While the big kids are busy at school, we’ve got plenty of opportunities to keep your little ones active and learning this Fall! From creative outlets to outdoor adventures, here’s a list of ideas to fill those precious hours with your tots at the Park District of Highland Park.
Read and walk our featured book along the trails at Heller Nature Center.
Be sure to check out our two newly renovated tot playgrounds at Moroney Park and Sunset Woods Park.
Visit Heller Nature Center and enjoy this unique nature play area.
Enjoy our challenging 18-hole mini golf course. Fun for the whole family.
Did you know we have over 20 miles of walking trails at the Park District? Find a path near you.
Enjoy a picnic at one of our parks! We have over 40 parks to choose from.
Heller Honey is on sale! Grab a jar or 2 at the Recreation Center of Highland Park, Heller Nature Center or Madame Zuzu’s and whip up one of these kid-friendly recipes:
On Monday, August 21, the Park District of Highland Park hosted a community meeting to share more information about the proposal brought to the Park District by HillCo apartments for consideration to construct a shared parking lot on the Northeast corner of Sunset Woods Park. Feedback collected will be shared with the Park Board of Commissioners. The Park Board will be evaluating an agreement with HillCo on September 13 and 27, and the proposed parking lot will be evaluated by the City of Highland Park Plan and Design Commission on September 5.
Please find takeaways from the meeting below.
The activation of this corner of the park, as proposed by the Sunset Woods Master Plan, has not been approved and the concept has not been further developed. The addition of a garden and new paths is currently an unfunded project. The donation from Hillco would provide the Parks Foundation of Highland Park with $100,000 to go towards development of concept for a park garden and gathering area.
No, the proposed parking lot does not include lighting.
If the project is permitted at the September Planning and Design Commission meeting, the proposed easement agreement would be reviewed and considered for approval by the Park Board on September 13 and September 23, 2023. Park Board Meetings are public and the agendas are posted on the Park District’s website.
The apartment complex is currently using the School District 112 lot for parking and that lot is no longer available for use due to the temporary location of Ravinia School.
Nothing.
Yes, Hillco has an approved plan for a parking lot that would be in front of their building along Park Ave W and would contain 12 parking spaces. See the approved plan here (page 11). Hillco has indicated they will build only one parking lot.
8 spaces.
The parking lot will not impact the McCaffrey Trail.
Yes, the existing path on the Western and Southern edges of the open lawn space will remain.
The proposed parking lot would be about 7,000 square feet, and approximately 4,000 square feet would be located on Park District property.
If the Park District moves forward with activating the Northeast corner of the park, thus creating a destination, ADA Parking spaces would be required for access. The route from the existing ADA parking on Sunset Road to the Northeast corner and proposed park development concept is not ADA compliant.
17 spaces in total, with 2 ADA spaces constructed on the Park District side.
An excessive heat warning has been extended for Lake County through 8pm on Thursday, August 24. Our area is expected to have dangerous conditions with heat indexes of 112 to 118 degrees.
The following facilities will be open, and programs will run as scheduled:
All other outdoor lessons and programs scheduled for Thursday will be moved inside where possible for our residents and staff’s health and safety. Other outdoor programs that cannot be moved indoors may be canceled. Pre-registered program participants will be contacted directly by their program supervisor.
We will continue to monitor the situation carefully and make any necessary adjustments to our operations for the health and safety of our participants and staff. Please check our website and social media for the latest updates.
Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances. Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When possible, reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Wear lightweight and loose-fitting clothing when possible. To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air-conditioned environments. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an emergency! Call 9 1 1.
The City of Highland Park partners with the Park District and Public Library in offering cooling centers to community members in need during heat waves. During daytime hours, all are welcome at the following locations during their normal operating hours (click to view):
After-hours cooling centers operate on an ad hoc basis to assist residents during emergencies such as power outages. Information about evening cooling centers will be posted on the City’s website when activated. Please bookmark cityhpil.com/coolingcenters to check to see if after-hours cooling centers have been activated.
For information on how to identify the warning signs of heat-related illness and what to do, go to the Center for Disease Control.
In Part 2 of our 3-part series on “Where Community Grows,” we presented four more stories from members of our community who play, work, make friends, stay fit, and enjoy the real sense of community that the Park District provides. In Part 3, we have more inspirational stories from your friends and neighbors.
Millie Nanus, who is a Mighty Oak, is happy to tell you everything she likes about the ParkSchool program, Safety Village, Imagination Station (“Which was amazing!”), Ice Skating (“I love it!”), and so many more things at the Park District—all while you talk with her mom, Lisa, who grew up in Highland Park and enjoyed the pool and camps. Now, Millie loves gymnastics, and Lisa has done the Mom & Tot gymnastics program with Henry, the youngest. Everyone enjoys the Heller Nature Center, Rosewood Beach (“It’s awesome!”), and the 100 Days of Summer is posted on the refrigerator, of course. The Under the Big Top Dance was a big hit for both Millie and her older sister, Nora, and Lisa liked that this new version is “more inclusive.” This is a family that’s deeply connected to the community through the Park District. Just ask Millie.
Lori Fink‘s daughter Sloane is 5 and has been in the Kinderdance program for 3 years. “If you ask her to pick one activity she wants to do, it’s Ballet,” said Lori. “Rebecca (our Dance Coordinator) is amazing. She’s so calm and patient with the kids, and I’m blown away by how she runs the recitals with hundreds of kids and families. Sloane is super excited to be there, she’s confident about what she’s doing, and I feel like it’s made her a leader.” Lori also said that “the Park District knows that the kids are there to learn and be serious about dance, but also to always have a good time. They understand fun.” Kids come up to Sloane at other events around the District and say Hi! “When I ask her how she knows these kids, it’s often through dance.” Community is having fun with your friends. Jason Fink coaches Little Sluggers and first-grade baseball at the Park District, and AYSO Soccer in Highland Park, extending the family’s connections to the community.
Judy and Stephen Smiley moved to Highland Park in 1974, and have been Rec Center members for about 7 years. Their children, now grown with families of their own, were always involved with Park District sports and camps. They have wonderful memories of going to Twin Pools (where Hidden Creek AquaPark is now) every afternoon with their neighbors and the kids. Community grows where people get together. All of the parks, including West Ridge, Sunset Woods, and Woodbridge, were part of the regular routine, where families met and kids played.
Judy talked about Baker Ball with particular fondness, and, as everyone who was in the program does, remarked on how Marv Baker knew every kid’s name and every parent’s name, whether on the ballfield or just walking down the street. That’s what community is all about.
What Judy and Stephen like about the Recreation Center is what you hear from all the members: “The staff is so welcoming and friendly, and everything is so accessible.” We appreciate the kind words.
Lia Sansiper graduated on May 14, 2023, from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, having earned her B.S. degree in Elementary Education. The very next week, in her role as a Camp Director, she was already working on the structure for a brand new summer camp here at the district. It’s a great story that starts back in 2009.
Highland Park is Lia’s hometown, and she was a ‘Park District kid’. One of the things she loved most, and remembers well, was her experience at the district’s summer arts camp called S.W.E.A.T. Shop (later Spotlighters and Take Center Stage) which encompassed making art, creating ceramics, doing theatre performances, and learning American Sign Language (ASL). “I went to it the first time with a couple of my friends when I was going into third grade, and I kept going through sixth grade because I just loved what the camp was about. Everything we did was so memorable, and the counselors were awesome!” She was also enrolled in the After Camp program, which comes up again later in this story. Asked about the ASL class, Lia said “It was really cool learning sign language from the camp directors, and I still remember the chorus of We Are The World by Michael Jackson.” A kid goes to a Park District summer arts camp, learns about sign language, and is inspired to emulate her counselors. That’s what happens in a community.
Lia ‘aged out’ of that summer arts camp, and having been inspired and mentored by great counselors—“Susan was a real influence for all of the years I was there.”—she decided to sign up for the Counselors in Training (CIT) program and was a part of that each summer in 2013, 2014, and 2015. “I wanted to be just like my counselors,” and she wanted to learn “What went on behind the scenes,” at the camps. CITs pay to go to a summer camp, but get training to help counselors with all of that camp’s daily requirements, including check-in, setting up, and cleaning. “Four days a week we had responsibilities, but one day was always a field trip when we got to just be a camper, traveling to places like Six Flags, or going horseback riding.” Those years reinforced for Lia that she “Loved to teach!” Her CIT experience led her to become a full counselor, at Camp Sunshine for ages 4 and 5, where she has been mentoring kids and giving back to the community for the past five years.
The new summer camp that Lia has designed, with her Co-Director, Sarah Aronson, is called SPOT (an acronym for Summer Play at Oak Terrace). It’s for kids ages 6–12 and includes a number of things that were important to Lia when she was a camper. “Every day is packed with fun things to do: art, cooking, sports & games, music & entertainment, and some special events like playing pickleball and enjoying a nature walk.” Art includes both planned and free creative time, and cooking has included making delicious fruit spring rolls and beautiful rainbow waffles. Lia stressed that accessibility was a key component in the development of this camp. Parents can sign their child up for one week at a time, rather than a 3- or 4-week session like many of the other camps, which helps families plan for vacations and other summertime activities, and also makes the camp more affordable. “That’s really important, and so we’re able to have a lot of siblings in SPOT.” It’s a community thing. Most of the activities are held right at the camp (now based at Danny Cuniff Park), but each week campers have a swim day—with lessons and free swim time—at Hidden Creek AquaPark. “The campers love to go on the bus and say hi to Larry the driver!”
And, as if running that camp is not enough, Lia is also now the Director of the After Camp program this summer, bringing that part of her own camp experience full circle. “Over the years, as a camper and as a staff member, I’ve made so many amazing friends here, and we hang out together!” One by one, community grows.
Camper. CIT. Counselor. Director. Educator. We are so proud to have Lia as a member of our Park District team, and to know her as someone who is working every day to help us build a strong, vibrant, caring community in Highland Park.
Did you recognize yourself, a family member, a friend, or a neighbor in these stories? We hope so. And, we hope you’ll share your story of “Where Community Grows” with us. You can find out about everything we do here on our website and take a minute to watch our “Where Community Grows” video.
See you around the parks!
This week we celebrated the grand re-opening of the Park Avenue Boating Facility Breakwater and Boat Ramp. The event took place on Wednesday, July 19. Over 120 guests gathered for event; among those in attendance were Illinois State Representative of the 58th District, Bob Morgan; City Council members, members of the Park District of Highland Park Board of Commissioners, Parks Foundation of Highland Park Board members, Park Avenue Breakwater & Boat Ramp Fundraising Committee Members, and members of the Park Avenue Working Group.
The rejuvenated Boating Facility continues its legacy as a place where residents can come to restore their minds, bodies, and spirits through boating, fishing, social activities, walking, or simply sitting to enjoy the stunning views of Lake Michigan for generations to come. If you haven’t visited the new breakwater – you are in for a treat!
About the Project
In April 2022, the Park Board approved the construction of the Park Avenue Breakwater Project. Funding included $2,000,000 from the Park District’s capital fund, $200,000 from a Boat Access Area Development Grant through IDNR, and $455,000 from the Park Avenue Fundraising Committee of the Parks Foundation of Highland Park, made possible from community donations. Construction began in Fall of 2022.
In Part 1 of our 3-part series on “Where Community Grows,” we presented five stories from members of our community who play, work, make friends, stay fit, and enjoy the real sense of community that the Park District provides. In Part 2, we have more inspirational stories from your friends and neighbors.
So many of the parents who spoke with us talked about how great it was for their kids to see friends and to meet other families at programs like Safety Village, at events like Touch a Truck and Pumpkin Fest, and at favorite parks like Sunset Woods. Roxie Haery’s two sons, Kyle and Ryan, participated in preschool programs and music classes at the West Ridge Center, and she and her husband were always “very comfortable leaving our children with the Park District staff, because they are organized, professional, and always treat the kids with respect.” Respect and inclusivity come up a lot when talking to people about the Park District community. We’re proud of that.
The Haery’s boys have also been playing tennis at Deer Creek Racquet Club, where “the instructors work so well with kids of all ages,” and “we truly feel that our children are getting a very high level of instruction,” said Roxie.
Many families will tell you about the Park District baseball programs, particularly the Fall Classic League which practices and plays games at Sunset Woods Park, West Ridge, and Lincoln Park. Roxie Haery specifically mentioned that the volunteer coaches are the dads of the players on those teams, and the feeling is “inclusive and family oriented, so you will always see parents, grandparents, and siblings at the games.” Community is not the ballfield. It’s the people.
Chase Sears, who started in Saplings, graduated from Mighty Oaks in May. “He LOVED it!” said his mom, Samantha. “It was an amazing program and he learned so much. Miss Samia and Miss Jenny are such special people, and everyone raves about them!” Sam was impressed with how the teachers communicated with her every day, showing the projects Chase made. “They are all so warm and loving, and the curriculum is great.” Community is about being welcoming. At your Park District, all are welcome. It’s part of our DNA.
When Beth Pieti and her family moved here almost 11 years ago, it was the word of mouth from family (her sister) and neighbors that led her to the Recreation Center, as well as so many other Park District facilities, programs, and events. One of the things that Beth likes best about being a Rec Center member is that she has met lots of new friends in the Group Fitness Classes. They connect before class, and then they stay after class to chat some more. Finding things for her three children to do all year at the Park District was easy, because “they offer so many great programs.” Zoe, Emma, and Luke “went to summer camps and loved the Touch-A-Truck event among many others.” They enjoyed the parks–especially Sunset Woods–and, of course, Rosewood Beach, where they would take friends whenever they came from out-of-town. When you have a great community, you want to show it to everyone.
Do you know Mac Ludington? You should! And if your child is one of our 5th-grade Crew Campers, we bet you’ve heard them talk about Mac. Maybe about her swimming career at Highland Park High School and her impressive IHSA State Championship times. Or that she’s been a Chef Instructor at Sticky Fingers Cooking. Or that she’s been a pianist for 15 of her 19 years. Or maybe it’s that when Mac talks enthusiastically about being a camp counselor, she makes sure you know that Crew Camp is “the quintessential day camp, where we are just being outside and having fun!” As a kid, she always went to sleepaway camp, and about those days she says “I. Loved. Camp! I loved my counselors.” Her enthusiasm is infectious. It makes you smile. She’s a counselor you want your kids to spend the summer with, learn from, and look to as a role model. And, as an Athlete with Disabilities (AWD), Mac is well aware that “most kids don’t know how to act around disabled people.” So she’s bringing that extra piece of information to camp, helping kids go back out into the community with the knowledge that since their “super-cool camp counselor was also disabled, and that’s not a bad thing,” they are now more aware, more understanding of people, and more inclusive. That’s the way to build a better community.
Did you recognize yourself, a family member, a friend, or a neighbor in these stories? We hope so. And, we hope you’ll share your story of “Where Community Grows” with us. You can find out about everything we do here on our website and take a minute to watch our “Where Community Grows” video.
See you around the parks!
Highland Park lost one of the great ones on July 12. Charles “Chuck” Schramm passed away at the age of 89, having touched the lives of thousands of kids, teens, and parents over his long and outstanding career as a basketball player, sports coach, and mentor. Those of us at the Park District who knew Coach Schramm and watched him teach in our sports programs learned a lot about how to help kids love the games they were playing. “He had a big voice, and you always knew where he was!” said Brian Dumas, now the Park District’s Operations Manager, who worked alongside Coach for more than 14 years in the sports department. Brian remembers a time at one of the Parent-Tot T-Ball programs when there were more than 200 participants. In the middle of the staff and the volunteers helping to organize the chaos at Sunset Woods Park, “there was Coach Schramm singing Take Me Out To The Ball Game in his booming voice!”
At 6′ 6″, Coach was an imposing figure, especially at the Park District. “he was larger than life,” said Dumas, “always smiling, always kind, and always all about making sure the kids had a great time.” He made such a positive impression on young players in Highland Park and the surrounding communities that 20 years later they would bring their own kids back and introduce them to Coach Schramm. “That’s the sign of someone who has really made an impact, and it was fun to see the amazement in a little kid’s eyes when they met him and said he’s so tall!”
Many of you know Coach Schramm’s story because he was born and raised in Highland Park. As a teen, he caddied at the Bob-O-Link, Lake Bluff, and Deerpath Golf Courses—where he got to meet some of the greats, including Sam Snead, Ben Hogan, and Byron Nelson. He emerged as a star on the Highland Park High School Basketball team in his senior varsity year—after sitting on the bench for much of his first three years—sinking a couple of baskets late in a game to help the Giants secure an important win over Oak Park. That, along with his 13ppg average, would later garner several college scholarship offers. After an MVP year as a freshman at NIU (where his rebounding record stood for 32 years), and then sitting out a season, Schramm played for the Western Illinois Leathernecks under Hall of Fame coach Leroy “Stix” Morley, where he was a four-year IIAC all-league player and a two-time NAIA all-American.
Schramm was drafted as a forward by the Boston Celtics in 1957—one of the great teams with Bill Russell and Bob Cousy that played under future Hall of Fame coach Red Auerbach. After being sidelined by an injury, he went on to play and coach with the Wichita Vickers in the National Industrial Basketball League. A number of offers for college positions followed that stint, but Chuck decided to come back to the Highland Park area he loved and coach at his alma mater, Highland Park HS. For the next 11 years, in the late ’60s and through the ’70s, as the high school’s Jr. Varsity Basketball coach he led his teams to 100 victories.
During that time, Coach began his amazing tenure at the Park District where he founded the Travel Basketball League and the Prep (Intramural) Leagues for basketball and baseball players ages 14–18, which are all still going strong more than 50 years later. The Prep League was the first of its kind, created for players who perhaps had been cut from their school teams or who were not able to commit to an every day after-school varsity practice but still wanted to play competitive ball a few days a week on organized teams. “These leagues were very important to the players, and so was Coach Schramm,” said Eric Golmon, one of the Park District’s current Athletic Supervisors who worked with Coach for 20 years. “Coach put Highland Park players in a position to succeed, and so many of them have successful careers now because of him.” Coach was proud to have mentored at least 13 players—men and women in a variety of sports—who went on to play Division 1 college ball.
In a 2006 cover story for the local magazine six00threefive (now Highland Park Today)1, Chuck said “I loved my job coaching in HP, and working for the Park District the most! It allowed me to work with families I knew and to shape the programs any way I could.” All of us at the Park District and all of the families connected to his programs love what he gave to the community. “Coach brought his tremendous enthusiasm and passion to everything he did at the District,” said Golmon. The Park District baseball program ran from May through the end of summer at Lincoln School. Basketball ran from October through to spring. “He would coach 8 basketball games in a row on several days a week when he was in his 60s and 70s, doing whatever needed to be done to make sure that kids learned the right way to play,” Golmon remembers. That’s something you hear from everyone who knew Coach Schramm. He loved the game.
Paul Harris, Athletic Director at Highland Park High School, has a unique perspective on the impact Coach Schramm had on players. Harris was just 10 years old when he started playing in the youth basketball and baseball leagues that Coach was running at the Park District, and when he went to high school he had Coach as a physical education teacher. “There are multiple generations who learned how to play the game from Coach Schramm,” said Harris, “He was a role model and a mentor who taught us all how to ‘play it right,’ and how to win with class and dignity.”
After college, Harris came back to teach at Highland Park High School and was hired as the Head Golf Coach for the Varsity team in 1995. Coach Schramm had retired from teaching by then, but was still the Assistant Golf Coach, for the Jr. Varsity team. “It was great, as a young Head Coach, to have someone with all of his experience in multiple sports as an assistant. That’s when our relationship really became a friendship, and we spent 22 years coaching golf together at the high school.”
Over the course of his impressive teaching career, Coach helped lots of young women golfers, particularly in Lake Bluff, and the players on the high school JV team understand that golf is not an instant gratification sport. There are lots of struggles. You’re going to fail more than you succeed. Coach was able to show young players how to move through that and how to continue to love the game. “That led to a lot of players sticking with the game—whatever the sport was—that he was coaching them in,” said Harris.
Here are a few words of wisdom that those of you who were lucky enough to hear them from Coach Schramm will know, and which we take to heart as we strive to continue the work at the Park District.
“How fast you run, how high you jump, or how far you can hit a ball—that’s what you do. It’s not who you are.”
“Just keep loving the game and it will love you back.”
“You can be disappointed, but don’t be discouraged.”
“It’s OK to fail. You’ll be better because of it.”
The sports programs at the Park District, as well as the current generation of coaches in Highland Park, certainly would not be what they are today without Coach Schramm’s years of guidance. We’re better for having known him. He will always be a big part of why we love the game.
1 The six00threefive cover story was written by Coach Schramm’s friend Wes Wenk, and is used here with permission.
Cover Photo Source: Six00threefive Spring 2006
Community is a simple word. “Our community.” “It’s a community effort.” “Let’s meet at the Community Center.” We all know what it means, and yet it means so many different things. July is “Where Community Grows” month here, which is this year’s annual theme from the National Recreation & Parks Association. We hope you’ve had a chance to watch our video below on how your Park District helps foster community.
We’ve also gathered a series of stories from your friends and neighbors who play, work, make friends, stay fit, and enjoy the real sense of community that the Park District provides. The stories will be shared over the next several weeks here on our website and on our Facebook page. Perhaps you’ll see yourself, your kids, and your family in these words. And we hope you’ll continue to be a part of the community that’s growing here.
Community is all about people. Here at the Park District, our community starts when kids enter ParkSchool as a Sprout (2-year-olds), like Mia Howard did, or as a Sapling, and then grow into Mighty Oaks. “The teachers and assistants are all so friendly and welcoming,” said Mia’s mom, Rachel. “Mia went to Sprouts 2 days a week, and was so happy when she was able to go 5 days a week as a Sapling. This fall she will be in the Mighty Oaks program, and we’re really looking forward to it.”
Caren Ettleman said that her son Jonah, who graduated from Mighty Oaks this spring, had “an amazing year in class,” and “we love Miss Ginny and Miss Samia.” “I really liked the combination of structured learning and play that ParkSchool has…and all of the kids just run to get to class every day, to be with their friends and their teachers.” Her older son, Lavi, had also been in Mighty Oaks, and she has a niece and a nephew who will be in the ParkSchool programs this year. That’s how it starts. One family, two new friends, a classroom full of joy.
Andrea Monek has been a member of the Recreation Center for 13 years, after moving to Highland Park and looking at other fitness facilities in the area. She has trained with Karen and Justin, worked out with weights, and studied Yoga. But the class she liked best was Kickboxing, where she made new friends. “Now we walk outdoors in the Preserve, and indoors on the track.” Some of the things Andrea particularly likes about the Rec Center are that “it’s not intimidating, and it creates a sense of community among those of us who go there at the same time every day.”
Both of Andrea’s children, daughter Amelia and son Will were ‘Park District kids,’ enjoying all the parks, programs at Heller Nature Center, going to summer camp, and “practically living” at Rosewood Beach. “My daughter Amelia was 5 when we moved here, and I would bring her to KidFit (now KidsClub) while I worked out.” Last year, Amelia worked as a Park District camp counselor, for 4-year-olds, which led to some babysitting opportunities. That’s one way community grows. Will has studied Karate and Taekwondo, and participated in the District’s Golf Camps. Andrea says, “The Park District is my sanctuary.” We hope many of you feel that way.
MaVe Ohlwein has one of the most important jobs at the Park District: She’s a lifeguard. She’s kept people safe at the pools for 7 years. Her job now includes planning the ongoing in-service trainings for the guards and making sure all stations are properly staffed. We trust her to make sure our guards are in the right place at the right time, with the right skills. You can trust her to look out for you and your family.
MaVe is also a recent college graduate, with a double major in Spanish and Education, and is about to spend the next year being a bilingual teacher in Spain. So, why has MaVe been a lifeguard?
In addition to caring about kids, she says “I get to meet a bunch of people my age who are not from Highland Park, and foster relationships with people from other communities—Vernon Hills, Lincolnshire, Deerfield, Palatine—which is something I’ve always liked, and I think it’s a great opportunity for everyone.” That’s how you build a larger community. MaVe grew up as a ‘Park District kid,’ playing soccer and field hockey, going to summer camp, taking swim lessons, doing gymnastics and ice skating. Of all those fun things to do, she said, “This was the first job I recommended to any of my friends.” That’s how our community stays strong.
We hope so. And, we hope you’ll share your story of Where Community Grows with us. You can find out about everything we do on our website.
See you around the parks!
Today, these buzzwords are de rigueur for every organization.
At the Park District of Highland Park, these are much more than just words. They are a philosophy we live by every day. In 2019, your Park District was one of the first in the state to implement a transgender policy, designed to create a safe and inclusive environment in which community members, visitors and participants can be honest and open about who they are. We want everyone to feel comfortable using our facilities, participating in programs, and attending Park District events.
Diversity, equity, and inclusion are also at the core of the mission of our Climate Task Force.
The Task Force was an idea that Executive Director Brian Romes had in 2021, and which was soon headed by Executive Coordinator Roxanne Hejnowski. As the district began to open up after a full year of the pandemic, and driven to some extent by the civil unrest unfolding across the country, residents began to contact the district about “utilizing our parks as a safe space for free speech and to express their views about all that was going on,” said Hejnowski. While Park Districts have always worked to be inclusive places to work and play, the times clearly required a more proactive approach.
To help steer the course of their DEI journey, the Task Force identified four distinct areas for developing initiatives:
The Task Force has grown significantly in the last year, and now includes 15 members who are making a difference every day in every area of the district. “We’re now a well-oiled machine,” said Hejnowski. In 2023 alone more than 35 initiatives have been created to ensure that the DEI principles are part of the fabric of the district, and more than 15 of those have already been completed.
The district has made a serious commitment to offering DEI driven and low-to-no-cost seasonal programs and events. One was Earth Day at Heller Nature Center on April 22, where 10 school groups came to learn about the wide variety of plants and animal habitats that surround the center. That event also brought 45 people out to help woodchip and clean up trash on the trails. The community worked together with Park District staff to learn not only about nature, but about each other.
The district is collaborating with the City of Highwood to promote inclusivity of services to students, something that has been top of mind for the Board, the staff, and the Parks Foundation for many years. The Foundation fully funds Foundation Youth Initiative (FYI) grants for qualifying Highwood families, to help cover up to 50% of Park District program fees. The FYI Learn-to-Swim programs can cover 100% of the fees. We know that Swim Lessons Save Lives. Making them affordable makes young lives better.
Through the combined efforts of Park District staff and the community to support Zac’s Zoo, we collected 254 stuffed animals. The Highland Park Fire and Police First Responders will now be able to give one to a child who is caught up in a crisis situation.
On May 17 this year, the Park District donated 40 bags of non-perishable food items to Moraine Township to provide families in need, living in Highland Park and Highwood, with meals over the Memorial Day Weekend.
For more than ten years, area residents have been able to simply click a button and translate the Park District website into Spanish, Polish, or Russian, so that our communication with those communities is much more inclusive. To help make our face-to-face interactions more inclusive,
Park District staff is being offered training in Spanish, so that on-site we can be much more effective when talking with our diverse population of participants.
Recently, the Board of Park Commissioners took another significant step to make it easier for families in Highwood to take part in our Park District programs. Those families—and most importantly their kids, who go to the same schools as their friends who live in Highland Park— can now register at resident rates and on the same day as district residents. The kids are thrilled, the communities have been brought closer together, and everyone benefits.
Many of the Task Force’s initiatives are internal (“Incorporate mandatory diversity training into annual all-employee trainings/on-boarding”) and while the public may not be aware that they are taking place, the result is a district full of employees—full-time, part-time, and seasonal—who respond to members the community with greater care and understanding. When anyone comes to work with us at the Park District, we make sure they understand what our values are. Employees are treated with respect, and in turn our participants—and all members of the community—are treated with respect.
The Park District of Highland Park is an ally for inclusion and equitable access, where everyone is afforded the same rights and opportunities that result in a sense of belonging, and the ability to safely express themselves authentically, without judgment.
Diversity. Equity. Inclusion. We’re proud to champion these goals every day at your Park District.
We invite you to be a part of those efforts as we all build a better community, and a better world.
We have more words about our values and our purpose that we live by every day. You can read them here.
With over 700 acres of land, 45 parks, four beaches and nine facilities, the Park District of Highland Park is one of the largest and certainly one of the most diverse districts in Illinois.