For the safety of our swimmers at Hidden Creek AquaPark, we updated our minimum height requirement to 48 inches for the following features:

•  Drop Off Point
• Cliff Hanger
• Twisted Rapids

Swimmers between 42 inches to 48 inches tall must pass a swim test to use these features.  Please see our Guest Services (located on the west side of the Bathhouse) to inquire about the swim test. All swimmers under 42 inches are not permitted to use these features.

Golf Inc magazine named Sunset Valley Golf Club the third best “Renovation of the Year” for public golf courses in the world in its May/June 2019 issue.It’s the third award Sunset Valley has won for its innovative design features since it reopened in late summer 2018.

Golf Inc. judges called Sunset Valley “an impressive project that provides benefits to the community while improving the golf course.  Interesting use of parkland/links characteristics into a cohesive aesthetic. Wonderful transformation of mild featureless parkland into functioning and engaging golf course.”

Park District of Highland Park Interim Executive Director Kathy Donahue said the latest recognition is further affirmation that the District achieved its goals for Sunset Valley.  “The renovation breathed new life into our 99 year-old course and ensures that Sunset Valley will continue to be a great destination to play the game for generations to come.” Donahue said. “We are thrilled and humbled to receive recognition for our vision for Sunset Valley.”

Other awards Sunset Valley Golf Club has also won:

2019 Illinois Parks and Recreation Association, Facility of the Year

2018 American Society of Golf Course Architects Design Excellence Award

Sunset Valley underwent an extensive 18-month renovation to the course and clubhouse. The new course reflects a unique British Heathland design with an openness accentuated with strategic landforms, flowing masses of native grasses and groves of trees which harken back to the character and aesthetic appeal of the course’s original 1920’s era golf course architecture. The newly remodeled clubhouse offers a classic vibe with striking views of the golf course. Now featuring an expanded golf shop, the new 13ninety restaurant as well as a cozy lounge area with fireplace, the clubhouse is a destination for guests and golfers to relax and Enjoy the Sunset.

Since the August 2018 opening, golfer feedback on the new course layout, designed by golf course architect Rick Jacobson, has been extremely positive.  This Spring, Sunset Valley has already seen record breaking total rounds played in a single weekend.

Lifeguards Need Your Help Too!  Rosewood Swimming Beach and Hidden Creek AquaPark open for the season Memorial Day weekend.  Now is the perfect time to review these important water safety tips before heading to the pool or beach to ensure you and your family enjoy a fun, healthy, and safe summer.

1. Water Safety Tips:

• Before every visit to the pool or beach, discuss water safety and rules with your children 
• Ensure your children have strong swimming skills by enrolling them in swimming classes
• If you bring a child’s friend to the pool, assess their swimming ability yourself, don’t just rely on what their parents tell you
• Don’t give shoulder rides, you may not be able to tell if your child’s head is above water
• Don’t let your children play breath holding games
• Enter the water feet first;  serious injuries can occur by diving into unknown water
• At the beach, be aware of rip currents.  Don’t try to fight a strong current to get to shore, swim parallel to the current until it eases up, then swim to shore.
• At the beach, look for these warning flags:  
  • Green Flag – bacteria levels are not elevated, no advisories
  • Yellow Flag – bacteria levels are elevated, a caution swimming advisory
  • Red Flag – high levels of bacteria, no swimming is advised
• Always swim within view of a lifeguard, and go the guard if you need help
• Always swim with a buddy — there is safety in numbers
• Keep toys that sink to the bottom of the pool at home
• Watch your children at all times around any body of water
• Don’t get distracted by books or electronics, you are there to have fun, so unplug!
• Remember to stay within an arm’s reach of your child at all times, even if they’re wearing a life jacket
• Only use Coast Guard approved life jackets that are properly fitted–Hidden Creek AquaPark has Coast Guard approved life jackets for children (x-small-medium) that are free to use while at the pool
• Protect yourself and children from the sun by always wearing sunscreen and reapply often.  Sunburns can happen even on an overcast day.
• Hydrate and refuel often.  The sun can drain your energy — drink water and eat often throughout your day. 

2. Share These Water Safety Tips With Your Kids:

• Have an adult with you whenever you go swimming
• Make sure a lifeguard is watching the pool and the adult you are with gives you permission before you go into the water
• Don’t rough house or play breath holding games; it’s dangerous
• If you see someone in trouble yell “HELP!” over and over again – don’t try to help someone in trouble yourself, or you could be pulled under
• If you are tired, remember to take a break

3. Review Rosewood Beach Safety Regulations with Your Family:

• Climbing on rocks is prohibited
• Flotation devices are prohibited in the water
• Glass containers are prohibited
• Swim only during public swimming hours and in designated areas
• Children under the age of 11 must be accompanied by an adult
• Diving from the shoreline or rocks is prohibited
• Please dispose of all litter in the receptacles provided
• For Public Safety Dogs are not allowed at Rosewood Beach –  Rosewood Beach is for the public’s use and the presence of dogs and other pets creates a safety and sanitation concern. Therefore, for the safety and well-being of our beach visitors, dogs and other pets are not allowed at lower Rosewood beach including the boardwalk, bridges, and beach (per Park District Ordinance No. 15-04, section 2.03-e).

The Park District of Highland Park is introducing Go Highland Park, a new community movement designed to increase community health through activity, education and collaboration. 

“We want to create a culture in our community that promotes physical movement. GO Highland Park is designed to encourage everyone to make a commitment to themselves and get moving for 30 minutes each day,” explains Kathy Donahue, Interim Executive Director for the Park District of Highland Park. 

This movement is in response to the former U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek H. Murthy’s call to action challenging Parks and Recreation agencies to focus on the health benefits for people of all ages and stages of life to walk at least 30 minutes each day.

The GO Highland Park initiative is simple:  everyone makes a commitment to take a walk or other similar exercise every day this summer in their own neighborhood or at a park of their choice.

To get Go Highland Park off to a good start the Park District is planning a kickoff Community Walk event on Saturday, June 8, 2019 from 9:30 – 10:30am at the Community Park at the Recreation Center of Highland Park located at 1207 Park Ave. West. 

• Walkers will meet at the south entrance of the park and walk together. 
• The Recreation Center of Highland Park is hosting five exercise stations along the walk that will be fun for all ages.  This free walking initiative offers an opportunity to encourage everyone in our community to take part in improving our health and wellness. 
• Participants will also have a chance to win a free three-month membership to the Recreation Center of Highland Park. 
• Working Bikes – donate your adult bikes in repairable condition and gently used kids bikes as well as bike accessories.   Working Bikes is a 20 year-old nonprofit that gives away 8,000 bikes a year locally and internationally.  
• Go Highland Park t-shirts will be handed out to the first 100 walkers along with other fun give-aways. 

There are many benefits to walking 30 minutes every day.  Walking can help to prevent and reduce the risk of chronic diseases, premature death and supports positive mental health.   For more information on this important initiative and how you can get involved click here: Go Highland Park.

The Park District of Highland Park Level 3 Gymnastics Team competed in the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) Gymnastics Central District State Meet in Rockford on Saturday, April 27, 2019.  The team placed 11th with a season high score of 110.225, just missing the top 10 by .075.  This is the team’s inaugural season. 

Individual highlights from their respective age groups include Hannah Spencer awarded second on beam, floor, all around, and

taking the vault champion title.  Lucky Fincher placed third on floor, and vault, and fourth in all around.  In the Junior Division, Ali Danziger placed fourth on vault, and fifth on floor.  Lindsey Drake placed sixth on both the vault and beam. In the Child Division, Rowan Kach placed fifth on vault, and second place on floor.

The Park District Level 3 Team is coached by Bruce Keeshin.  He is a former Head Coach for men and women’s gymnastics team at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (M.I.T.). 

“These girls have been working hard, learning routines and taking on the challenge of being the founding members of our competitive team,” said Keeshin.  “I am truly impressed with the improvement I have seen this season.”

The Park District Gymnastics Team practices out of Centennial Ice Center.  Centennial is a premier regional center for gymnastics with a highly qualified staff and progressive programming.  The arena is a proud member of Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) Gymnastics.

For more information about Centennial Ice Arena recreational and competitive gymnastics programs, please contact Carol Sassorossi, csassorossi@pdhp.org.

Top Left Photo:  (left to right) Ali Danziger, Hannah Spencer, Lindsey Drake, Lucky Fincher

The Park District of Highland Park is keeping up with the trends in pickleball and listening to interest expressed by community members for dedicated pickleball courts. This year, the District is converting two of the 12 tennis courts at Danny Cunniff Park to 6 pickleball courts and converting 1 of the 2 tennis courts at Woodridge Park into 2 pickleball courts for a total of 8 outdoor dedicated pickleball courts in Highland Park. This is in addition to the existing indoor pickleball opportunities offered by the Park District at the Recreation Center of Highland Park and Deer Creek Racquet Club.  

Pickleball, a game that combines badminton, tennis and table tennis, provides a number of health benefits—in the form of cardiovascular and metabolic responses for older adults. This is according to new research by the American Council on Exercise (ACE), which showed that pickleball enables older adults to maintain their fitness levels, leading to increased independence even as they age.

Having originated in the 1960s, pickleball uses solid paddles to hit a ball over a net and can be played in either singles or doubles. The solid paddles are made of wood or composite materials and are used to hit a perforated polymer ball over a net. The game is simple enough for beginners to older adults, but also can be fast-paced for those who are more skilled.

The key to exercise is finding a safe and effective workout that brings long-term benefits and lifelong participation. So, for the study, ACE enlisted the help of Lance Dalleck, Ph.D., and his team of researchers in the High Altitude Exercise Physiology Program at Western State Colorado University. The purpose of the study was to “quantify the acute cardiovascular and metabolic responses to pickleball, and to determine the effectiveness of a six-week pickleball intervention at positively modifying cardiometabolic risk factors.”

The research involved recruiting 15 middle-aged to older men and women (40 to 85 years of age). To quantify the acute cardiovascular and metabolic responses to pickleball, participants wore a portable calorimetric measurement system and a heart-rate monitor. The participants played four 15-minute matches (60 minutes of physical activity) three days each week.

Prior to the start of the study, all participants performed a graded exercise test on a treadmill to determine maximal heart rate (MHR) and maximal oxygen consumption (VO2 max). The following measurements were recorded at baseline: resting heart rate, body composition, fasting blood lipids, fasting blood glucose, waist circumference and weight. Those same measurements were obtained again after the six-week program in order to determine the effectiveness of pickleball at positively modifying cardiometabolic risk factors.

For example, the chronic cardiovascular and metabolic responses to pickleball showed that after six weeks, “participants saw favorable changes in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and VO2max. Together, these equate to a positive effect on cardiometabolic health.”

Overall, the study’s primary finding is that regular participation in pickleball elicits cardiovascular and metabolic responses that meet exercise intensity guidelines for improving and maintaining cardiorespiratory fitness—with the average caloric expenditure equaling about 350 calories per 60 minutes of participation. Collectively, the findings support pickleball as an ideal form of physical activity for middle-aged and older adults.

This article originally appeared in the September 2018 issue of  Recreation Management Magazine                                                                                     

This fall, ParkSchool is opening its doors for the first time offering a one-of-a-kind early childhood educational program for 2, 3, and 4-year-olds.  Our early childhood educational staff at West Ridge Center, Heller Nature Center and Rosewood Beach Interpretive Center have partnered along with the Park District’s entire team of recreational professionals to bring a new level of STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, math) with the added benefit of recreation education for young learners.  

ParkSchool is a new unique combination of modern early childhood education methods along with the expertise in recreation and access to the natural world that only the Park District of Highland Park can provide.  And, the new program has been carefully structured to offer a streamlined set of options that fit into your family’s hectic schedule.   Choose from morning or afternoon, one day or multiple days, one session or the full year, before or after care to extend your child’s day.  And, 4-year-olds have the added opportunity to participate in an afternoon of nature programs at Heller Nature Center and Rosewood Beach. 

The sounds of giggles, the magic of learning and the buzz of activity will fill every nook and cranny at the new ParkSchool beginning this fall.  Peek into our classrooms and you will see eager youngsters engaged in creative lessons in technology, science, mathematics.  Turn the corner into our gym and you will find one of the Park District’s professional staff from Sunset Valley Golf Club, Deer Creek Racquet Club, Centennial Ice Arena – just to name a few —  teaching a room full of excited students the fundamentals of tennis, golf, gymnastics, basketball, and more. 

Walk out to our 16-acre backyard at West Ridge and you will find children playing or participating in an outdoor art lesson.   Or, travel with our 4-year-olds on the nature shuttle for a fun-filled afternoon exploring and learning about the wonders of nature at the 97-acre Heller Nature Center or the marvels of the Lake Michigan ecosystems at Rosewood Beach; a perfect way to prepare for full-day Kindergarten. 

How did the concept for ParkSchool come about?  According to  the Park District’s Recreation Team , we took feedback from our loyal customers and combined the best of the Park District’s popular early childhood programs to create a new level of learning for children.  We coined the term “STREAM,” commented Jessica Reyes, Manager at Heller Nature Center, incorporating the component of recreation into the traditional STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics) methods which really sets ParkSchool apart.  Providing access to sports for all our students and our beautiful natural areas for 4-year-olds is something that makes ParkSchool truly unique.

But the difference doesn’t stop there.  The philosophy of the ParkSchool educational team brings a whole new level of expertise and professionalism to caring for and nurturing each child’s special qualities and talents. 

We believe that creating a strong love of exploration and curiosity early in a child’s life establishes a pattern of lifelong learning. Success is measured by nurturing and celebrating each child’s individual development. We embrace experiential project-based activities that enable children to discover their true potential—methods that encourage them to question, explore, and discover. It is through ParkSchool’s unique blend of a supportive warm environment and discovery-based play that children can truly expand their imagination, acquire a confidence and inquisitiveness that allows them to establish a Successful Beginning for a Bright Future of Learning.

For more information and to register for ParkSchool, click here.

Students from  Highland Park High School released young fish into the ravine stream at Rosewood Park Beach.  The students have been raising the young Rainbow Trout in their classrooms since November.   The fish release event is a culmination of “Trout in the Classroom,” a partnership between the Park District of Highland Park,  Highland Park High School , and the Gary Borger Chapter of Trout Unlimited, the local arm of the national conservation organization which sponsored the purchase of food, tank and equipment for the fish.  The fish eggs were supplied by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. The fish release event was staffed by  from Heller Nature Center and the Park District’s Natural Areas Program.  The High School students have been involved in the project since 2012. 

“Keeping our natural waters healthy is important,” said Rebecca Grill, Natural Areas Manager for the Park District of Highland Park.   “Rainbow Trout can return to their ‘natal’ stream after reaching maturity.   Our hope is that these fish will come back in a few years to spawn in our ravines. If they do, it will be an indicator that the ravines are a healthy habitat for local wildlife.”

For more information on the project, click here