April 2: Master Planning Committee Meeting

Staff reviewed the master plan scope and draft timeline for the new GreenPrint Master Plan. The updated master plan will involve robust community engagement, a fresh analysis of parks and recreation assets, and a clear roadmap for future investments—ensuring that Highland Park’s facilities, parks, and programs continue to serve residents for years to come.

April 3: Finance Committee Meeting

Staff compared budgeted vs actual expenses and revenues raised for Club Pickle and Padel. Staff reviewed cost-saving options and recommend increasing the capital budget transfer to keep the project within budget. 

Staff reviewed the actual revenues and expenses for the 2024 cost centers.

April 9: Workshop Meeting of the Park Board

WT Group completed the District’s ADA Transition Plan which identifies physical barriers at parks and facilities and a program and policy review that offers recommendations to improve accessibility to the District’s programs. Representatives from WT Group provided an overview of the ADA Transition Plan and programming recommendations. 

At the April 05, 2025, Egg Hunts, staff and representatives from the Lakota Group, were taking public input regarding the master plan. Additional in-person public input opportunities will be available and a community survey will be released in May. 

Staff and Park Board Policy liaisons reviewed policies 1.00 – 1.04 (chapter 1: Introduction) and 2.00 – 2.08 (chapter 2: Board and Administration) from the Park District Policy Manual.  

The Park Board approved Ordinance 2025-06 to Rename the Recreation Center of Highland Park to Park Fitness.   

The Park Board approved the total base bid from Element Contracting, LLC for the 2025 Centennial Ice Arena Roof Top Unit Replacement authorizing the Executive Director to enter into an agreement in the amount of $45,446.68.

Staff would like to enter into a reciprocal agreement with the Glencoe Park District. Staff reviewed the proposed terms. 

Staff provided construction project updates for the New Facility and Site Improvements at West Ridge Park, Club Pickle and Padel project, Park Avenue South Boat Storage Restoration project, Park Avenue Boating Facility North Beach Improvements project, Old Elm Playground Renovation project, Sunset Woods Park Improvements project, Larry Fink Park Tot Lot Renovation project, and Lincoln Park Improvements project.

April 15: Finance Committee Meeting

Several maintenance vehicles and equipment have met their useful lives and need to be replaced. Staff reviewed the recommended vehicle purchases and necessary facility infrastructure upgrades to support electric vehicles. 

Natural gas at all Park District facilities and additional natural gas meters is currently brokered via AUS (Alternative Utility Services, Inc.), except for the shared meter at HPCC. Approval to participate in the bidding process must take place prior to knowing the awarded supplier and associated rates. Staff reviewed the resolution authorizing the Executive Director to purchase natural gas for the District from Alternative Utility Service for a period of up to 36 months (about 3 years).

Staff reviewed the bid results and provided contract recommendations for the 2025 Recreation Center of Highland Park Landscape Installation bid and the 2025 Rosewood Park Playground Renovation bid. 

April 23: Policy Committee Meeting

Staff reviewed a summary of proposed policy changes to policies 1.00 – 1.04 and 2.00 – 2.08. Staff reviewed Ordinance 2025-05 establishing a schedule for declaring park board vacancy based on absences to support policy 2.01 Organization and Operation of the Board of Park Commissioners. 

April 23: Regular Meeting of the Park Board

The Park Board approved the Base Bid from D and J Landscaping, Inc. for the 2025 Rosewood Park Playground Renovation and authorized the Executive Director to enter into an agreement in the amount of $232,418.50, the 2025 Recreation Center of Highland Park Landscape Installation bid, Resolution 2025-03: Authorizing the Purchase of Natural Gas for Park District Facilities and Meters and Authorizing the Executive Director to Approve a Contract with the Lowest Cost Natural Gas Provider for a Period up to 36 Months, authorized the Executive Director to purchase three Ford F150 Lightning 4wd pickup trucks from Currie Motors in the amount of $163,887, the changes made to policies 1.00 – 1.04 and 2.00 – 2.08 to the Policy Manual, Ordinance 2025-05 an Ordinance Fixing the Length of Time a Park Commissioner may Fail to Attend Meetings of the Park Board in Order for such Commissioner’s Office to be Declared Vacant and Providing a Procedure for Declaring such a Vacancy with the proposed amendment. 

Staff provided an annual report on Athletic Programming comparing budgeted vs actual programming, league, and camp enrollments and revenues and expenses.