October 16: Workshop Meeting of the Park Board

In 2015, Park District staff developed the District’s first Sustainability Plan to identify strategies to achieve sustainability goals and better coordinate with City-wide priorities. The 2015 plan has since been used as an internal document guiding practices leading to quantifiable achievements in District operations. Staff presented a progress report on recent sustainability efforts and shared draft goals and objectives for a new Sustainability plan.

Staff provided construction updates for the New Facility and Site Improvements at West Ridge Park, the Recreation Center of Highland Park Construction projects, Danny Cunniff Playground Resurfacing and Fencing project, Old Elm and Port Clinton Playground Improvements project, Rosewood Park Playground Replacement Design Concepts, Sunset Woods Park Improvements project, and Park Avenue Boating Facility North Beach Improvements project.

October 22: Finance Committee Meeting

Staff presented the updated agreement terms between the Park District and the Homeowners Association for the Rory David Deutsch Tot Lot and the proposed playground and site improvements.

Staff provided a tax levy recommendation and the impacts for an individual taxpayer.

Staff reviewed the five-year health insurance cost trends at the District and management’s strategy to address rising costs while continuing to offer employees a quality health benefits structure.

October 23: Policy Committee Meeting

The Human Resources Department is revising the current Employee Handbook. Staff reviewed proposed revisions to policies impacting military leave and bereavement leave, payroll and recording of hours worked, and employee conduct.

October 23: Facility and Recreation Committee Meeting

Staff shared images of construction progress for the new Club Pickle and Padel facility and site and presented the phased marketing approach to promote the new facility and membership since the grand opening has been delayed.  

October 30: Regular Meeting of the Park Board

The Park Board of Commissioners approved Ordinance 2024-10 Authorizing and Providing for the Conveyance or Sale of Surplus Personal Property.

Staff presented the end-of-season report for Hidden Creek AquaPark. The report compared attendance figures, revenues from daily admissions, memberships and rentals, and operational expenses from maintenance and staffing costs over the last three years (2022 – 2024).