss Samia are incredible with the kids. It’s such a well-structured program that really gets the kids ready for Kindergarten. I’ve been so impressed with Mia’s growth, her independence, and how proud she was of the work she came home with. That’s been the most exciting thing—to see the pride she takes in the activities and all of the projects.” Being proud of what you’ve done. We couldn’t ask for a better outcome from Mia’s ParkSchool experience. Rachel continued, “Mia’s teachers have prepared her so well for the transition to Kindergarten. They really set the kids up for success as they enter elementary school.”
Our Miss Ginny retired in June after an incredible 39 years of making little lives better. You can read more about her in this story. Ask any Mighty Oaks parent, and they’ll tell you that Miss Samia continues to be amazing!
We talked about Mia making new friends and new connections at Mighty Oaks. “Yes! There were old friends who she had been with the year before, and there were lots of new friends this year as well.” ParkSchool kids tend to stay in the program. The smaller class sizes, the structure, and the connections to other families make it a place where everyone truly feels they belong. “Mia wants all of the kids in her class and her teachers to be with her when she goes to Kindergarten, because there is this warmth and sense of belonging to a community.” Well, we hope her friends go with her, but her teachers… not so much!
Did Mia do other Park District programs? “Yes!” (You can hear the smile.) “She did a Sports class, a Cooking class, and a Ceramics class after school at West Ridge. It’s so nice because she can stay at school and there’s a ‘bridge’ program where she played for a bit after Mighty Oaks. Then the teachers transition the kids to their after school classes, so parents don’t have to go back and forth.” How did Mia like those classes? “The Sports class (KidoKinetics) was great fun because they did some unique sports like Lacrosse and Pickleball. She also did Gymnastics on the weekends (at Centennial), which she loved.” We think “Keeping up with Mia” would make a great podcast!
“She’s formed a very strong bond with her friends and her teachers.” Connections, many of them lifelong, are what get built at your Park District. It truly is a place where you belong.
What’s next for the family? “My son Sam is 2½ and is in the Tot Stop camp this summer. He’s also done Gymnastics,” (at that age mostly tumbling, running, falling down), “and we love the Music class! We’re also registered for ParkSchool in the fall, so Sam will be a Sprout!”
That’s how the traditions continue and the connections grow at your Park District. We would love for you and your family to join us and be a part of everything we do. We invite you to share your stories with us. Right now, you can find all of our summer programs, activities, and events 24/7 on our website.
