Part of the charm of living in Highland Park and our neighboring suburbs is being outside, enjoying the beautiful parks, green spaces, walking trails, and, of course, the beaches along Lake Michigan. The Park District of Highland Park is responsible for maintaining over 750 acres, including the park lands, playgrounds, ballfields, open spaces, beaches, and the majestic bluffs that add to the quality of life for our residents and visitors. It’s a responsibility our dedicated team in the Parks Department takes very seriously, and the results of their efforts are on display every day, week after week, season after season, all year round. While you might not notice them, the impact of what they provide for the District and the community is undeniable. In a previous story, we told you a bit about the people who create the plans and projects. Now, we’d like to introduce the people who make sure that wherever you go in the Park District, you and your family have a great time in the great outdoors.
The team is led by our Director of Parks, Dan Voss, who has been in the business of keeping things green and growing for 28 years. “Essentially, we’re responsible for the maintenance of anything outdoors at the Park District,” said Dan. “I’ve always loved working outside, and what we all do here is fulfilling because it benefits the whole community.” You’ll hear that a lot when you talk to Parks & Recreation professionals. It’s a big part of why pros like Dan and the members of his team have been with this District for so many years.
The team includes Parks Operations Manager Brian Dumas, Parks Landscape Manager Glenn Nance, and Natural Areas Manager Liz Ricketts. They are all quite modest about their roles, but when you dig in a little deeper the extent of what each of their jobs entails keeps expanding.
Glenn says, “I oversee grass, trees and plants.” Sounds simple enough until you look around and realize how many trees he’s actually talking about. For example, included in the renovation project that’s being completed at the Recreation Center there are 81 new trees. Plus 470 new shrubs. Glenn, Liz, and Dan worked with the projects department to come up with a plan that would be beautiful year-round. “Even though it’s next to The Preserve, using a lot of prairie plants just wasn’t feasible because those plants won’t present well year round that close to a road,” said Dan.
Glenn is also responsible for the large fleet of park district vehicles and all of the landscape-specific equipment, from mowers to trimmers. He’s been in Parks & Rec for 25 years, and his expertise is helping to create the future of how our park spaces will be maintained. “We’re planning for more electric vehicles, and that also means planning for charging stations across the District,” said Glenn.
Along with Brian and Liz, Glenn manages a support staff of 26 people with the myriad skills required to handle every job, large and small, from keeping water fountains flowing to keeping healthy trees growing.
Proper restoration techniques are a fundamental part of natural areas management in the Park District. Liz Ricketts gave us an overview. “The natural areas program manages 350 acres across the district. Of course, we have large and small parcels, more significantly at Heller Nature Center and The Preserve of Highland Park. There’s a wide variety of habitat types within that acreage as well, and our management of those areas strives to establish and maintain high-quality ecosystems that support our native vegetation, which in turn supports the animals and pollinators that rely on them. We’re fortunate to have support and help from volunteers in the community, from school age kids and teens to adults, families, and local organizations including Eagle Scouts.”
If you want to find out more and be a part of managing and maintaining the health of your parks and green spaces, talk with Liz. All are welcome!
At Heller, Highmoor Nature Preserve, and The Preserve, the Natural Areas staff and volunteers also monitor bluebirds and rare plant species like the dog violet (Viola conspersa). What makes a plant rare is often the habitat that it’s found in, so a more conservative habitat is required for those plants.” There’s also monitoring of the plants and animals that are specific to the lakefront. “As part of a long-running project with the Shedd Aquarium, every spring we monitor the migration of a native fish, the white sucker, from the lake into the ravine streams.” Restoration of the bluffs overlooking Millard Beach is another long-term project the team has been working on.
Controlled burns in spring and fall—between 10 and 20 acres across the district—lead to the growing season. “We seed after a burn because those are the best conditions for seed-to-soil contact,” said Liz. “And we have two large projects this season: refreshing the entryway plantings at Heller Nature Center and expanding a rain garden at Deer Creek Racquet Club. After removing invasive species like Buckthorn and other woody plants during the winter months, throughout the growing season we focus on the management of herbaceous invasive species like garlic mustard, phragmites, and reed canary grass.
Playgrounds and ball fields are likely the places you are more aware of as you enjoy the parks, and Brian Dumas oversees making sure those are not only beautiful to look at, but safe to play on as well.
With more than 25 years in the business, and holding a Certified Playground Safety Inspector (CPSI) Certification from the National Recreation and Park Association, Brian is another one of those quiet experts who also manages the Parks Department staff. He’s responsible for opening up all of our seasonal facilities. “Ball fields, tennis courts, pickleball courts, satellite bathrooms, the lakefront, to make sure that everything is ready to go at the start of those seasons.” Perfectly groomed ballfield? Slides and swings and rocket ships all working? Bathrooms clean? Boardwalks and beachfront stairs repaired and safe? Thank Brian for all of those. “We have 22 playgrounds across the District, and ballfields in 14 parks,” he said. “It’s always so nice to hear from residents that they appreciate what we do.”
From dog violets in the wild to white suckers swimming upstream, from manicured baseball diamonds to the woods and walking trails that wind through your favorite place to relax, there’s always so much more going on here than meets the eye. And now you know a little about the people who work year-round—mostly behind the scenes—to make sure that everyone in our Highland Park community can enjoy being outdoors at their Park District.
Have a question about a park, playground, a ballfield, a beach or a bluff? The answer is likely on our website.
Until next time… See you around the parks!
Spring is here, and all around us, animals are waking up and getting ready for an exciting summer. Our bees are gathering pollen from the earliest flowers, and frogs and toads can be heard calling all around. Among this waking wildlife is a little arachnid that concerns us each year: the tick. Unfortunately, there will be more ticks this year. The surprising answer as to why actually has to do with acorns. The past years have been good for acorns, which is good for mice, which is good for ticks. This year, however, we are seeing fewer acorns, which means less mice. With a tick population lagging slightly behind this trend, this year we have lots of ticks with less mice to feed on.
In Illinois, there are typically two common tick types: the deer tick, which carry Lyme disease, and the wood tick. Deer ticks are small and hard to spot, so look out for rashes or bullseye shaped spots on your body. Wood ticks are larger, and while they may not carry Lyme, they are known to carry other germs that may be harmful to humans.
There is a third tick to look out for this year. The Longhorned Asian Tick has been discovered in Illinois (the 20th state they have been found in so far) and is considered invasive in the US. Currently, it is expected that the tick carries some germs that are dangerous to humans, but we do not know if they can transmit them yet. They are known to be dangerous to livestock and some pets. If you come in contact with a tick, immediately remove it—if you can, try to trap it (a piece of tape works) and keep it. Doctors can sometimes test a tick that bit you to see if there is cause for concern.
The Illinois Department of Health has posted some excellent guidelines for preventing tick bites:
How do animals stay warm in the winter? Join Mark on the snowy trails of Heller Nature Center and discover how some of our aquatic friends survive the cold.
By Melanie O’Brien, Restoration Technician with our Natural Areas Department
The winter landscape at Heller Nature Center currently sports some curious clues about our ongoing restoration work. Behind the nature center, neon pink tags adorn native understory trees and shrubs, such as Hazelnut and Redbud. Piles of brush, dark burn scars among the leaf litter, and patches of scorched ground and vegetation in our northern prairie might have piqued your interest. The Park District’s natural areas crew, along with hardworking members of our volunteer program, have been busy taking advantage of the benefits of these cold months!
You might think outdoor work slows down with the plunging temperatures, but winter weather makes important restoration techniques possible. The cooler weather and low humidity of late fall produces dead leaves and vegetation, which means plenty of fuel and optimal atmospheric conditions that make prescription burns possible. Prescription burning has been part of Illinois’s ecosystems for thousands of years; our native plants have evolved and adapted alongside wildfire and the indigenous peoples of Illinois used controlled fire to clear brush and provide space for game and hunting. At Heller Nature Center, our natural areas crew utilizes controlled fire as a cost-effective tool to control non-native species such as buckthorn and honeysuckle. The blackened, exposed ground you see in our north and south prairies also provides excellent conditions for seeds of native flowers and grasses to germinate and thrive come spring.
When December and January turn frigid, trees, plants, and insect life are dormant. This winter, our crew and volunteer members focus on our oak and hickory woodlands, cutting invasive brush and removing the plant material through brush pile burns, a method that leaves a distinctive ground scar that can be reused for multiple burns. In these dormant conditions, plant matter can be disturbed and removed without causing harm to living insects and plants. When the ground is frozen, the soil won’t be torn up or trampled as crew members and volunteers (carefully) walk the woods and haul cut brush, performing the important work of creating excellent growing conditions for native woodland flowers that thrive in Heller’s open woodlands, such as Trout Lily, Jack-in-the-Pulpit, and Red Trillium.
Heller’s outdoor winter workload can benefit more than our Park District’s native habitats – it can benefit your health as well! If you’re tired of the treadmill, or want to experience a little more sunlight during these short days, or simply need a breath of fresh air, why not attend a weekly volunteer workday hosted by our natural areas team? Volunteer workdays take place every Friday, 9-11am, all year around, with tools and training provided by our crew of experienced restoration technicians. Cutting and hauling brush is such great exercise, you won’t even need to depend on our burn pile to keep warm! If you’d like to be added to our list of volunteers and receive our workday emails, please contact our Natural Areas Manager, Liz Ricketts, at [email protected].
Winter only feels like it lasts forever; before long, the ground thaws, the trees bud, and green shoots grow toward the warming air. The soil where a stand of dense buckthorn grew the previous year is blanketed in native ephemerals like Bloodroot, Rue Anemone and Mayapple. These positive changes to our native habitats wouldn’t be possible without the ongoing interests and efforts of our Park District community, or without the boons we gain in our coldest months. When we look at the big picture, it’s not hard to envision wintertime as a fruitful season.
10U Blue Claims the championship with a dominant fall finish! Our 10U Blue Baseball team capped off an incredible 2024 season by securing the fall championship with a commanding 7-1 victory over Deerfield in the final game. Finishing the calendar year with an impressive 27-15-1 record, the team went undefeated in the fall season, boasting a perfect 10-0 run.
The road to the championship was full of excitement and nail-biting moments. In the first round of the playoffs, 10U Blue faced the New Trier Bulldogs in a thrilling extra-innings battle, pulling off a 9-8 victory. They then moved on to the semi-finals, where they edged out the Lincolnshire Lightning with a solid 5-3 win.
The championship game against Deerfield was the final highlight of their remarkable season. 10U Blue delivered a 7-1 victory, claiming the title and cementing their dominance in the fall league.
This team’s perseverance, teamwork, and determination throughout the season were truly inspiring. Congratulations to the players and coaches on a well-deserved championship!
Connecting with nature is important at any age! Heller Nature Center’s programs are designed to inspire a lifelong appreciation for nature, foster environmental stewardship, and promote a healthier, more connected community. Whether you are an avid nature enthusiast or simply looking to explore new outdoor activities, Heller Nature Center offers something for everyone.
Check out our upcoming Adult/Adult-Friendly Programs:
Eat the forest! Join The Wild Dryad on a foraging tour of Heller’s woods; learn how to spot wild edibles and how best to cook them. Sample some of the plants we find on our hike.
Join us for an evening of nature-themed trivia. Enter in teams of up to 6, or join a team of new friends on arrival. Then, compete with fellow residents to see who knows more about the ecology in our local area and beyond.
This is a BYOB event. Light snacks will be provided.
Ages 21+
Our honey bees have been working all summer making our famous Heller Honey. Come and experience how to harvest our honey with one of our naturalists and take home a small jar you harvested from the hives.
From natural areas restoration to beekeeping, outdoor volunteer opportunities are aplenty!
The periodic cicadas have arrived! On this episode of Wild Insights, Mark describes the difference between periodic and annual cicadas, their molting process, and where you can see them in Highland Park!
In our third and final installment of Parks in Mind, a video series in collaboration with Endeavor Health that explores mental health and recreation, Dr. Fazio and Kyle answer the following questions:
Lindsay T. Fazio, PhD is the System Director of Wellbeing & Vitality for Endeavor Health. Her role is to develop and drive the strategic plan to bring wellbeing to each and every team member no matter their role or responsibility within the organization.
She received her B.S. in Psychology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and her Ph.D. in counseling psychology from Indiana State University. She completed her residency in medical psychology at St. James Hospital and Health Centers. Dr. Fazio’s passion is promoting wellness began 20 years ago teaching physicians and physicians-in-training. She works with departments and health systems nationally to monitor burnout provide a programatic series of strengths-based interventions to promote resiliency and engagement across all members of the healthcare team.
Kyle Kovski, LCSW is dedicated to supporting the emotional wellbeing of individuals within Endeavor Health. His dual role as the Wellbeing Support Advisor and System R.I.S.E. Clinical Coordinator showcases his commitment to fostering resilience and creating a supportive culture within the organization.
With his educational background in Social Work, Kyle brings a comprehensive understanding of human behavior and mental health to his role. His clinical experience across different age groups and symptomatology provides him with a nuanced perspective on addressing the diverse needs of individuals. Kyle’s focus on supporting medical professionals is especially impactful, given his firsthand experience in Family Medicine Residency programs support Behavioral Health Education. He recognizes the unique challenges individuals are faced with daily and advocates for the importance of stress management and resilience techniques in mitigating the impact of trauma.
By drawing from his expertise in trauma and emphasizing the importance of holistic wellbeing, Kyle empowers individuals to navigate challenges effectively. His efforts not only benefit the individuals he directly supports but also contribute to creating a culture of support and resilience within Endeavor Health.
In our second installment of Parks in Mind, a video series in collaboration with Endeavor Health that explores mental health and recreation, Dr. Fazio and Kyle answer the following questions:
Lindsay T. Fazio, PhD is the System Director of Wellbeing & Vitality for Endeavor Health. Her role is to develop and drive the strategic plan to bring wellbeing to each and every team member no matter their role or responsibility within the organization.
She received her B.S. in Psychology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and her Ph.D. in counseling psychology from Indiana State University. She completed her residency in medical psychology at St. James Hospital and Health Centers. Dr. Fazio’s passion is promoting wellness began 20 years ago teaching physicians and physicians-in-training. She works with departments and health systems nationally to monitor burnout provide a programatic series of strengths-based interventions to promote resiliency and engagement across all members of the healthcare team.
Kyle Kovski, LCSW is dedicated to supporting the emotional wellbeing of individuals within Endeavor Health. His dual role as the Wellbeing Support Advisor and System R.I.S.E. Clinical Coordinator showcases his commitment to fostering resilience and creating a supportive culture within the organization.
With his educational background in Social Work, Kyle brings a comprehensive understanding of human behavior and mental health to his role. His clinical experience across different age groups and symptomatology provides him with a nuanced perspective on addressing the diverse needs of individuals. Kyle’s focus on supporting medical professionals is especially impactful, given his firsthand experience in Family Medicine Residency programs support Behavioral Health Education. He recognizes the unique challenges individuals are faced with daily and advocates for the importance of stress management and resilience techniques in mitigating the impact of trauma.
By drawing from his expertise in trauma and emphasizing the importance of holistic wellbeing, Kyle empowers individuals to navigate challenges effectively. His efforts not only benefit the individuals he directly supports but also contribute to creating a culture of support and resilience within Endeavor Health.
Walter the Raccoon seems to have left behind some items in our parks, can you help find them?
Each day this week, Walter will leave a clue here (and on our Facebook) about which park he’s visited. When you find Walter with the item left behind at one of our parks, scan the QR code to see what fun activity you can do and enter our drawing to win prizes and a gift card!
Walter can’t find his hiking stick! Can you help him find it in one of our parks? Here’s your clue:
“I thought I’d grab my fishing pole,
And head on past the Pickle Ball or Tennis Courts.
There’s a great little fishing hole,
Where you can see animals of all sorts!
If you see ice you’ve gone too far.”
