Looking for exciting activities for your kids on no-school days? Our Fall Fun Days offer a variety of engaging programs to keep them entertained and active. Join us for a few days full of fun and adventure.
The STREAM Explorers School Day Off program offers a fun and educational day for children when school is out. Split between Heller Nature Center and West Ridge Center, this program features a variety of activities in Science, Technology, Recreation, Environment, Art, and more.
Children will start their day at West Ridge Center, where they will be bussed to Heller Nature Center to explore environmental science projects, interactive nature walks, and creative art activities. Later, they will be bussed back to West Ridge Center for hands-on technology projects, recreational games, and art experiences, where they will also be picked up.
The program provides a perfect mix of indoor and outdoor activities to keep children engaged and entertained throughout the day. It’s an ideal way for kids to spend a school day off, having fun and exploring new interests.
Locations: Children will start and end their day at West Ridge Center, 636 Ridge Rd, as well as spend part of the day at Heller Nature Center, 2821 Ridge Rd
The STREAM Explorers School Day Off program offers a fun and educational day for children when school is out. Split between Heller Nature Center and West Ridge Center, this program features a variety of activities in Science, Technology, Recreation, Environment, Art, and more.
Children will start their day at West Ridge Center, where they will be bussed to Heller Nature Center to explore environmental science projects, interactive nature walks, and creative art activities. Later, they will be bussed back to West Ridge Center for hands-on technology projects, recreational games, and art experiences, where they will also be picked up.
The program provides a perfect mix of indoor and outdoor activities to keep children engaged and entertained throughout the day. It’s an ideal way for kids to spend a school day off, having fun and exploring new interests.
Locations: Children will start and end their day at West Ridge Center, 636 Ridge Rd, as well as spend part of the day at Heller Nature Center, 2821 Ridge Rd
The STREAM Explorers School Day Off program offers a fun and educational day for children when school is out. Split between Heller Nature Center and West Ridge Center, this program features a variety of activities in Science, Technology, Recreation, Environment, Art, and more.
Children will start their day at West Ridge Center, where they will be bussed to Heller Nature Center to explore environmental science projects, interactive nature walks, and creative art activities. Later, they will be bussed back to West Ridge Center for hands-on technology projects, recreational games, and art experiences, where they will also be picked up.
The program provides a perfect mix of indoor and outdoor activities to keep children engaged and entertained throughout the day. It’s an ideal way for kids to spend a school day off, having fun and exploring new interests.
Locations: Children will start and end their day at West Ridge Center, 636 Ridge Rd, as well as spend part of the day at Heller Nature Center, 2821 Ridge Rd
The STREAM Explorers School Day Off program offers a fun and educational day for children when school is out. Split between Heller Nature Center and West Ridge Center, this program features a variety of activities in Science, Technology, Recreation, Environment, Art, and more.
Children will start their day at West Ridge Center, where they will be bussed to Heller Nature Center to explore environmental science projects, interactive nature walks, and creative art activities. Later, they will be bussed back to West Ridge Center for hands-on technology projects, recreational games, and art experiences, where they will also be picked up.
The program provides a perfect mix of indoor and outdoor activities to keep children engaged and entertained throughout the day. It’s an ideal way for kids to spend a school day off, having fun and exploring new interests.
Locations: Children will start and end their day at West Ridge Center, 636 Ridge Rd, as well as spend part of the day at Heller Nature Center, 2821 Ridge Rd
You write the story! Choose your own path in this adventure series as we explore role playing and rolling the dice to see which way our story will go. Use your imagination to write which direction our story will go and act it out.
This is a drop off program. Pre-registration required. Program is outdoors so please dress for the weather. Participants also attending Superheroes may bring a peanut-free sack lunch and stay at Rosewood between programs.
Location: Rosewood Beach, 883 Sheridan Rd
Soar through the air, use your mighty strength, and explore your own super powers! Superheroes are everywhere, see what wild animals also have super powers just like those in the comics. Then explore how you too have your own super human powers.
This is a drop off program. Pre-registration required. Program is outdoors so please dress for the weather. Participants also attending Once Upon A… may bring a peanut-free sack lunch and stay at Rosewood between programs.
Location: Rosewood Beach, 883 Sheridan Rd
To celebrate Parks and Recreation Month, we are featuring a series of personal stories that exemplify the value Parks and Recreation brings to our lives.
Jami Buss is well-known to many of you as a member of our Registration Team at the Recreation Center. Great smile, always welcoming, and a wealth of knowledge about all things Park District. Lots of you also know her husband, Michael Buss, who has been an Instructor at the Fitness Club for almost 9 years. His Group Fitness classes are very popular. The family connections to the District go even deeper: their three sons are all park district kids, just like Jami was as she grew up in Highland Park. Her memories are the perfect place to start her story. Here we go.
Talking to Jami reinforces why this Park District has been so important to residents for their entire lives. “One of my fondest memories, from when I was just 5 years old, is going to Safety Village,” said Jami. “In those days, it was in the parking lot at Centennial Ice Arena.” Safety Village is still going strong at West Ridge. “Our kids went, and they loved it!”
“I grew up near Centennial, and we enjoyed ice skating and the shows. That area was such a great place to explore. We did lots of hiking and fishing, and of course, sledding in the winter. When I was in Middle School, sometimes we would just hang out at the Ice Arena. It was always great fun, and looking back, I realize how important it was to all of us kids.” That’s what we do at your Park District—provide safe, fun places where kids and families connect and make their own memories.
Flash forward. About 12 years ago, Jami joined the Fitness Club and continued a lifetime journey of healthy activities. Belonging to a club, connecting with Highland Park residents, and making new friends is one of the most important ways to stay physically and mentally fit. It’s a big part of what we offer every day. “My kids would come with me when they were 2 and 4, and play in the babysitting room while I worked out,” Jami related. Those two kids were Leo, now 15, and Henry, 13. “When Leo was 2 and 3 years old, he also went to Mommy’s Morning Away at West Ridge,” Jami said. “The teachers were wonderful!”
Samson, who is 8, rounds out the family. All three boys enjoy many of our year-round and seasonal programs: Baseball and Football, Sports Camps and Summer Camps, and especially Into the Wild Lakeshore, where campers explore nature, go swimming and dig into beachcombing as part of their summer adventures. “During Covid, living near Sunset Woods Park, the outdoor resources became extra important to our family,” said Jami, “and as things opened up, we all realized what amazing programs and opportunities the Park District offers the community. It’s one of the reasons I came to work here a year ago, and now helping other people get connected to the Park District is one of the true joys of my job.”
We can tell you that it’s a joy just to be around Jami, and we’re grateful to have her as part of our family.
We would love to hear your personal and family stories. Send us a wonderful memory or two that we can share. Until then… See you around the parks!
In our third and final installment of Parks in Mind, a video series in collaboration with Endeavor Health that explores mental health and recreation, Dr. Fazio and Kyle answer the following questions:
Lindsay T. Fazio, PhD is the System Director of Wellbeing & Vitality for Endeavor Health. Her role is to develop and drive the strategic plan to bring wellbeing to each and every team member no matter their role or responsibility within the organization.
She received her B.S. in Psychology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and her Ph.D. in counseling psychology from Indiana State University. She completed her residency in medical psychology at St. James Hospital and Health Centers. Dr. Fazio’s passion is promoting wellness began 20 years ago teaching physicians and physicians-in-training. She works with departments and health systems nationally to monitor burnout provide a programatic series of strengths-based interventions to promote resiliency and engagement across all members of the healthcare team.
Kyle Kovski, LCSW is dedicated to supporting the emotional wellbeing of individuals within Endeavor Health. His dual role as the Wellbeing Support Advisor and System R.I.S.E. Clinical Coordinator showcases his commitment to fostering resilience and creating a supportive culture within the organization.
With his educational background in Social Work, Kyle brings a comprehensive understanding of human behavior and mental health to his role. His clinical experience across different age groups and symptomatology provides him with a nuanced perspective on addressing the diverse needs of individuals. Kyle’s focus on supporting medical professionals is especially impactful, given his firsthand experience in Family Medicine Residency programs support Behavioral Health Education. He recognizes the unique challenges individuals are faced with daily and advocates for the importance of stress management and resilience techniques in mitigating the impact of trauma.
By drawing from his expertise in trauma and emphasizing the importance of holistic wellbeing, Kyle empowers individuals to navigate challenges effectively. His efforts not only benefit the individuals he directly supports but also contribute to creating a culture of support and resilience within Endeavor Health.
In our second installment of Parks in Mind, a video series in collaboration with Endeavor Health that explores mental health and recreation, Dr. Fazio and Kyle answer the following questions:
Lindsay T. Fazio, PhD is the System Director of Wellbeing & Vitality for Endeavor Health. Her role is to develop and drive the strategic plan to bring wellbeing to each and every team member no matter their role or responsibility within the organization.
She received her B.S. in Psychology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and her Ph.D. in counseling psychology from Indiana State University. She completed her residency in medical psychology at St. James Hospital and Health Centers. Dr. Fazio’s passion is promoting wellness began 20 years ago teaching physicians and physicians-in-training. She works with departments and health systems nationally to monitor burnout provide a programatic series of strengths-based interventions to promote resiliency and engagement across all members of the healthcare team.
Kyle Kovski, LCSW is dedicated to supporting the emotional wellbeing of individuals within Endeavor Health. His dual role as the Wellbeing Support Advisor and System R.I.S.E. Clinical Coordinator showcases his commitment to fostering resilience and creating a supportive culture within the organization.
With his educational background in Social Work, Kyle brings a comprehensive understanding of human behavior and mental health to his role. His clinical experience across different age groups and symptomatology provides him with a nuanced perspective on addressing the diverse needs of individuals. Kyle’s focus on supporting medical professionals is especially impactful, given his firsthand experience in Family Medicine Residency programs support Behavioral Health Education. He recognizes the unique challenges individuals are faced with daily and advocates for the importance of stress management and resilience techniques in mitigating the impact of trauma.
By drawing from his expertise in trauma and emphasizing the importance of holistic wellbeing, Kyle empowers individuals to navigate challenges effectively. His efforts not only benefit the individuals he directly supports but also contribute to creating a culture of support and resilience within Endeavor Health.
Walter the Raccoon seems to have left behind some items in our parks, can you help find them?
Each day this week, Walter will leave a clue here (and on our Facebook) about which park he’s visited. When you find Walter with the item left behind at one of our parks, scan the QR code to see what fun activity you can do and enter our drawing to win prizes and a gift card!
Walter can’t find his hiking stick! Can you help him find it in one of our parks? Here’s your clue:
“I thought I’d grab my fishing pole,
And head on past the Pickle Ball or Tennis Courts.
There’s a great little fishing hole,
Where you can see animals of all sorts!
If you see ice you’ve gone too far.”
Spring is here, and all around us, animals are waking up and getting ready for an exciting summer. Our bees are gathering pollen from the earliest flowers, Illinois is set to see two periodic broods of cicadas, and frogs and toads can be heard calling all around. Among this waking wildlife is a little arachnid that concerns us each year: the tick. Unfortunately, there will be more ticks this year. The surprising answer as to why actually has to do with acorns. The past two years have been good for acorns, which is good for mice, which is good for ticks. This year, however, we are seeing fewer acorns, which means less mice. With a tick population lagging slightly behind this trend, this year we have lots of ticks with less mice to feed on.
In Illinois, there are typically two common tick types: the deer tick, which carry Lyme disease, and the wood tick. Deer ticks are small and hard to spot, so look out for rashes or bullseye shaped spots on your body. Wood ticks are larger, and while they may not carry Lyme, they are known to carry other germs that may be harmful to humans.
There is a third tick to look out for this year. The Longhorned Asian Tick has been discovered in Illinois (the 20th state they have been found in so far) and is considered invasive in the US. Currently, it is expected that the tick carries some germs that are dangerous to humans, but we do not know if they can transmit them yet. They are known to be dangerous to livestock and some pets. If you come in contact with a tick, immediately remove it—if you can, try to trap it (a piece of tape works) and keep it. Doctors can sometimes test a tick that bit you to see if there is cause for concern.
The Illinois Department of Health has posted some excellent guidelines for preventing tick bites:
Introducing Parks in Mind, a conversation exploring mental health and recreation in collaboration with Endeavor Health. In this video series, two mental health professionals come together for an informed discussion on mental health and emotional wellbeing, Parks and Recreation’s important role in mental health, coping with challenges and stress, the benefits of social connection, and more.
In this video, Dr. Fazio and Kyle answer the following questions:
Lindsay T. Fazio, PhD is the System Director of Wellbeing & Vitality for Endeavor Health. Her role is to develop and drive the strategic plan to bring wellbeing to each and every team member no matter their role or responsibility within the organization.
She received her B.S. in Psychology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and her Ph.D. in counseling psychology from Indiana State University. She completed her residency in medical psychology at St. James Hospital and Health Centers. Dr. Fazio’s passion is promoting wellness began 20 years ago teaching physicians and physicians-in-training. She works with departments and health systems nationally to monitor burnout provide a programatic series of strengths-based interventions to promote resiliency and engagement across all members of the healthcare team.
Kyle Kovski, LCSW is dedicated to supporting the emotional wellbeing of individuals within Endeavor Health. His dual role as the Wellbeing Support Advisor and System R.I.S.E. Clinical Coordinator showcases his commitment to fostering resilience and creating a supportive culture within the organization.
With his educational background in Social Work, Kyle brings a comprehensive understanding of human behavior and mental health to his role. His clinical experience across different age groups and symptomatology provides him with a nuanced perspective on addressing the diverse needs of individuals. Kyle’s focus on supporting medical professionals is especially impactful, given his firsthand experience in Family Medicine Residency programs support Behavioral Health Education. He recognizes the unique challenges individuals are faced with daily and advocates for the importance of stress management and resilience techniques in mitigating the impact of trauma.
By drawing from his expertise in trauma and emphasizing the importance of holistic wellbeing, Kyle empowers individuals to navigate challenges effectively. His efforts not only benefit the individuals he directly supports but also contribute to creating a culture of support and resilience within Endeavor Health.
The Park District of Highland Park is thrilled to announce plans for a new indoor sports facility dedicated exclusively to pickleball and padel on Skokie Valley Road.
The existing site for the new facility is a collaboration between the Park District of Highland Park and City of Highland Park, in which the city owns the land, and the Park District manages all operations at the site through a 99-year Lease Agreement. An existing air supported dome owned by a third-party (Grantee) is permitted to rent space for indoor recreation uses such as soccer, lacrosse, and other similar sports consistent with the terms of a Concession and Site Agreement. With anticipation of the Agreement expiring in April 2024, the Park District released a request for proposals for a new long-term agreement that would meet the needs of the community.
Although the Park District did not receive a proposal from the current Grantee, a promising proposal submitted by the Saslow Family included a generous donation dedicated for the construction of a new pickleball and padel facility. In December 2023 the Park Board approved a Donor Agreement with the Saslow Family, which was recently followed with approval to purchase a new air supported dome and begin design for a state-of-the-art facility tailored for these rapidly growing sports. The new facility plan features 10 pickleball courts, 4 padel courts, café, pro shop, and restrooms.
“As we begin planning for this outstanding indoor facility, I am filled with immense pride and excitement for the future of pickleball and padel in Highland Park,” said Ron Saslow. “This project embodies a commitment to fostering an active and connected community. I can’t wait to see our residents come together, engaging in these dynamic sports throughout the year, regardless of the weather.”
The project is estimated to cost approximately $4.2 million, including the purchase and installation of the dome, along with the construction of the courts and additional amenities. A considerable portion of the funding comes from the Saslow family’s generous donation, with further financial support being sought through the Parks Foundation of Highland Park.
Nick Baird, Director of Recreation at the Park District, highlighted the alignment of this project with broader community objectives. “Converting the old structure into a vibrant, year-round facility aligns with our goals for the site, and expands our recreational offerings in the community,” Baird noted. The Park District is actively working to relocate the few existing sports programs that currently use the old dome.
Brian Romes, Executive Director of the Park District, also commented on the community’s demand for indoor courts. “We consistently hear from our community members about the need for indoor pickleball courts. With this new facility, we’re responding to that demand and enhancing our recreational landscape,” Romes said.
The Park District aims to open the new paddle facility in the winter of 2024-2025, with plans to finalize the purchase of the dome soon and complete installation by the end of 2024. Community members and businesses interested in contributing to the project can find more details and sponsorship opportunities on the Parks Foundation website at pfhpil.org.
The world can feel so isolating nowadays. Everyone is always on their phone. Working remotely. Everything, down to groceries, is delivered right to our doorstep. What does that mean for our mental well-being?
Humans are social creatures by nature, and social connectedness is crucial to our mental and physical health. Studies going back more than 20 years have shown the positive effects of being connected to a community of any size, and how that results in living a longer, happier life.
And yet, loneliness and social isolation are on the rise.
According to an AARP Research study: “About one-third of U.S. adults age 45 and older report feeling lonely — and the number is growing.” 1 The same study shows that just getting to know one’s neighbors can help reduce loneliness: Nearly twice as many midlife and older adults who have never spoken to their neighbors reported feeling lonely.
So, where can you organically meet people in your community?
Well, as we say: in a park, of course.
The Park District is, in many ways, the beating heart of a community. It’s where connections are formed. We have Park District classes, programs, and events designed to bring people together and form a community no matter what your age or interest. Our after-school programs are a great way that kids from twos to teens meet up and make friends who enjoy the same fun activities, from archery to computer coding to stories around a campfire. Our summer camps offer dozens of ways for kids and teens to connect and bond over sports, nature, gymnastics, art, music, theater, and dance. Each of these camps is a community: a safe space for kids to learn, grow, and create those lifelong friendships. Many of our campers stay with us for years, take their life skills back into their schools, and continue on with us as counselors. It’s an important way that our Park District community grows.
When it comes to fostering friendships, our programs are a great place to start. But these social connections don’t just form in a class that you register for. It’s a group of moms chatting in the hallway as they pick up their children from ParkSchool. Or the parents who end up spending every weekend together watching their kids play baseball. The dog owners who strike up a conversation at the dog park. These spontaneous, organic moments of connection are the true magic of the park district. Down the hall, on the trail, or in the park, there might be a stranger who, in a matter of time, will become a lifelong friend.
1 Loneliness and Social Connections: A National Survey of Adults 45 and Older
