The Park District of Highland Park has joined the City of Highland Park’s commitment to protect monarch butterflies by taking the Illinois Monarch Project Pledge to plant and protect monarch habitat in our community.   This step aligns with the Park District’s mission to enhance community life with an appreciation of the natural world and our vision of inspiring environmental stewardship and education. 

Over the past 20 years, the iconic Monarch Butterfly has faced a significant decline in habitat, specifically milkweed plants they require for breeding and nourishment during migration. In response, a new statewide initiative, the Illinois Monarch Project, was formed to protect and enhance existing habitat and help establish new habitat that supports monarchs and other pollinators.

The goal of the 15-year project is to plant 150 million new milkweed stems in the state of Illinois by 2038. What does that look like? Each person in the state of Illinois plants 12 stems or four milkweed plants per acre in the entire state.

As part of its pledge, the Park District is creating educational and interactive programming to engage the community on how to create sustainable pollinator habitats.

• Join us on Saturday, May 1, from 9 – 11 am at the downtown train station parking lot located at 1700 St Johns Ave.,  for the City of Highland Park Arbor Day Celebration to receive a milkweed plant for your backyard.  Please note: for the safety of our residents, the celebration will be a drive-thru event. 
• The Park District’s Natural Areas Program along with volunteers will create Monarch Waystations for migrating butterflies in several of our parks.   Signage at the waystations will provide additional information on the significance of the waystations to the butterflies migration.   
• Staff, contractors and volunteers will continue to maintain existing habitat for monarchs and all our native pollinators including more than 50 acres of native plantings at The Preserve of Highland Park.

Get Involved

• Volunteer at Chicago River Day on Saturday, May 8 from 9 – 11 am at The Preserve of Highland Park to plant milkweed.
• Check this website for future pollinator planting events at The Preserve.
• Create a monarch waystation in your own backyard.
• Take the Illinois Monarch Project Pledge.

Planting Milkweed 

Plants native to our region such as Common and Swamp Milkweed are well adapted to our soil and climate. Select a planting location based on the guidelines below:

Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca):
• Full sun
• Average to moist soil
• Height= 3-6 feet
• Purple or white spherical umbel flowers bloom June-August

Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata):
• Part to full sun
• Average to moist soil
• Height= 3-4 feet
• Pink flowers bloom June- August

How to plant:
1. Select a suitable site based on the growing conditions described above.
2. Dig a hole that is wider than the root ball size but not any deeper.
3. Carefully remove the plug from the container. It is best to push the root ball out from the bottom of the container and not pull on the top growth of the plant.
4. If roots appear to be tightly bound together, gently loosen the roots with your fingers.
5. Place the plant in the hole.
6. Fill in the hole around the plant with the removed soil. Compost can be added to enrich the soil.
7. Water thoroughly after planting.
8. Water regularly until plant has become established.

With the warm Spring weather, progress is being made at The Preserve of Highland Park.  Grading and initial planting around the North Pond shoreline are complete. Work has begun on the Connector Trail that will link The Preserve property on both sides of the Skokie River. Overlooks for the North Pond and Gateway Path (on the west side of the river) have been manufactured (off-site) and will be delivered for installation soon.  Stay tuned for more updates as construction continues!

Located adjacent to the Recreation Center of Highland Park (1207 Park Ave W), this 100-acre property is being transformed into a one-of-a-kind natural area for passive recreation.  When completed, The Preserve will include green lawns, natural play areas, nature gardens, restored woodlands, and walking and biking trails that connect neighborhoods, downtown Highland Park, and regional biking trails.   

Funding for The Preserve project was provided in part by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency through Section 319 of the Clean Water Act and Illinois Department of Natural Resources OSLAD funds.

Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) has awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting to Park District of Highland Park for its comprehensive annual financial report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019.  This is the 31st consecutive year the Park District has received the award.   The report has been judged by an impartial panel to meet the high standards of the program, which includes demonstrating a constructive “spirit of full disclosure” to clearly communicate its financial story and motivate potential users and user groups to read the report.

The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management.

Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) advances excellence in government finance by providing best practices, professional development, resources, and practical research for more than 21,000 members and the communities they serve.

The Park District of Highland Park Competitive Gymnastics Team traveled to their first meet of the season on Sunday, Feb 14.  The Level 3 team came home with the First Place team award. Individual awards went to Hannah Maletsky for 1st place in the All-Around for the nine-year-old division. Her teammate Kenna Reed came in 6th place in the All-Around for that age group. In the ten-year-old age group, Sydney Genser took the top honor with a 1st place All-Around award. In the 11-year-old age group, the PDHP team was represented by Fiona Brownstein in 1st place and Naomi Rago in 2nd place for the All-Around. Rounding out the team, in the 12 & up age group, Lauren Smiley was awarded 1st place All-Around and Charlie Weisbart 2nd place.

“The girls have worked hard all summer and waited patiently for the season to get the clearance to start up within the state restrictions,” said Carol Sassorossi, program manager.  “It was very exciting seeing the improvement and confidence shine through the girls.”

Chicago Golf Report named the clubhouse at Sunset Valley Golf Club one of the top ten best for public courses in the Chicago area.  Sunset Valley came in at number six on the list.  The list was compiled and ranked based on the importance and benefits of clubhouses to the everyday golfers— before, during, and after a round of golf.

The publication gave high marks for the clubhouse at Sunset Valley’s cozy atmosphere, stunning views of the course, trendy bar, the 1920s inspired menu, outdoor veranda and patio, and the expanded pro shop.    View the article, here. 

In 2020 the Park District was awarded a grant from the Illinois Coastal Management Program to conduct a Beach Management Plan to recommend achievable operations and maintenance strategies to respond to climate change effects at Park District lakefront properties. The Park District consulted coastal engineers and regional experts to develop strategies tailored to each unique property.

The Park District will accept comments on the plan through Thursday, March 18. The plan document is expected to be presented to Park Board of Commissioners at the Tuesday, March 30 Board Meeting.  

The Park District of Highland Park Beach Management Plan is supported by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Coastal Management Program through a federal grant from the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce.

Get On. Get Fit. Get Happy. The Recreation Center of Highland Park has launched its new On the Go Fitness!   The $5 per month subscription provides access to a complete library of the Recreation Center’s new on-demand fitness classes.

Whether you are at home, on vacation, in your backyard, or on a business trip, On the Go Fitness will keep you on your fitness path to a stronger, leaner, healthier version of YOU.   Subscribers will enjoy:

• 24/7 access
• Conducted by the Rec Center’s top instructors
• New high-quality energizing videos added weekly 
• Choose from cardio, strength, yoga,  and more
• New live-streaming classes are coming soon!

Best of All! 

Your $5 monthly subscription fee is donated to the Parks Foundation of Highland Park the first month and every month of your On the Go Fitness subscription. The Parks Foundation of Highland Park is dedicated to the belief that every resident in our community deserves the opportunity for an enriched and healthy lifestyle. The Foundation provides funding for over $150,000 in annual scholarships to Highland Park and Highwood residents facing economic difficulty with access to classes, camps, sports leagues, fitness activities, and events that promote healthy lifestyles.

The Parks Foundation is dedicated to ensuring that every Highland Park/Highwood resident has the opportunity for an enriched, healthy lifestyle. Our scholarships help families in financial need participate in Park District programs. The Foundation funds…

• $150,000 in annual grants for Park District classes and camps
• Learn-to-Swim lessons for Highwood children
• A new golf instruction program for at-risk youth
• Construction of SVGC Youth Golf Development Center 

The Parks Foundation Board is currently seeking new members and volunteers! If you have a passion for your community and your parks, we would love to have you be a part of our team.

About the Parks Foundation of Highland Park 

The Parks Foundation of Highland Park, an independent, community-led, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, was established in 2016 to support access to the world-class Park District programs and facilities that enhance community life in Highland Park.

For more information about the Parks Foundation go to pfhpil.org or call 847-579-3136.

In an effort to provide relief to Highland Park property owners, the Park Board of Commissioners approved a Truth in Taxation Resolution for a 0% increase for the Park District’s 2021 tax levy. As a result, the Park District plans to levy $11,743,050 in 2021, keeping the percent increase flat in comparison to 2020. The Park District’s portion of residents’ property tax is approximately 7%.  
     
“This has been an exceptionally challenging year for our residents,” said Barney Ruttenberg, president of the Park Board of Commissioners.  “Throughout the pandemic, the Park District has adjusted its operations and programming to provide safe and healthy recreational outlets for our community’s physical, emotional, and mental well-being. We feel it is our responsibility to do more for our residents struggling with the financial ramifications of this on-going pandemic. Through careful planning and cost-saving strategies, we can keep our tax levy flat for 2021 to provide much-needed relief for our residents during this unprecedented time.” 
       
The 2021 Park District flat tax levy includes a combination of a 2.3% Consumer Price Index (CPI) increase in its “tax capped funds,” new growth estimated to be approximately $25 million, and a reduction in the Special Recreation Fund levy from .04% to .0245%. The Special Recreation Fund is used for the Park District’s Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) capital improvements, member fees for the Northern Suburban Special Recreation Association (NSSRA), and program inclusion fees for participants with special needs. Due to COVID-19, there was a reduction in Special Recreation Fund expenses in 2020. As a result, $682,550.32 will be added to the Special Recreation Fund’s balance in 2021, allowing the Park District to lower the 2021 Levy for this Fund. 

“Because of the decreased expenditures in 2020, the reduction in the 2021 Special Recreation Fund levy will not reduce our ability to continue with planned ADA capital improvements, complete projects that require ADA accommodations in the coming years, or meet obligations to NSSRA, including support for the renovation of their new administrative building,” said Brian Romes, executive director of the Park District of Highland Park.      
     
“It is our goal to continue creating a safe environment for our residents while creating innovative ways to participate in recreational programs and services. Through efficient and fiscally responsible planning, we aspire to ensure the Park District will continue providing essential recreational outlets for our residents in the short and long-term as our community and our country perseveres through this difficult time,” said Ruttenberg. 

The Preserve of Highland Park construction is expected to begin November 1, 2020!   When completed, The Preserve’s amenities will include improved pathways, a pond overlook, gardens, seating, play areas, signage and a restored north pond shoreline with native plantings and vegetated swales.  During construction, some paths will be closed.  Several looping trails will remain open to visitors, as will the North-South Bike Trail on the property’s east edge.

To learn more about this exciting project, click here.