Moraine Park

This park is designated a natural area.

History
In 1892 the Hotel Moraine first opened its door to guests on a 15-acre lake front site. The hotel consisted of three large Georgian style buildings containing 200 rooms. The grounds once sported a swimming pool, stone bridge crossing the ravine and beautiful gardens. The hotel closed in May of 1970. A few remnants of the structures and the gardens can be found on the property. There were plans to build a 35-story apartment building on the site before the City of Highland Park bought the property and made it into a public park. The City deeded the property to the Park District in 1998. Plans are now under way to create a formal sculpture park at this site.

Dog Beach
A portion of the Moraine Beach is designated as a fenced, off-leash exercise beach for dogs, April 1 through October 31. A picture permit card is required to exercise dogs in this area. New participants can register at Heller Nature Center, 2821 Ridge Road, during regular business hours. Owners are solely responsible for their dogs and must clean up after their dogs.

Features, Amenities and Activities

• Dog exercise area, off-leash, permit required
• Historic interest
• Parking
• Picnic areas
• Restrooms
• Wildlife includes white-tailed deer, fish and shore birds

Fees

Dog Beach Permit Card
Resident Fee
$40/each dog and current City of Highland Park dog tag

Nonresident Fee
$140 each dog and current Lake County rabies vaccination paperwork

Policies

Dog Beach Permit Card
A Park District of Highland Park Dog Permit Card is required to exercise your dog in the assigned areas at Moraine Beach and the Highland Park Golf Learning Center.  To receive a permit card, bring your canine friend, along with your city tag license number and rabies tag to Heller Nature Center, 2821 Ridge Road, Highland Park, IL. Heller can be reached at 847.433.6901 or heller@pdhp.org. Their business hours are Mon-Fri, 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. and Sat., 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Dog permits are valid from April 1 through March 31.  For example, if you apply for your permit card in December 2009, the card is good through March 31, 2010. You must renew your card for the next season.

Rules and Regulations

Dog Beach Rules

• Hours are dawn to Dusk
• Dogs must be on leash and under control to and from the area
• Owners must clean up after their dogs
• Owners are solely responsible for their dogs
• Dogs not under control or uncooperative may have their card revoked with no refund
• Violation of rules or ordinances will result in loss of privileges with no refund and fines up to $500
• Presentation of your permit card is required and is not transferable
• A replacement fee will be charged for lost cards
• Dogs are allowed off-leash only in the designated fenced enclosure