• Click here for your guide to lakefront parking for residents and non-residents
• A parking area for vehicles with attached trailers is available
• Any boat owners, who carry their boats on top of their cars, must ONLY purchase a season parking decal (see Lakefront parking guide)
• Vehicle/trailer length must not exceed 45′

• Boats over 21′ may have difficulty launching in low water situations. Caution must be taken to prevent damage.
• All motorized boat owners must have a safety inspection and display the current U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Safety Decal. It is mandatory that these safety requirements must be met before launching.
• Vessel Safety Checks (VSC):
  You may contact Donna Feldman at 847.597.8125 with the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary to schedule an appointment or you may click here 
• All boats launching must not exceed factory setting on noise levels and must conform to all federal, state and local laws concerning noise levels. Violators are subject to suspension of launching privileges.
• Patrons may launch their vessels, during non-staffed hours.

P.W.C. owners must purchase a season launch decal.  

• Personal Flotation Devices (P.F.D.) must be worn at all times.
• P.W.C. must be at Idle Speed only in harbor and within 300 yards of ramp/fishing area.
• P.W.C. must have a U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary VESSEL SAFETY CHECK prior to launching for a decal/pass. Click here to schedule a vessel safety check
• P.W.C. may beach north of the water treatment plant. Boaters may only beach on the South Beach at the attendant’s discretion.
• All P.W.C. must not exceed factory setting on noise levels.
• No operations of P.W.C. are allowed between sunset/sunrise.
• P.W.C. must adhere to all rules and regulations at the Park Avenue Boating Facility.
• P.W.C. owners are responsible for any use of the P.W.C. Misuse is subject to disciplinary action.

Due to space limitations, no one person may have more than two poles and one net while fishing at the Park Avenue facility. Angle parking is available for vehicles not more than 20 feet long.

The Park Avenue facility could be affected by increased security at the Highland Park Water Plant. The Park District will remain in close contact with the Highland Park Police Department and will notify our patrons of any changes in procedures as soon as possible.

No person under 10 years of age may operate a motorboat. Persons at least 10 years of age and less than 12 years of age may operate a motorboat only if they are accompanied on the motorboat and under the direct control of a parent or guardian. Persons at least 12 years of age and less than 18 years of age may operate a motorboat only if they are accompanied on the motorboat and under the direct control of a parent or guardian, or such motorboat operator is in possession of a Boating Safety Certificate issued by the Department of Natural Resources, Division of Education, authorizing the holder to operate motorboats. Violations of this Section done with the knowledge of a parent or guardian shall be deemed a violation by the parent or guardian and punishable under Chapter 625, Article 11a of this Act.

The Vessel Safety Check is a complimentary check of your boat conducted by members of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, confirming that it meets both federal and state requirements for safety. No citations are issued and the results of the safety check are not reported to any enforcement agency, but a decal is awarded to display if the vessel has passed the examination.

An example of some of the items checked include:

• Personal Flotation Devices (life jackets)
• Registration and numbering
• Navigation lights
• Ventilation
• Fire extinguishers
• Distress signals (flares, horn, etc.)
• Battery cover and connections

All of these items are currently required by state and federal laws and, if missing or non-operating, can result in a citation if your vessel is inspected by the Coast Guard.  The Vessel Safety Check gives you a risk-free way to check that you meet the legal minimums and to potentially avoid a citation later. To schedule your safety check please click here.