We’ve got great news for golfers and everyone who loves to enjoy a delicious meal while watching a gorgeous sunset. Intrigued?

Today is opening day for the brand new restaurant at Sunset Valley Golf Club. If you’re a golfer, you already know that the unique British Heathland design makes it one of the finest, must-play courses in Chicagoland. And now, with the opening of The Clubhouse at Sunset Valley, we are a destination for Highland Park foodies who appreciate enjoying chef-designed meals and obsessively good service, all provided in a unique environment.

The Clubhouse is the latest creation of Relish Catering Kitchen, well-known for its “from scratch” approach to creative cooking. Their innovative, elevated versions of your favorites—juicy burgers, specialty sandwiches, decadent salads—are available for a quick lunch inside or at the bar, and we make sure every golfer gets the attention they deserve at a classic 18-hole course. Beyond the best versions of everything you’d expect to find on the menu, prepare to be surprised by the unexpected—Pulled BBQ Chicken and other seasonal chef specials. Our reputation for extraordinary Club-Level service is now matched by an exceptional dining experience.

What sets this restaurant apart from anything else on the North Shore is the opportunity to dine outdoors, enjoying the dramatic, panoramic views the course affords. Our expansive trellised patio and veranda include comfortable seating and conversation-enhancing fire pits. It’s a relaxing spot for lunch and dinner, and the stunning sunsets are an off-menu extra special treat when sipping your favorite beverage or one of our signature cocktails.

The Clubhouse is also available to book for your special event, another specialty of the experts at Relish. The combination of a custom designed menu and white-glove service always exceeds expectations and garners rave reviews every time. The staff at Sunset Valley is ready to talk to you and walk you through this beautiful venue.

It’s opening day… and you are cordially invited to experience The Clubhouse at Sunset Valley Golf Club. We’ve designed it for your dining pleasure. Let us show you to your table!

The Clubhouse at Sunset Valley Golf Club
Hours:
Mon: 8am-8pm
Tue-Thu: 7am-9pm
Fri-Sat: 6:30am-9pm
Sun: 6:30am-8pm

1390 Sunset Road
Highland Park, IL 60035
(847) 432-7140

At last Friday’s annual Champion’s Celebration, we honored incredible individuals and organizations making a lasting impact in our community. We are thrilled to share more about each of our award recipients—below, you’ll find articles highlighting their inspiring stories.

For more than two decades, Cal Bernstein has been a guiding light at the Park District and in our Highland Park community. This year, it is our great pleasure to present him with the award named for the past Executive Director of the Park District of Highland Park—the Liza McElroy Legacy Award.

25 years ago, Cal was well-known in our recreation department as a great coach of the Park District’s House-League Baseball Teams and the Travel Baseball League. Eric Golmon, long-time Athletic Supervisor for the District, has fond memories of those days. “Cal would always have his dad coach the kids with him. They were huge Cubs fans, and always wanted their teams to be called the Cubs,” Eric said. He continued, “The kids loved Coach Cal, and called his dad Coach Poppi. One of the first things the players learned from Poppi was a chant they used against opposing pitchers. Coach would yell “Cubbies” and the kids would answer “Woo”! So all the pitcher could hear was a constant Cubbies – Woo! Cubbies – Woo! It was great!”

Sports and coaching runs in the family. Poppi introduced Cal to baseball, took him to an infinite number of Cubs games and inspired a love of all things sports. Cal coached both of his sons, Joey and Jason, and they both went on to coach youth baseball leagues at the Park District. It’s a key part of the wonderful Bernstein legacy in Highland Park that has brought joy to so many people in the community.

Golmon thinks one of Coach Cal’s winning teams was called the Devil Rays. “People still talk about that team,” he said, “and everyone knows Jason Goldstein who went on to play at the University of Illinois and was drafted by the Dodgers in the 2015 MLB Amateur Draft.”

Cal’s love of baseball and his love for youth sports in Highland Park are an important part of his legacy at the Park District. Executive Director Brian Romes added, “Cal has always cared deeply about providing the best opportunities for young players in Highland Park.”

As a former member of the City of Highland Park Zoning Board of Appeals and as a charter member of the Highland Park Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), Cal has been dedicated to serving the community for many years. In 2007, Cal was elected to the Board of Park Commissioners, and for the past 18 years he has provided us with his unique insight, forward thinking, and bold leadership. As a Board member and currently as President—serving in that capacity for the very first time this past year—Cal has chaired the Finance Committee and a number of advisory committees. Beginning in October 2017, Cal chaired the Sunset Valley Golf Club Renovation Committee, overseeing the extensive 18-month, $7 million project that made the historic course a must-play destination for golfers. He has played a critical role in the success of the GreenPrint 2024 Master Plan as the Park Board liaison on the project team.

It’s impossible to overstate the importance Cal has had on the growth of the Park District, the programs and events we offer, and the impact his foresight and vision have had on the communities of Highland Park and Highwood.

Liza McElroy came to the Park District of Highland Park in 2009, having been the Executive Director in Winnetka for 28 years. Cal had already been on the Park Board for 18 months, and Liza remembers that among the many important questions Cal posed in her interview were the very direct ones about youth baseball. “Winnetka Park District had a parent-run baseball program,” said Liza, “but Cal was so passionate about the Park District running the house-league program in his community that he made it a point to make sure I was 100% on board with that and wasn’t going to change it. That was my first indication of how important the District’s youth sports programs were to Cal.”

“For Cal, family is first,” Liza said, “but the Cubs are right up there, as are his beloved Wisconsin Badgers! And, there was always equal time given to girls’ sports.” 15 years ago, for girls in middle school sports were not necessarily a priority, “but Cal and the other commissioners made it a goal to increase girls’ participation in sports.” For Cal, that included coaching his daughter Molly in basketball, and going to every one of her figure skating performances.

Girls sports continue to be a powerful force at the Park District, perhaps best exemplified by the Girls Play Strong program, developed by the Recreation Staff and championed by Cal, which is now one of the premier summer sports camps for girls in Illinois.

“When I think about Cal,” said Liza, “I think about how much he loves this community. He and our other Commissioners always put their personal goals aside and do what’s best for the community, for the kids and their families. That’s why his accomplishments will last. Because they made the community better.”

That goes well beyond sports, and deep into the long-term strategies that Cal brought to the Board. In 2013 the District had a Capital Plan. It was a good plan. But it wasn’t a Comprehensive Master Plan. Cal was the biggest advocate for that and he was involved from start to finish. Liza made it clear, “that Comprehensive Plan is one of our most important documents, and one of the main reasons the Park District continues to be successful year after year.”

Brian Romes added, “Cal has high expectations and always shows his appreciation for the hard work the Park District staff does. He often asks tough questions, but they are the right questions, and that’s the mark of a great leader.”

Those of us who know Cal, have worked with him and have watched him shape the Park District he loves, will understand what Liza thought when what was then called The Legacy Award was first developed during her time as Executive Director. “I remember thinking that one day Cal is truly the person who should be given this honor.”

All of us at the Park District could not agree more, and we’re so happy to be able to celebrate Cal Bernstein with the now appropriately named Liza McElroy Legacy Award. He is a true Champion.

De Padre a Estudiante at Highland Park High School is our 2025 Community Partner Award winner!

Family is a powerful force. The families who make up De Padre a Estudiante in Highland Park and Highwood work tirelessly to educate our communities, build bridges connecting cultures, create long-lasting relationships with people and organizations, and perhaps most importantly ensure that their children—students at Highland Park High School—can navigate the path to success in high school and college. That path is often filled with obstacles for parents whose own educational experiences in other countries do not match the requirements their students are expected to meet, making it harder to provide the basic knowledge of how things work in the high school system—things we take for granted having grown up here and come through that system—so they can support their kids during a critical time in their education.

Luisa Espinosa-Lara is the School Community Liaison at Highland Park High School. She, too, is a powerful force and a guiding light for families in Highland Park and Highwood. Since its inception in 2014, the goal of the De Padre a Estudiante program at HPHS has been to provide a social-emotional program for Latino parents. Luisa has been leading the group for the last 3 years. Parents have weekly 2-hour meetings at the high school, they bring in speakers for workshops, and host a book club. Hispanos Unidos provides babysitting for the parents who come to De Padre a Estudiante. The group members go on field trips to important cultural institutions across Chicagoland and attend state-wide conferences. They educate themselves so they can educate their students and other families. All are welcome, and everyone is better because of their efforts. Their story, their goal, and their importance to families in Highland Park and Highwood is much, much bigger than what we’re presenting here. These are kind, generous people. They are people in your community you should get to know.

Social media is an important communications tool for the group. Their Facebook page, HPPS de padre a estudiante is run by Luisa. It has 367 followers and provides a wealth of information, in Spanish and English, so parents can help their students be successful in high school.

De Padre a Estudiante, and Luisa, have connected with the Park District in deep and meaningful ways, bringing Latin culture to our programs and events, and bringing together people from up and down the north shore and the surrounding suburbs. The parents say that De Padre a Estudiante is their voice in the high school. Their voices are now heard across the Park District at the annual Día de los Muertos celebration, in our Spanish Immersion Summer Camp, and so many other programs and events. They bring joy to all of us at the Park District, and we’re grateful for that.

Luisa has also had a significant and long-lasting impact on the Latino community through her work on the Parks Foundation of Highland Park’s Board of Directors. Scholarship funds raised by the Foundation allow Highland Park/Highwood residents of all ages to enjoy the Park District’s athletic and recreational programs and summer camps. Of particular importance, the FYI Learn-to-Swim programs are available for qualifying Highwood families and cover 50% of the fees.

It is with great pleasure, and sincere humility, that we celebrate De Padre a Estudiante at Highland Park High School as our Community Partner for 2025.

Highland Park Bank & Trust is our Community Business Partner of the Year!

When bank president, Jon Levey, took the helm of Highland Park Bank & Trust, our local Wintrust Community Bank, 10 years ago, one of the first decisions he made was to engage with the Park District as our premier corporate sponsor.  As a result, Levey increased the Bank’s commitment to the District and Highland Park Bank & Trust became our first corporate champion. That support has been critical to the success of many programs and events we offer. We are profoundly grateful to Jon, the Bank and Wintrust  for their continued efforts on our behalf.

Jon said, “A healthy, thriving community almost always has as one of its anchors a really successful, healthy, and thriving Park District. The facilities and programs that the Park District provides are absolutely integral to the fabric—the quilt as it were—that is our community.”  As Parks & Recreation professionals, that’s our goal every day. Having a business partner as committed to the community as we are makes us a better District.

Personally, Jon has been intensely involved in all things Highland Park since moving here almost 25 years ago. “One of the main reasons we chose our house was because it backs up to the largest park, where our whole family could take advantage of being able to walk to the playground, use the courts, and enjoy the open space.” His son and daughter, now adults, were what we like to call Park District Kids,  participating in a wide variety of the sports programs at the District. 

Many of you know Jon because he has always been a strong proponent of community service. He is active in many Highland Park and Highwood community groups and organizations, including serving on the Board of the Highland Park Community Foundation— where Jon serves as Secretary of the Governing Board and chairs the Investment Committee—as well as serving on the advisory board for Community Partners for Affordable Housing, the board of the Anti-Defamation League Midwest, previously serving on the Steering Committee for Highland Park’s 150th Anniversary in 2019, as well as many other community and non-profit boards and committees. We appreciate that his dedication to the community has forged this important business alliance between the bank and the Park District.

“The dedicated Park District staff has done a tremendous job building first-class facilities that our community is proud of,” said Jon. “When you think of Highland Park, you think of the beaches, the tennis and pickleball courts, the multiple parks, green spaces, and walking paths, the sports programs for kids, the workout facilities for adults, our world-class public golf course—and that’s why the community is so connected to the Park District.”

We deeply appreciate those kind words, and we are proud to celebrate Jon Levey, Highland Park Bank & Trust, and Wintrust as our Community Business Partner of the Year!

Our 2025 Coach of the Year is Tyler Jacobs!

The Park District’s travel baseball program is one of our best. It’s uniquely important to young players who truly love the sport. If you’re the parent of a ballplayer who is passionate about the game, Tyler is the guy you want coaching your kid.

Tyler is a Highland Park native. Like so many of you, he grew up in the parks. He played Baker Ball, coached by the great Marv Baker, and started playing travel baseball on the Park District team when he was 9 years old. Tyler said, “I had a bunch of great coaches when I was playing baseball, but one named Chris took an interest in our team and had a really big influence on me.” That’s all it takes. One great coach can change a kid’s life, and now that’s what Tyler is doing for the ballplayers on his travel baseball teams.

Troy Hoffman, one of our Athletic Supervisors, said Tyler has been working at the  Park District since he was about 16 years old, as a camp counselor and a coach. Tyler added, “I pretty much worked everything at the Park District, from flag football to Jr. Varsity Sports Camp and Varsity Camp — I’ve touched it all.” He also played varsity ball in high school and is a 2023 graduate of the Fisher College of Business at The Ohio State University.

Hoffman had some other things to say about Tyler that will give you an idea of why he is so deserving of this award. “He’s an incredibly dedicated, selfless coach who invests 110% of himself in the program. He’s always at the ballfield early, and he’s always the last one to leave. Tyler is driven to get the most out of his players, in the best possible way. He has a great way of being intense, of showing a player what he needs to do, and it just works. It’s hard to describe, but fun to watch. When it comes to being a coach, he’s excellent at it.”

In summer 2024, Tyler coached the Highland Park 13U White team. In the fall, he started coaching the 10U Blue team. And yes, his players are passionate about the game. Because that’s what they see in their leader.

Tyler said, “My favorite part of coaching is demonstrating a strong work ethic and being a role model for the players.” And then he adds, “I try to make them better humans, as well.” That’s why you want Tyler Jacobs coaching your kids.

It gives us great pleasure to celebrate Tyler Jacobs as our Coach of the Year!

Elliot Richardson is an important part of our successful sports programs here at the Park District, and we are so pleased to honor him with the award as our Volunteer Coach of the Year!

Elliot is originally from Morton Grove, and he and his family have lived on the Northshore for more than 15 years. He first got involved in coaching youth sports to spend time with his kids as they were growing up. Elliot coached baseball, coached his younger son in football for many years, and his daughter in the Highland Park girls’ feeder basketball program. Being a part of their lives on the football and baseball fields, and on the basketball courts, has been very meaningful to Elliot.

The summer of 2024 was a critical juncture for the Highland Park Youth Football program. It was relaunching its own program after participating in a Co-op program with Deerfield.  Elliot’s experience with youth sports programs has been essential to the success of that revitalization. “There are so many dedicated people at the Park District, on the high school coaching staff, at the Giants Football fund, and throughout the community who worked very hard to restart the Highland Park youth football program. I was just happy to be a part of it.” That’s a typically humble statement, but we know we could not have done it without him. Troy Hoffman, Athletic Supervisor at the Park District, has known and worked alongside Elliot since 2018. Troy said, “Elliot has been a great advisor for me personally, and especially for the athletic staff at the Park District. He really understands the dynamics of youth football.”

Why coach youth sports? “I really enjoy teaching and motivating kids and showing them how to be part of a team,” Elliot said. “It’s about bringing our youth athletes together, creating a positive environment, and helping them grow as players and teammates.” We couldn’t agree more. It’s what great coaches do. It’s what Elliot does for the kids in our sports programs. He continued, “I have also found families to be engaged and encouraging, which is so important to a young athlete’s success. We work to create a strong community.”

All of us at the Park District are grateful to have Elliot as part of our team. His knowledge, his energy, and his commitment to our youth sports programs make us a better Park District, and he’s been a wonderful, positive influence on young athletes in our community.

We are proud to celebrate our friend Elliot Richardson as Volunteer Coach of the Year!

Before heading out to your favorite Park District of Highland Park facility on Labor Day weekend, check out our hours!

The existing stairs leading to the Moraine Beach boardwalk are scheduled for repair beginning late fall.

The boat ramp is now open! Power Boats and PWCs can now launch at Park Avenue. Construction fencing has been relocated and traffic can now resume on the east side of the water plant. Use of the west side road is no longer needed. 

Please keep in mind, there will still be work occurring and construction equipment will remain on site. The breakwater is fenced off and access is not allowed at this time. Additionally, some areas will require temporary closures for construction, in which case we will send out an email update.

We will continue to send regular project updates until completion to inform facility users. Our goal is to provide all users with a safe, welcoming, and extraordinary experience. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please get in touch with Debbie Pierce at 847.579.4047 or Kari Acevedo at 847.579.4051. 

About the Project

High lake levels accompanied by intense storms over the past few years caused damage to the breakwater wall/barge and concrete ramp at Park Avenue Boating Beach. These extreme weather conditions have affected communities all along the Illinois Lake Michigan shoreline.  

At the April 27 meeting, the Park Board approved construction of Phase 1 of the Park Avenue Breakwater Project in the amount of $2,221,890. The base scope of this project includes removal of the existing barge breakwater and boat ramp, stockpiling and salvaging existing breakwater fill and armor stone, construction of a new steel sheet pile breakwater with a concrete crown wall and construction of a new concrete boat launch.   Funding for the project includes $2,000,000 from the Park District’s capital fund and $400,000 from the Parks Foundation of Highland Park, made possible from community donations

The lobby is open and landscaping is nearly complete. There are a few remaining elements that need to be installed including the replacement of the temporary vestibule glass with the bird-safe glass. A ceremonial grand opening celebration is tentatively scheduled for the Fall.

Renovation of the facility includes an improved drop-off area, parking lots, lobby, multi-purpose room, locker rooms, office space, and restrooms. This renovation project was included in the Park District’s 2024 GreenPrint 10-year master plan and was scheduled to begin in 2020.  It was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

During regular annual maintenance in June, staff uncovered an unknown issue on the Centennial rink floor. The Park District acted swiftly to conduct an exhaustive investigation of the facility and ice flooring system with an engineering firm. The findings confirmed that the building is structurally sound. However, the rink floor had been compromised and requires complete replacement.

The Park District is partnering with Fill a Heart 4 Kids to help local homeless and at-risk youth stay nourished through the Thanksgiving school break. Food donations will be accepted Tuesday, Nov 1- Sunday, Nov 13 at the following locations :

Items Needed:

Mon Nov 14 • 1-6:30pm
West Ridge Center • 636 Ridge Rd.
Multiple time slots available

September 14: Workshop Meeting of the Park Board

The Park Board of Commissioners approved Ordinance 2022-05: Authorizing and Providing for the Conveyance or Sale of Surplus Personal Property and the First Amendment to the Centennial Ice Arena Locker Room License Agreement.

Staff provided construction updates for the Park Avenue Breakwater and Boat Ramp project, the Moraine Path Improvement project, the Centennial Ice Arena Renovation and Site Improvements project, the Millard Bluff Grading and Tree Removal project, the Fink Park Athletic Field Development project, and the Old Elm Trail Connection Feasibility Study.

Staff recommended elements from the approved Sunset Woods Master Plan for the Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) grant program administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. The competitive grant program provides up to 50% funding support to develop public outdoor recreation areas. This year $56M is available through the grant program, and the maximum individual award is $600,000. The application is due on September 30, 2022.

The Park District is working with a third-party consultant GovHRUSA to conduct an employee Compensation and Classification Study to attract and retain a productive workforce. Simultaneously, the Park District is redefining our Values to create a clear focus on what drives day-to-day decision-making, inspires leadership, and holds our organization, teams, and individuals accountable. The desired outcome of redefining Park District Values is a relentless focus on values-driven leadership, values-driven culture, and values-driven strategic initiatives that are simple, compelling, and aligned with our Mission (why we exist) and our Vision (what we aspire to do).

Lastly, staff reviewed the 2023 Proposed Budget Timeline.

September 28: Regular Meeting of the Park Board

The Park Board of Commissioners approved the Athletic Fields Capital Campaign Project Change Order Agreement for the Non-Profit Coach consulting services, the base bid proposal, and alternates 1 and 2 from RES Environmental Operating Company, LLC in the amount of $319,300 for the 2022-2023 Millard Bluff Grading and Tree Removal project, and the OSLAD Grant Resolution Authorization, allowing the Park District of Highland Park to apply for funding assistance to implement the Sunset Woods Master Plan.

Staff provided an update on pickleball operations and recommendations to expand outdoor opportunities.

September 29: Policy Committee Meeting

The Policy Committee conducted an exercise to root the proposed redefined values into the District’s operational framework.

Join Us for our First Día de los Muertos Celebration!

Sat., Nov 5 • 1–4pm
West Ridge Center • 636 Ridge Road
(Event was originally located at The Preserve of Highland Park but will be held at West Ridge Center due to weather)

FREE Event! Honoring Our Past, Celebrating Our Future, and Bridging Our Communities!

• Come in costume or come as you are.
• Play games.
• Enjoy Mexican music and dancing.

And help start a Highland Park – Highwood tradition!

Lots of delicious food from a variety of vendors will be available to purchase. We will have a community ofrenda/altar; if you wish to have a picture on our altar, please bring a photo with you or contact Jessica Reyes at [email protected]. We look forward to celebrating with all of you!

The roots of Día de los Muertos, the Day of the Dead, go back more than 3,000 years in Europe, Spain, and to the Aztecs who lived in rural, indigenous areas of what is now central Mexico. In Europe, celebrations of the harvest took place in the fall, and the rituals were adopted as part of two Roman Catholic holidays—All Saints Day and All Souls Day—celebrated on the first two days of November. The cycle of life and death are entwined with the annual cycle of crops that grow from the ground where the remnants of the last harvest have been turned under and nurture the soil.
 
On Día de los Muertos, the border separating the real world from the spirit world dissolves, and the souls of the dead awaken, returning to eat and drink, dance, and play music with their family and friends. The living honor the deceased as guests in the celebrations. They prepare their favorite foods and leave them as offerings on the ofrendas (alters) built in their homes, as well as at gravesites. Ofrendas are decorated with candles to light the path back to the living. Brightly colored marigolds—called cempasuchil—are spread on the alter to guide the souls with their enticing fragrance. You should wish someone a happy day by saying, “Feliz día de los Muertos.”

1. El Día de los Muertos is not, as is commonly thought, a Mexican version of Halloween although the holidays do share traditions, including wearing costumes and marching in parades.

2. Calaveras, or skulls, are a unique symbol of Día de los Muertos. Elaborately decorated ceramic and papier-mâché skulls are worn throughout the festivities. Sugar skulls that are decorated with colored icing, (and often feathers and foil) are placed on offrendas. Simple sugar skulls, with just icing, are eaten and enjoyed by children of all ages. The famous La Calavera Cantina (the Elegant Skull) was created as a political statement by Mexican printmaker Jose Guadalupe Posada in 1910. Her fancy dress and hat, along with her white makeup, have been an integral part of the holiday ever since.

3. The ofrenda has always been an important part of the celebration, and today the alter is perhaps the most recognized symbol of Día de los Muertos. It is a way for families to honor their loved ones and provide them what they need on their journey from the spirit world. An ofrenda must include the four elements: Earth, Wind, Fire and Water. Bread is used to represent Earth. Wind is represented by traditional paper banners, called Papel picado. Candles light the way and can be placed in the form of a cross, which indicates the cardinal directions. Water is often presented in a pitcher, so the spirits can quench their thirst. if you wish to have a picture on our altar, please bring a photo with you or contact Jessica Reyes at [email protected].

4. Monarch butterflies play a unique role in celebrations of Día de los Muertos because they hold the spirits of the departed. This lovely thought is tied to the arrival of the first monarchs in Mexico each fall, at the start of the holiday on Nov. 1.

5. The Día de los Muertos celebration spans two days: All Saints Day, Nov. 1, is the day to remember children who have passed. All Soul’s Day, Nov. 2, is the day when we honor adults.

6. Dessert! It’s what so many people look forward to during the celebrations. Pastries and sweets are central to the holiday, and one of the most loved is Pan de Muertos, a sweet, delicious bread, coated in sugar, and decorated to look like a pile of bones.

7. Día de los Muertos is not a somber occasion… it’s a joyous holiday and a celebration of life! It’s bright and colorful, with parties, music, dancing, and decorations everywhere you look. Classic Mexican traditions include calaveritas (short, humorous poems) that are a clever way to talk about, and poke fun at, difficult topics—like the Grim Reaper!

The Fitness Club at the Rec Center offers amazing group fitness classes if you prefer to workout with a group, one-on-one personal training for individual coaching, and the best of cardiovascular and strength equipment to help you feel better and be better! After a busy summer, fall is the time to focus on you. We are here to help you get stronger and improve your health so you can experience life to the fullest. Are YOU ready to get fit, have fun, and get happy? Take a look at these one-of-a-kind fitness offerings:

Start your day in the most breathtaking way – with a Yoga class at Rosewood Beach! Classes are held year-round on the boardwalk and in the Interpretive Center, where the wooded bluffs and soothing sounds of Lake Michigan add their special je ne sais quoi to each session. Yoga has significant proven health benefits, including back pain relief; reduced stress; increased energy; and improving your overall strength, balance and flexibility. Sign up today!

Indoor cycling has never been this rewarding – or this much fun! The Rec Center has 21 Stages Premier SC3 Cycling bikes that engage each rider with a personalized, immersive, interactive experience via the Stages Studio Plus display. Our instructors are dedicated to your success and are pros at keeping you motivated and moving toward your individual fitness goal. Get started with Group Exercise Classes.

Here’s a pro fitness tip: We make it easy for you to try everything in the Rec Center with a two-week Trial Membership. Interested? Come into the Rec Center to get started today!

Getting into the swim of things – Every summer, Open Water Swim in Lake Michigan, at Rosewood Beach, is one of our most popular programs. Once you try it, you’ll know why! Read about it here. With the change of season and the closing of our outdoor pools, now is the perfect time to add indoor lap swimming to your fitness routine. The 6-lane, 25-yard pool provides Rec Center members with open swim/lap swim times every day, to make it easier for you to set a consistent schedule. Wondering about lap swimming as exercise? It’s easy on the joints and it has a meditative quality because you focus on your movement and breathing. Here are a few more of the benefits you can expect from swimming laps:

• Improves endurance and cardiovascular health
• Helps lower blood pressure
• Increases flexibility
• Helps reduce stress

Change it up and move your fitness routine outdoors! – Because the Rec Center is located at our newest park, The Preserve of Highland Park, you can take easily advantage of the walking & biking trails and the woodlands & gardens throughout this unique 100+ acre green space.

Fun Fit Events – Staying fit is important all year, and we have extra special happenings every season to help keep you motivated! The popular Twisted Turkey Triathlon in November is a non-competitive event where everyone is welcome, everyone wins— and every participant gets a T-shirt! It features 10 minutes of swimming, a 20-minute Run/Walk, and 40 minutes of Indoor Cycling, plus lots of great drawing prizes. Now’s the time to start training for this fun community event, where we all get Calories Out before putting Calories In during the holidays. Learn more and sign up today!

A word about Fitness Memberships: Affordable.

Our Annual Memberships and Short-Term Passes give you options to meet YOUR needs for creating a workout plan that fits your schedule, your budget, and your goals for getting and staying healthy. Try a variety of classes and equipment with a Day Access, Week Pass, or 10-Punch Pass before you commit to an Annual Membership. Read all about them here, then give us a call and take a tour of the Rec Center with our friendly, knowledgeable staff. See you soon!