This summer, travel the globe without leaving your neighborhood! Pop Up in the Park is a free, vibrant series that brings the world to your local park, celebrating the beauty of diverse cultures through music, dance, crafts, and hands-on activities. Each event offers a unique experience, inviting you to explore different traditions and creative expressions from around the world. Whether you’re swaying to international rhythms, creating global-inspired art, or learning new dances, there’s something for everyone. Gather with friends and family for a series of fun, multicultural adventures that celebrate the spirit of community, creativity, and connection!

Poland

Tuesday, June 10 • 4-5pm

Explore Poland: Music, crafting and history with more

All Ages

Location: Lincoln Park (1280 Green Bay Road)

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Brazil

Friday, June 20 • 6-7pm

Explore Brazil: Interactive demonstration by Axe Capoeira and crafts

All Ages

Location: Danny Cunniff Park (2700 Trail Way)

NYC Broadway

Thursday, July 10 • 4-10pm

Explore NYC Broadway: Ravinia district food truck Thursday, showing off Hairspray

All Ages

Location: Jens Jensen Park (486 Roger Williams Ave)

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New Orleans

Sunday, July 27 • 2-3:30pm

Explore New Orleans: New Orleans-style jazz band

All Ages

Location: Larry Fink Memorial Park (1377 Clavey Road)

Learn More

Native American

Wednesday, August 6 • 4-5pm

Explore Native American Culture: Music, crafting and history with Le’Ana Asher

All Ages

Location: Moraine Park (2501 Sheridan Road)

Nordic

Saturday, August 16 • 11-12pm

Explore Nordic Culture: Music, crafts, face painting and a visit with Elsa and Anna from Frozen

All Ages

Location: The Preserve of Highland Park (1207 Park Ave West)

Polynesian

Friday, September 5 • 6:30-10pm

Explore Polynesian Culture : Performance by Barefoot Hawaiians, Da Local Boy Food Truck, showing of Lilo and Stitch

All Ages

Location: Sunset Woods Park (1801 Sunset Road)

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.

May is National Bike Safety Month, and there’s no better time to dust off your bike, strap on your helmet, and hit the road safely. Whether you’re riding for fun, commuting to work, or just cruising through your neighborhood, practicing good bike safety is key to making every ride a great one.

Why Bike Safety Matters

Biking is a fun, healthy, and eco-friendly way to get around but it’s important to remember that cyclists are more vulnerable on the road. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), most bike-related injuries can be prevented with just a few simple precautions.

Top Tips for a Safer Ride

1. Wear Your Helmet. Every Time.
   • A helmet can reduce the risk of head injury by up to 85%. Make sure it fits snugly and sits level on your head
2. Be Seen and Be Predictable
   • Wear bright or reflective clothing and use bike lights, especially if riding at dusk or dawn. Always signal your turns and ride in a straight line.
3. Obey the Rules of the Road
   • Bikes are considered vehicles so stop at stop signs, obey traffic signals, and ride in the same direction as traffic.
4. Stay Alert
   • Keep an eye out for potholes, parked car doors, pedestrians, and turning vehicles. Avoid headphones so you can hear what’s going on around you.
5. Check Your Gear
   • Before every ride, do a quick safety check: tires inflated, brakes working, chain moving smoothly.

As part of our series of articles for this year’s National Recreation & Park Association theme “Where You Belong”, we had an inspiring conversation with Lesley Haycock about her busy summer of family fun at the Park District.

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Lesley Haycock is busy this summer. When we caught up with her it was the first day of Park District Camps for two of her three daughters: Skyler who is 5½ and Riley, who is 3½. Zoey, the oldest at 8½, is going to Discovery Day Camp this year. That’s just the beginning of the busy summer season for the whole family. “We like to take advantage of so many great things the Park District offers,” said Lesley. 

On any given day, that includes spending time at Rosewood Beach, “We always get Beach Passes.” Her number one tip: “Arrive early if you want a parking spot!” Yes, we hear that a lot. “We also get our annual pass for the pool, because we’re there almost every weekend.” We hear that a lot too, and it’s why belonging to Hidden Creek AquaPark is such a great way to connect with friends and meet new families. 

ParkSchool was the focus of our conversation, because Skyler just graduated from Mighty Oaks, and Riley will be a Sapling this fall. “Then she’ll move up and be a Mighty Oak the next year.” Why ParkSchool? “We had heard such great things about it from the community—not a bad word from anyone. They raved about the teachers, and one of the things I really liked was the small class size, so we knew our kids would get the attention they needed to be ready for Kindergarten.” Lesley added, “I know you’ve heard it before, but Miss Ginny is amazing! Miss Samia is following in her footsteps, and she’s just as amazing, so I feel excited, and confident, and comforted that kids will have her moving forward.” 

In case you have not heard, our Miss Ginny retired in June. We have a story about her on our website. 

Everything grows at ParkSchool. “We’ve done lots of the afterschool Enrichment programs at West Ridge,” Lesley said. “The KidoKinetics class is wonderful because it exposes them to so many different sports. I think the first day they played Lacrosse”—she laughed—”which is something I never would have taught my 3½ year old. It was awesome!” That’s one of the most important things about growing up in Park District programs. Beginners get the attention they need in order to love what they’re learning. “We’ve done Clay Play, and the girls love the weekly mini-camps that happen between the end of school and the start of summer camps. “We’re going to do those again in August.” Zoey did the Sewing and Fashion design camp, “which was fabulous.” “She really wanted to learn to run a sewing machine, and these are the only classes for kids in the area. There was a fashion show at the end, and she loved it!” We see Project Runway in your future, Zoey. “I was able to drop Skyler off at the same location for her cooking class. The times line up and that makes it so convenient.” We try hard to make that happen for parents year-round, and we’re happy that it’s working. 

Zoey also wants to learn to play chess (watch out world), and this August will be in our Chess Camp. “I don’t know where that came from,” laughed Lesley, “and it’s so great that the Park District teaches my kids things that I can’t!” “She also took Fencing in the spring, which is another thing that’s hard to find for young kids.” Fashion, Fencing, and Chess. You won’t find that combination for an 8½ year old anywhere but here. Zoey is truly the epitome of what we call a park district kid. 

Lesley offered the perfect description of what we’re all about: “It really is a place to try out so many different things, when you’re little, and see what you’re passionate about.” We loved hearing that.

Connections? “Skyler made some really close friends in her ParkSchool class. They would have play dates every few weeks, and one of them is going to Kindergarten with her in the fall, so I’m thrilled that she’ll have a buddy there.” “It’s really important for us to meet and know people in the community. In fact, we switched Zoey from gymnastics in Lake Forest to the Highland Park Gymnastics Pre-Team for the sole reason of meeting kids from the area. It’s that important.” “And I get together with the other moms. We’ve been out to dinner and had barbeques—so the connections through our kids are strong.” 

We love the stories Lesley told us. They are about belonging, connecting, and caring about the community. We’re proud to be a part of those stories, and we work hard every day to stay connected to all of you.

If you have a story or two that you’d like to share, let us know. Until then, you can find all of our summer programs, activities, and events 24/7 at PDHP.org. 

See you around the parks!