Tue, Dec 17: The Rec Center Fitness Floor has temporarily moved to the gym, now a fully equipped workout space, as repairs continue in the main fitness area. Learn more.
Tue, Dec 17: The Rec Center Fitness Floor has temporarily moved to the gym, now a fully equipped workout space, as repairs continue in the main fitness area. Learn more.
Coloring of the courts was completed on Monday, September 23; the nets have been put back onto the courts.
September 24, 2024
September 18, 2024
Coloring of the courts started today.
Striping of the courts is expected to begin on September 19.
September 18, 2024
September 13, 2024
Patch work on the courts has been completed. Leveling of the court surface is nearing completion.
Coloring and striping are expected to begin the week of September 16.
September 13, 2024
September 6, 2024
Construction will begin on September 10 and the courts will be closed.
September 6, 2024
August 28, 2024
Construction is expected to begin the week of September 9. During construction, all courts will be closed.
August 28, 2024
Millard Beach Pathway
& Bluff Restoration
Portions of the Bluff Path and Benches are Temporarily Closed.
Work to repair failed slopes and improve slope stability at Millard Park is anticipated to begin late summer 2022. During this time, portions of the bluff path and park will remain blocked off due to erosion on the bluff and possible unstable conditions. Due to the nature of construction, the park roadway access and parking may be temporarily closed at times. Please follow detour signs for available paths through the park.
Millard Park and Beach is one of four lakefront properties owned by the Park District and is maintained as a passive natural area with minimal recreation amenities. Access through the park begins along a rustic path that runs across the western portion and middle of the park, passing both through and around a historic garden. Another trail runs along the east edge of the park, along the bluff. All paths unite to a single route along the northern half and lead to a gazebo structure. Overall, the park encompasses about 1,300 linear feet of bluff face ranging in height from 20 to 75 feet above the lake. The beach divides into four sections by sheet pile walls extending 70 to 150 feet long into Lake Michigan.
Over the past few years, storm and wave damage exacerbated by high lake levels have led to slope failures at the toe and top of the bluff. Based on a recommendation from the 2021 Beach Management Plan completed by SmithGroup, staff received Board direction to select a firm to provide a geotechnical study of the bluff and recommendations for future treatment. V3 Companies conducted a Slope Stability Analysis and recommended strategies for ensuring safety and long-term preservation of the bluff in keeping with its natural character and use as a passive park and beach. That report was delivered in July 2021 and presented to the Park Board of Commissioners on August 24, 2021. On September 30, 2021, staff received direction to develop a bid document for recommended remediation. This work may include:
Tree removal and management to address hazardous leaning/undermined trees to prevent further damage to the bluff face
Restoration of slope grades in targeted areas of the bluff where failure has occurred, plus restoration of those areas with native vegetation
Relocation of the existing path and creation of a buffer of native plantings to protect the bluff edge
Seeds and plants have been established well throughout the summer growing season. Staff plans to move fencing back at the north end of the upper park to open access to the gazebo. Fencing will remain on the edge of the bluff to continue to allow for the top-of-slope vegetative establishment and will be re-evaluated in the Spring.
September 19, 2024
May 28, 2024
Native seeds and plants installed on the bluff last growing season have established well in several zones throughout the project area. In late May, staff and volunteers installed plants and moved the fence closer to the bluff’s edge to allow visitors more access in the upper park. Staff will continue to assess the site on a weekly basis, with the goal to reopen the northern section of the upper park closest to the gazebo in the next month.
May 28, 2024
June 2, 2023
Grading work is now complete on the bluff. Native seeds and plants have been installed on the bluff; these deeply rooted plants will help in the re-establishment of the bluff’s native plant communities in the three grading zones. Additionally, a buffer of native seed was installed along the top of the bluff, and grass seed was installed in the upper park. This area will remain fenced off to allow the plants to establish.
June 2, 2023
March 27, 2023
Grading work is set to begin this week to create a more stable slope and upper park. There may be closures to the beach parking lot to allow safe movement of construction equipment.
March 27, 2023
January 26, 2023
Historic lake bluff and beach species such as White Cedar, Common Juniper, Serviceberry and Staghorn Sumac stand out now in the restoration areas.
January 26, 2023
January 24, 2023
Tree work is nearly complete and the next phase of work, grading of the bluff to create a more stable slope, is set to begin. There may be closures to the beach parking lot to allow safe movement of construction equipment as we make this transition.
January 24, 2023
December 19, 2022
Tree work continues this week. Frozen ground conditions are helping to protect the sensitive bluff areas.
December 19, 2022
December 1, 2022
Tree removals to protect the Millard Park lake bluff from further erosion are scheduled to begin the week of December 5. During this time there may be construction traffic on the west access road leading to the top of the park and there may be path closures. The work is expected to take 2 to 3 weeks but will depend on suitable weather conditions to avoid damaging the sensitive lake bluff.
When large trees fall due to storms or other natural causes, major damage can occur as they tear away soil and underlying clay. By proactively removing at-risk trees on the slope and installing native plants and shrubs, we hope to stabilize the bluff. For more information, contact Rebecca Grill at [email protected].
December 1, 2022
October 10, 2022
Restoration to the lake bluff at Millard Park has begun with the re-routing of park pathways by Parks crews. New connections will allow visitors to walk in the popular upper park at most times during this project. The first construction phase is anticipated to start in November and continue through the winter and early spring of 2023.
October 10, 2022
October 4, 2022
Park District crews have begun to reroute portions of the Millard Park pathway to prepare for the Bluff Restoration project. Some of these temporary paths will eventually become permanent. This is due to the need to move paths away from the bluff edge to protect from future erosion.
October 4, 2022
September 28, 2022
On September 28, 2022, the Park District Board of Commissioners approved the award of 2022-2023 Millard Bluff Grading and Tree Removal project in the base amount of $319,300. The contractor, RES Environmental Operating Company LLC, is expected to begin work in the coming weeks.
September 28, 2022
June 1, 2022
Priority removal of trees is along the top and base of the slope where significant slope failure is already occurring, exacerbated by uprooted trees that tear out fragile bluff soils.
A revised invitation for bid will be issued for 2022 Millard Bluff Grading and Tree Removal. Work will include grading of sheer top of bluff slopes to a stable 2:1 ratio, removal of trees to promote soil stability and restoration of the area with native seeds and live plants.
June 1, 2022
May 1, 2022
District Staff worked with City of Highland Park Building and Forestry departments to refine the scope of work, significantly reducing the number of trees for removal and getting approval for grading and restoration plans.
May 1, 2022
January 1, 2022
With Army Corps, City Forestry and IDNR permit reviews complete, an invitation for bid was issued for 2022 Millard Bluff Tree Removal. A single bid was received and opened on January 14. Staff recommendation was to defer this work to take place under safer weather conditions and to combine tree removal with proposed grading work, therefore, no bid was accepted.
January 1, 2022
November 30, 2021
A Joint Application to the US Army Corps of Engineers to permit access to the beach has been submitted as planning for work to stabilize the bluff continues.
November 30, 2021
November 8, 2021
Staff met on-site with V3 Companies and City staff to plan a detailed topo survey of the bluff face and tree inventory.
November 8, 2021
September 20, 2021
At the Parks and Natural Areas Committee Meeting, staff presented the Millard Park project plan for 2021 and 2022 based on the bluff stabilization report by V3. Recommendations include bluff trail relocation and grading, tree removal and slope grading on the bluff, seeding and planting, repair of the concrete seawall on the beach, and ongoing monitoring. The total cost for these projects is estimated to be $313,500. The Committee provided consensus to enter into an agreement with V3 for engineering, design, survey, and permitting in the amount of $24,300.
September 20, 2021
August 24, 2021
Slope Stability Analysis presented to the Park Board by Greg Wolterstorff, V3 Companies.
Ready to Play Ball at Jeff Fox Field! Construction of the ballfield has been completed.
September 11, 2024
August 22, 2024
Installation of the brick pavers has been completed, the artificial turf installation is underway.
August 22, 2024
August 8, 2024
The scoreboard sign posts have been installed.
August 8, 2024
August 8, 2024
Concrete has been installed for the spectator seating area and the site is being prepped for the turf installation.
August 8, 2024
July 15, 2024
Drainage installations to the field have been completed. Footings for the shelter have also been installed.
July 15, 2024
June 13, 2024
The bleacher cover column footings have been installed and the construction crew is prepping the area to install the brick pavers.
June 13, 2024
April 11, 2024
Construction is underway at Larry Fink Park.
April 11, 2024
March 20, 2024
The construction fence has been installed.
March 20, 2024
March 12, 2024
On Tuesday, March 12, the Park District of Highland Park celebrated the Jeff Fox Field Groundbreaking at Larry Fink Memorial Park with the Athletic Boosters.
March 12, 2024
December 1, 2023
At the December 2023 meeting, the Park Board of Commissioners approved the project for $1.02 million to modernize the existing baseball field at Larry Fink Park.
December 1, 2023
The Preserve of Highland Park Compton Avenue Trail Connection
Please be aware that landscape restoration is still underway and contractors will intermittently be working on or around the path
July 11, 2024
July 10, 2024
Restoration work around the trail is nearing completion.
July 10, 2024
June 26, 2024
Paving work has been completed! Restoration work will begin this week.
June 26, 2024
June 13, 2024
Construction is underway!
June 13, 2024
May 30, 2024
Construction has started! The trail system in the construction area is now closed.
May 30, 2024
Danny Cunniff Maintenance Building Improvements Project
Project Updates
Stay Up To Date on the Latest Renovations
November 30, 2023
Renovation work on the restrooms is nearing completion. Work is expected to be completed the week of December 18.
November 30, 2023
October 18, 2023
Demolition work is complete and renovations are underway for the restrooms. The roof replacement has been completed and the gutters will be installed soon.
October 18, 2023
October 9, 2023
Demolition work began today on the maintenance building restrooms.
October 9, 2023
Your Parks - Your Perspectives
The Park District of Highland Park would like to hear from you!
Over the summer, the Park District launched the Your Parks – Your Perspectives initiative, which asked residents to share their opinions about parks in Highland Park.
Feedback was collected to measure the Park District’s successes and opportunities to meet community needs through an online survey and conversations at the parks. The feedback will be used to guide the District’s operations and annual capital planning efforts.
Thank you to everyone who participated in the Your Parks – Your Perspectives initiative! Throughout the summer, District staff spoke to 514 people at a total of 63 park visits and collected 162 responses through the online survey.
A summary of the feedback collected is included below.
Danny Cunniff Fishing Deck and Gazebo Removal
After 30+ years, the time has come to say farewell to what remains of the gazebo and fishing pier at Danny Cunniff’s pond. Once grander in scale, the fishing deck’s pier was removed in 2018, in an effort to prolong the gazebo’s life for a few more years. This extended lifespan has now reached its end and the gazebo and remaining deck has been removed by the Park District.
The week of December 4, shoreline work will take place at the pond where the fishing deck was removed.
November 30, 2023
May 23, 2023
The Fishing Deck and Gazebo have been removed. Some landscaping and site restoration still needs work, which will be completed in the fall.
May 23, 2023
May 23, 2023
A dumpster has been delivered and demolition work is expected to begin this week.
May 23, 2023
May 12, 2023
The Fishing Deck and Gazebo are scheduled for removal the week of May 22, 2023 (weather permitting).
May 12, 2023
West Ridge Park Building and Site Planning
Project Background
In 2019 the Park District conducted a GreenPrint 2024 Review and Amendment, which expressed the need for a multi-purpose facility as well as the need to address West Ridge Center to provide flexible programming space to better serve the community with youth and adult programming, and an opportunity for a gymnastics studio.
The Park District started the design process for a new community center at West Ridge Park to replace the existing West Ridge Center in 2022. The plan to build new on the southeast section of West Ridge Park is supported by a preliminary planning assessment completed in 2023.
In 2024, the Park District of Highland Park was awarded $1.4 million through the Park and Recreational Facilities Construction (PARC) grant program administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to support elements this project including a gymnastics gym, multi-functional dance room, and youth enrichment space. The PARC grant program provides funding for park and recreation facility construction projects.
What is next? The Park Board of Commissioners will review bids in December.
Details regarding the construction schedule will be released in early 2025.
Construction of the new facility is anticipated to begin in Winter 2025 and be completed by Spring 2026.
August 1, 2024
August 1, 2024
After the community meetings in May, the Park District shared the same exhibits with the City Plan and Design Commission and went through the City approval process which reviews the project with particular attention to the exterior appearance of the building and zoning.
On Monday, July 29, the City of Highland Park City Council approved a special use permit and zoning map amendment for the new recreation facility at West Ridge Park project. This approval follows the design review approval from the Plan and Design Commission on July 16.
The Park District is concluding the design phase for the building and related site work and is on track to bid and award the construction contract by the end of the year. Design for the athletic fields and park elements will conclude design in 2025.
Thank you again for the those that provided feedback in May and attended public hearings as part of the City approval process. Your feedback is used to inform design and operations.
Below is a summary of the reoccurring comments heard.
• We heard from many of you who are excited and appreciate the project to address the West Ridge Center
• We heard an interest in adult programing.
• We heard positive feedback on the updated drop – off loop
• We heard an interest in views from neighbors
• We heard that there is a concern about the drainage in the fields
August 1, 2024
June 5, 2024
On Thursday, May 30, the Park District hosted a community open house to share schematic design plans for the new recreation facility and site improvements project at West Ridge Park.
We want to extend our thanks to the 20 community members who joined us and provided valuable feedback that will help in the continued development of the design.
If you have any questions and/or comments, please contact [email protected].
On Thursday, May 23, the Park District hosted a meeting with the direct neighbors of West Ridge Park to discuss the new recreation facility and site improvements project, and to review schematic designs.
We want to extend our thanks to the 20+ neighbors who joined us and provided valuable feedback that will help in the continued development of the design.
If you were unable to attend, there will be another community meeting this Thursday, May 30, between 5-7pm. The plans shared at the May meetings will be posted on the website on May 31.
May 29, 2024
May 16, 2024
This week, the Park Board of Commissioners reached consensus on a refined schematic design for a new recreation facility and site improvements at West Ridge Park. The schematic design plans are within the District’s budget and prioritize recreation programs that support community needs and interest. The schematic design for the new recreation facility and site improvements at West Ridge Park will be shared with the community at two upcoming meetings. See above for up-to-date meeting information.
May 16, 2024
April 11, 2024
Park District staff shared a progress update at the April Facility and Recreation Committee meeting on April 10, 2024.
Park Board Commissioners provided feedback and requested additional information from the design consultants. They also asked to postpone the project’s community meetings until this information is provided.
April 11, 2024
March 18, 2024
In March 2024, the Park District of Highland Park began hosting internal stakeholder meetings to collect feedback to influence the schematic designs.
March 18, 2024
January 11, 2024
In January 2024, the Park District of Highland Park was awarded $1.4 million in PARC grant funding from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources
January 11, 2024
June 15, 2023
The Park District of Highland Park submitted a grant application requesting $2.8 million from the Illinois Department of Natural Resource’s Park and Recreational Facilities Construction (PARC) grant program to help fund the New Community Center at West Ridge Park.
June 15, 2023
May 7, 2023
On May 6, 2023, the Park District of Highland Park held a Community Open House to share preliminary concept plans with the community to collect cares and concerns about the proposed project.
May 7, 2023
June 14, 2022
In early 2022, Holabird and Root was hired by the Park District to study options (renovate or build new) for West Ridge Center.
In June, a Preliminary Planning Study was completed for West Ridge, recommending building a new facility on the southeast portion of West Ridge Park, and demolishing the existing building once construction is complete. See the results here.
