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Sound off! Your dog will help sniff out eggs that are filled with treats special for pups! One handler age 18 or older per dog. All dogs must remain on leash for the entire event, be at least 4 months old to participate, and wear current rabies tags. This event is free; however, owner registration is recommended to receive the detailed information.
All dogs
Sunset Woods Park
1801 Sunset Road
Step into a world of inclusivity and wonder at our Sensory-Friendly Egg Hunt, a heartwarming event that embraces the joy of the season while accommodating the unique needs of individuals with sensory sensitivities. This one-of-a-kind egg hunt is thoughtfully designed to ensure that everyone can join in the fun, fostering an environment of understanding, compassion, and, above all, celebration.
This hunt is specifically for children ages 3-14 with disabilities.
Sunset Woods Park
1801 Sunset Road
Designed just for the little ones! Bring your Tots to climb, play, and discover hidden treasures as they collect colorful eggs throughout the playground!
Ages 1-3
Sunset Woods Park
1801 Sunset Road
Don’t be late for this Very Important Date! Featuring scenes and characters from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and thousands of plastic eggs filled with treats, the Wonderland Egg Hunt is family fun for children and their parents.
This event for families is free; however, registration is recommended to receive detailed information.
Ages 3+
Sunset Woods Park
1801 Sunset Road
Thank you to our sponsor:
Join us at the Recreation Center of Highland Park’s indoor pool for our Floating Egg Hunt event! There will be hundreds of eggs to swim for and collect, make sure to bring your own basket. Guests are welcomed to stay and swim afterwards until their group time slot is over. The egg hunt begins promptly at the times listed so please arrive early for check-in!
Age Groups (max of 25 per time slot)
*Parents are allowed in the water to help their non-swimming children. Life jackets are available.
Ages 3-10
Park Fitness
1207 Park Avenue West
Use GPS’s to explore Heller Nature Center Woods and look for different kinds of animals that lay eggs! With each egg you find, learn about these different animals and how their eggs protect them as they grow
Ages 2+
Heller Nature Center
2821 Ridge Rd
Join us for an egg-citing twist on the traditional egg hunt—designed just for the “older kids”! Each child participant must be registered, and accompanied by an adult (adult need not register).
Ages 8-12
Location: This unique event takes place at night in a secret park location, revealed one week prior to the event. Registered participants will receive all the details ahead of time.
Location TBD
If you missed the GreenPrint Master Plan Open House on February 7, you still have an opportunity to review the project’s progress and provide feedback.
You can view the introductory video and the complete presentation and provide your comments on our GreenPrint website. The presentation and video provide an overview of the planning process and community engagement to date, explore ideas for future capital projects and system priorities, provide an understanding of what these projects might cost, and explain what is currently budgeted versus what will require creative funding mechanisms to become a reality.
Ten years ago, the Park District of Highland Park introduced GreenPrint, a transformative parks and recreation master plan that shaped the future of open spaces, facilities, and programs in Highland Park. With community input, collaboration, and strategic investment, the initiatives outlined in the plan were implemented over the last ten years, enhancing parks, recreation facilities, and open spaces throughout the district. This accomplishment reflects a strong commitment to delivering on long-term priorities and setting a solid foundation for future planning efforts.
Now, a decade later, it’s time to reassess, refine, and reimagine what comes next.
The New GreenPrint Master Plan will build upon the success of the original plan while incorporating new insights, priorities, and emerging needs.
This process has involved robust community engagement, a fresh analysis of parks, facilities, and programs, and a clear roadmap for future investments—ensuring that Highland Park’s facilities, parks, and programs continue to serve residents for years to come.
We invite you to be a part of it!
Cast your vote today! Our very own Rosewood Beach is in the running for American Shore & Beach Preservation Association (ASBPA) 100th Anniversary Best of the Best Restored Beach Award.
In 2016, following the opening of the newly restored Rosewood Beach, the American Shore & Beach Preservation Association (ASBPA) named Rosewood Beach a winner of its annual Best Restored Beach Award. Fast forward to today, in celebration of its 100th anniversary, the ASBPA is looking for America to vote on the Best of the Best Restored Beaches. Rosewood Beach is once again a contender.
We’re so proud to see our beach be recognized as one of the nation’s top restored beaches. Voting is open now through October. Let’s show some love for Rosewood Beach!
Location: West Ridge Center (636 Ridge Road)
Whisk the morning away with us in this delicious Valentine’s Day-inspired class — come in clothes that can get messy, and be prepared to have a fun-filled morning with your little one!
Registration is per child, and all children must be accompanied by a non-registered adult.
Ages 3-5 with an Adult
Price: $15/18 (Resident/Non-Resident)
Location: Centennial Ice Arena (3100 Trail Way)
Grab your love or your bestie and go on a skate date! Whether you’re an experienced skater or a beginner, our rink is the perfect place to glide, twirl, and create unforgettable memories.
Price: $7 | With skates: $11
Location: Park Fitness (1207 Park Avenue West)
Join your friends and neighbors in a FREE yoga class overlooking the natural beauty of The Preserve of Highland Park! Open to all levels. Class is led by rotating instructors who bring their own unique style. Instructor schedules will be updated weekly on our website.
This is a drop-in class. No registration required! We encourage you to arrive a few minutes early to check in. Late arrivals will not be admitted once class begins
*Participants under 18 must have their parent sign a waiver.
Ages: 13+
FREE
Location: Club Pickle & Padel (2205 Skokie Valley Road)
Celebrate Valentine’s season on the courts! Join us for a fun evening of a mixed doubles pickleball tournament. Must sign up with a partner (all pairings must be one man and one woman). Enjoy great matches, a festive atmosphere, and plenty of laughs to kick off the holiday of love pickleball style.
Level: 3.5+
Price: $25/player ($50/team)
Location: Heller Nature Center (2821 Ridge Road)
Join us at Heller Nature Center for a romantic bonfire and candle-lit walk on our beautiful winter trails. Each participant will receive a gourmet s’mores kit. We’ll have two cozy fires to warm your hearts and your marshmallows! Walk our wintry trails, illuminated by glowing luminaries, find conversation hearts, and get to know your partner all over again!
Pre-registration required. All participants must register for the program. This is an adults-only event. Program is outdoors so please dress for the weather.
Ages 18+
Price: $14
Program is full!
Location: Rosewood Beach (883 Sheridan Road)
Drop the kids off at Rosewood Beach Interpretive Center to explore science and nature with our naturalists, while you enjoy a nice dinner or anything else you might have planned for Valentine’s Day. We’ll create glowing experiments and crafts, to have our very own glow party. We’ll even feed them pizza!
Pre-registration required. This is a drop-off program, so parents are not required to register or attend.
Ages 5-12
Price: $28
Deer Creek Racquet Club celebrated an exciting milestone this past weekend (January 31–February 2) as 13-year-old Maya Keller made club history at a Level 4 USTA tournament in Chicago.
Competing in the Girls 14 & Under division, Maya became the first Deer Creek Racquet Club junior player to win a Level 4 USTA event! She is currently ranked 8th in Chicago and 16th in the Midwest, and this achievement marks another step forward in her tennis journey.
We’re incredibly proud of Maya and look forward to seeing what’s next!
JANUARY 14 MASTER PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING
The Lakota Group reviewed the presentation which will be shared at the Community Open House.
JANUARY 14 WORKSHOP MEETING OF THE PARK BOARD
Staff reviewed the purpose of establishing an ADA Committee, its structure and member responsibilities, committee operations, and the committee’s goals for 2026.
Staff provided construction updates for the New Facility and Site Improvements at West Ridge Park.
The Park Board of Commissioners approved the Executive Director’s total compensation including salary, vehicle allowance, bonus, health insurance, vacation, and sick days effective January 1, 2026.
JANUARY 20 FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING
PMA Financial Network provided a presentation on future financing opportunities for the Park District.
Staff reviewed the updated services for the addendum to the L6 Technology IT Support Services Agreement and the Ordinance Amending the Appropriation Ordinance for the 2025 fiscal year.
JANAURY 21 REGULAR MEETING OF THE PARK BOARD
A public hearing was held for the 2026 budget.
The Park Board of Commissioners approved an Addendum to the L6 Technology IT Support Services Agreement, Ordinance 2026-02: An Ordinance Amending the Appropriation Ordinance for the Fiscal Year Beginning January 1, 2025 and Ending on December 31, 2025, the 2026 Budget and 2026 Budget and Appropriation Ordinance (2026-02) for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026, and the Total Base Bid from YOUnyted LLC for the 2026 New West Ridge Community Center Furniture Bid in the amount of $176,314.00 and authorize the Executive Director to enter into an agreement.
Resident John Cooper, owner of 2700 Point Lane, submitted a proposal for City of Highland Park consideration to permit property tours as a special use. The proposed “Experience Greatness” program aims to inspire personal transformation through themes of mindset, action, and service, offering mentorship to youth from all economic backgrounds. The proposal seeks a partnership with Heller Nature Center as the access point, including a small trail extension, funding for improvements, shuttle service, and insurance coverage. The partnership would provide financial support, program integration, and event access for the Park District.
The Park Board of Commissioners will explore the possibility of collaborating with Champions Point.
Staff presented the 2025 marketing and advertising projects and accomplishments that support the Park District of Highland Park and the Parks Foundation of Highland Park.
The Park Board of Commissioners released the July 30, 2025 Closed Session Meeting minutes for public inspection. The Closed Session Meeting minutes from October 08, 2025, October 22, 2025, November 12, 2025, November 19, 2025, December 09, 2025, and December 17, 2025; shall not be released for public inspection since the need for confidentiality still exists as to all or part of those minutes.
Last weekend, our Park District of Highland Park Competitive Gymnasts competed in the Linda’s Island Adventure meet in Waukegan, IL.
In an exciting milestone for our program, this meet marked our very first Xcel competition at the Xcel Gold level, and our athletes rose to the occasion in a big way. Shay Kessel delivered a standout performance, earning 1st place on beam and an impressive 4th place All-Around. These results reflect the hard work, dedication, and growth our gymnasts and coaches have put into this new program.
We were also thrilled to see our Level 3s compete in their first meet of the season, showing confidence and determination throughout the day. Marley Rosen, Gabby Vega, and Zoey Haycock left it all on the floor! Zoey had a great showing, finishing 7th on bars and 8th on floor, and all of our Level 3 athletes performed strongly as they kicked off their season. This meet was a major moment for our program, and we couldn’t be prouder of how our gymnasts represented us—this is just the beginning of something special!
The National Weather Service has issued an extreme cold warning in effect for our area from 3am to noon on Friday, January 23, with expected wind chills as low at 30 to 40 degrees below zero. Due to these conditions, the following Park District schedules have been revised for Friday, January 23:
Special activities are planned for the day including:
Before heading out, remember that dangerously cold wind chills could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 10 minutes. To keep you and your family safe, prepare in advance for the cold weather by following these recommendations from the National Weather Service.
For information on warming shelters in Highland Park visit the City website or call the non-emergency public safety line at 847-432-7730.
Please stay safe!
I grew up in Elkhart, Indiana, a small town about 2.5 hours east of Highland Park. After college, I headed back to Elkhart and spent a little over five years as a naturalist with the county parks. Eventually, I moved to Detroit to finish grad school, then joined the University of Michigan’s Student Life Sustainability team. There, I got to collaborate with students, faculty, and staff on making campus life a little greener. I left that position to move closer to my family, including my parents, who now live in the Chicago suburbs too!
I don’t have one specific memory that sparked my love for nature, it’s more like a collection of moments spent outside with my grandparents growing up. In the summers, I’d visit my dad’s parents in Chicago, where their city-sized backyard overflowed with plants. My grandma always let me dig in the dirt and help with her garden, and I loved every second of it. Back home in Elkhart, my mom’s parents lived just down the road. I visited almost every day after school, exploring the property, half of which was left undeveloped, full of the perfect climbing trees and what felt like a million lightning bugs in the summer.
What I love most about working in nature is the sense of connection it brings to the land, to the seasons, etc. I especially enjoy finding and sharing moments of nature in places where people might not expect them, like dense cities or suburban green spaces.
I’m an ordained minister. It started as an inside joke with friends, but word got out, and I have performed three weddings so far.
I love the sense of pride and connection from the Heller regulars! With that, I wish more people in the community knew what a gem the property is, not just for the great programs, but for all of the self-guided adventures it offers!
I love exploring nature outside of work, but I also enjoy indoor activities like reading, watching movies, going to concerts, and spending time with friends and family.
If I could be any animal for a day, I’d probably choose the American beaver. I love to swim, I love trees, and I try to live as sustainably as possible, just like beavers! Exploring a forest, swimming along a river, and creating vital wetland habitats. Sounds like a perfect day!
Winter does not have to keep you indoors! In this episode of Wild Insights, Mark shares practical, expert tips for staying warm while enjoying the outdoors during the coldest months of the year.