On Tuesday, March 12, the Park District of Highland Park celebrated the Jeff Fox Field Groundbreaking at Larry Fink Memorial Park.
The new state-of-the art field will more than triple the number of usable hours of the field each year and reduce the cost of maintenance by more than 50% every year over its projected 10-year lifespan. Hundreds of hours of play are lost each year due to flooding of the current field.
This project is part of a larger Park District Athletic Fields Master Plan, which includes long-term plans to renovate the athletic fields at Larry Fink Park, Danny Cunniff Park and Sunset Woods Park. The Park Board approved naming the new ballpark Jeff Fox Field, after longtime Highland Park resident Jeff Fox. It’s a wonderful story of how much the park, especially baseball, meant to Jeff and his family. You can read it here.
The $1.02 million project is fund with $500,000 from the Park District’s Capital Fund and the remainder from community donations through the Giants Athletic Boosters, an affiliate of the Parks Foundation of Highland Park. The new field is anticipated to be completed in Summer 2024. Learn more about the project here.
Architects, Holabird and Root Staff reviewed the schematic designs for the New Community Center at West Ridge Park. The schematic design includes two key elements the development of the site master plan and how the new building correlates to the site.
Staff are working with architects and engineers to develop design and engineering service agreements for the Lot 3 Paddle Facility. Architects Woodhouse Tinucci would develop and engineer the interior structure and Gewalt Hamilton will develop and engineer the site and utility infrastructures.
At least every 5 years the Park Board of Commissioners formally reviews the District’s ADA Transition Plan and at least every 10 years the Park Board will formally approve a new ADA Transition Plan. The Park District’s most recently reviewed this plan with the Park Board in 2019 and an ADA audit was last completed in 2010 by Recreation Accessibility Consultants. Staff provided a project overview and reviewed the proposal from WT Group for the 2024 ADA Accessibility Audit and Transition Plan.
Staff provided a construction project update for the Sunset Woods Park Improvements.
Staff reviewed proposed revisions and new additions to the FT and PT Employee Personnel Policy Manual, new additions include a wellness policy and incorporating the adopted Park District Values.
Staff reviewed the 2023 preliminary Cost Center financial results.
Staff reviewed the 2023 fourth quarter financials for the Recreation Center of Highland Park.
It was the consensus of the Finance Committee to place the bid from US Commercial Diving on the consent agenda at the February 28, 2024 Regular Meeting of the Park Board.
Staff reviewed the Ten-Year Funding Model for the Capital Plan and the scheduled debt issuances.
The Park Board of Commissioners approved Policy 7.14 Social Media Policy to the Policy Manual, Adding the Mission, Vision, Values Statements to the Full-Time/Part-Time Personnel Policy Manuals, Changes to Policy 4.3 Access to Personnel Files to the Full-Time/Part-Time Personnel Policy Manuals, Changes to Policy 8.5 Bereavement Leave Full-Time Personnel Policy Manual, Policy 8.11 Wellness Policy to the Part-Time Personnel Policy Manual, Policy 8.15 Wellness Policy to the Full-Time Personnel Policy Manual, Changes to Policy 10.3 Illinois Victims’ Economic Security and Safety Act (VESSA) to the Full-Time/Part-Time Personnel Policy Manuals, Changes to Policy 10.7 Blood Donation Leave to the Full-Time Personnel Policy Manual, the Emergency Evacuation Agreement North Shore School District 112, the 2024 Park Avenue Dredging Project Bid, the 2024 ADA Accessibility Audit and Transition Plan.
Staff secured a dome supplier through Sourcewell, a Cooperative Purchasing Advantage, to replace the dome located at Lot 3. Staff reviewed the proposal from Air Structures American Technologies, INC (ASATI) along with the dome structure details and the conceptual floor plans.
Staff provided an annual report for Heller Nature Center and the Rosewood Interpretive Center comparing budgeted vs actual programming revenues, expenses, and participant utilization.
The Park Board of Commissioners met in Closed Session under Section 2(c)1: The employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees, specific individuals who serve as independent contractors in a park, recreational, or educational setting, or specific volunteers of the public body or legal counsel for the public body.
The Park Board of Commissioners approved the Executive Director’s Compensation effective January 1, 2024.
At this year’s Parks Foundation of Highland Park Champion’s Gala, on Saturday, April 13, the Park District of Highland Park is honoring three outstanding coaches with special awards.
Pere Berkowitz, Volunteer Coach of the Year
Tori Rowe, Coach of the Year
Kimmie DiNicola, Liza McElroy Legacy Award
Each of these exceptional individuals deserves to be recognized by the community for the work they have done to grow their Baseball, Gymnastics, and Figure Skating teams. They motivate team members to live the values of our Park District and be Welcoming, Caring, and Extraordinary every day! They consistently go above and beyond, and are a positive influence on their players, students, parents, our staff, and the community.
It is with great pride that we share their stories with you, and we look forward to the Champions Gala on April 13 when we can present them with the awards they so richly deserve. (Click on the photos to read their stories)
Learn more about the Champions Gala and purchase tickets, click here>>
She does it with the greatest of ease. And if your daughter thinks that’s just the best thing ever, then the Gymnastics Program at the Park District of Highland Park, with Tori Rowe, is where you want her to train.
As a kid and a teenager Tori Rowe loved being a competitive gymnast. “I was really proud of that,” she said, “It was my entire life growing up.” You can hear how happy it makes her to talk about it. Growing up in Wauconda, Tori trained at a gym in Mundelein. Her first job while in high school was coaching gymnastics, and Tori continued coaching whenever she came home on breaks from college—graduating with a degree in Psychology. “I have a lot of Early Childhood and Child Development in my background,” she said, including teaching preschool at the Wauconda Park District. She always saw herself as a teacher, which of course she is, although she adds “not in the traditional sense”. We know she’s a great teacher, and the simple proof is the success of her teams. “Child Psychology is really my jam!” Tori said. The words just flew out and landed perfectly. We know, and so do her team member’s parents, just how important that kind of knowledge is when you’re responsible for guiding young girls through the hard physical and mental aspects of being a competitive gymnast. Especially with the omnipresent impact of social media in their lives. More on that later.
Tori was our Gymnastics Coordinator and Coach at Centennial Arena from 2016 to 2018. She came back as our Gymnastics Coordinator and Team Head Coach in September of 2022. “It felt like I would be able to do much more for the program this time as the Coordinator and Head Coach, although I’m still coaching quite a bit,” she said, with just a bit of a laugh. Last year Tori coached the Level 3 team, and this year she is coaching the Level 3 and Level 4 teams. Under her leadership, the team grew from 5 girls to 12 in just one year. There are now 8 gymnasts successfully competing at Level 3, and 4 at Level 4. “It’s such a proud moment for me watching them compete and then seeing them up there on the podium because I’ve been there. I know how it feels, and now I get to enjoy that from another place as their coach. It’s an amazing thing.” There’s a very special coach/friend relationship that Tori has developed with her gymnasts. Everyone sees it. But with that come the tough conversations about balancing life with practice, and moving from the non-competitive Pre-Team to compete at Level 3, and up again to Level 4. Tori has those conversations with her team, and also with parents. “I will literally plop myself down at a table in the lobby to talk with a parent about their gymnast. It’s important.”
That’s also why Tori is so important to us, and why we are thrilled to be able to tell you a small part of her story.
“What you consume every day is not just food for your body,” is something Tori tells her gymnasts. That’s brilliant. It leads into the larger discussions of physical and mental health that are so important for teenage girls. “When they say, ‘I’m tired’ after the first few weeks of the season, then we sit down and talk about what are you eating before and after practice, and good nutrition in general, but also sleep hygiene, getting proper rest, and where is your phone at night.” (OK parents… where is your phone at night?) “I ask them what kind of media are you consuming, and are your friendships meaningful and supportive, because all of that is critically important to their overall well-being.” Having Tori as a coach gives these gymnasts more than the skills they need to compete. She teaches them life skills that they carry with them back to their families, to school, and to the community. Tori is one of those people that makes us all better. We love that about her.
Ask the Centennial staff, her gymnasts, and their parents and you’ll hear “She always encourages me to be the best I can be,” and “Tori truly cares about each girl.” While gymnastics is an individual sport, what Tori has built and continues to grow is very much a team effort. “We win team medals, too!” We’re all about that at your Park District. Be the best you can be, and make sure your teammates are, too.
Congratulations, Tori Rowe, Coach of the Year! You embody everything we know is good about the community of Highland Park. All of us here are honored to know you and work with you. Above all, we are so happy to call you our friend.
At the heart of the Park District is where you’ll find Pere Berkowitz, our Volunteer Coach of the Year. His is a story of playing sports around the world and bringing those lessons to the young baseball players in our leagues.
How does a kid from Upper Saddle River, New Jersey, go from playing baseball for Bergen Township to playing semipro rugby in South Africa? “Sports was always really important in my life,” said Pere Berkowitz, the U11 Baseball Head Coach. “Growing up, I was a three-sport athlete—football, baseball, and wrestling—and I played some basketball, too.” OK, we get the picture. After high school came college at UMass Amherst where Pere did a little wrestling, but now rugby was really his thing. After college, in 1998, Pere went to South Africa to play semi-pro rugby. You know rugby is a pretty tough sport, right? Well, it’s also in the DNA of South Africans, and this was just 3 years after the historic 1995 win by their famous national team. So South Africa was clearly the place to play rugby then. About a year later, Pere moved to Chicago to play for the Chicago Lions, a rugby club that was founded in 1964 and is still one of the premier clubs in the country. Named for the Art Institute lions, by the way. “I lived in the clubhouse, and a few other places, and when I got married my wife and I lived in Bucktown.” Pere was working in marketing for Baxter then, and when their first son, Benjamin, was born it was time for a larger place, closer to work. They fell in love with the Highland Park community, and have been here ever since. Pere spent some time in marketing at Medline, and for the past seven years has been VP of Marketing for Fresenius Kabi. The family grew. Benjamin is now 16, Phoebe is 14, and Jacob just turned 12.
When Benjamin joined the Park District’s Sandlot Sluggers baseball program, Pere was recruited to be a volunteer coach. “Sports was such a big part of my life, and I love being with my kids, so signing on as a volunteer coach was just a natural thing.” We know Pere was perfect for the job because in 2016 he was handed the District’s first-ever Volunteer Coach of the Year award. “It’s felt really good when I was given that first award, and now to be honored with it after my final season coaching U11 is just incredibly rewarding.” Final season? “Parent volunteers coach because they love being with their kids, and then they get personally invested in the other kids on the team, their families, and the community, ” Pere explained. “And as long as your kids are OK with that, you keep going. Now is the perfect time to step back and let Jacob be a part of the U12 team without Dad as the coach.” We get that. But what about being at the games? “I’ll be the one cheering incredibly loudly from the sidelines!” Yeah, we hear you.
Sports, especially team sports, give kids, and teens a way to stay healthy physically and mentally. At your Park District, our coaches also bring their experiences and teach their athletes life skills to take with them out into the world. Not everyone will take them to South Africa, but they will take them back to our community, their family, and later to their job. Some of the best staff members and young coaches we have come out of our Park District programs. Pere’s son Benjamin now works with Mike Divincenzo right here in our sports programs. He went from Sandlot Slugger to coach. That’s what we’re all about.
Pere has great stories to tell. You should catch up with him on the sidelines and enjoy one or two. He gave us some simple words for players to live by, and we’ll pass them on here. “Never give up.” Good one. “Always keep a positive attitude.” That makes us smile. He has a three-fold approach for coaches.
Simple enough. It certainly worked for Pere, his kids, and his players.
All of us will be cheering with Pere on the sidelines this year. But now, we’re cheering for him as we say Congratulations, Pere Berkowitz, our Park District’s Volunteer Coach of the Year!
Kimmie DiNicola is cool. Hard working. And maybe just a bit lucky. She’s doing exactly what she has always wanted to do from the time she was a little girl, and not everyone gets to live their life that way. Kimmie is happy. She’s a joy to talk to — and you should, if you get the chance — especially when she’s talking about ice. Smooth, new ice. Early morning ice that’s clear, cold, and just waiting to be cut into by the blades of her figure skates. Kimmie DiNicola lives and breathes ice skating, and we are so fortunate that she has been our coach for the past 28 years at the Park District of Highland Park.
And now — drum roll please — Kimmie DiNicola is this year’s Lisa McElroy Legacy Award winner for Coach of the Year!
Kimmie’s life on the ice began when she was a youngster growing up in Highland Park, where her dad was a firefighter. Centennial Ice Arena was, and is, her home ice. Was she a park district kid, like so many of us? Sure… but it was really all about skating. For those who find their passion early on — Yo-Yo Ma at age 4 comes to mind — the hours spent practicing feel like minutes. You don’t watch the clock, because there’s never enough time in the day to do what you truly love.
Figure skating was paramount all the way until high school, where there was no rink. No skating coach. No figure skating team at Stevenson in Buffalo Grove. But there was a Dance Team, and Kimmie was a natural choreographer. The sparkle of the ice turned into the glitter of costumes and performing on stage, and carried her through high school. All good. But when you have a passion for something it won’t take a back seat, and the day after she turned 15, Kimmie walked into Centennial and asked for a job as an ice skating instructor. At the Park District, 15 was the magic number. She was hired on the spot and started teaching tot classes. For the first year and a half, she also shadowed the more experienced instructors, learning all about ability levels and technique. Best of all, she was on the ice, creating and choreographing routines, picking costumes, steering and cheering on the next generation of figure skaters to be the best they could.
Is being a figure skating coach a career? Her parents didn’t think it was. College was mandatory for success in life, so off to college it was. At Columbia, Kimmie got her degree in Linguistics. (Remember the hard worker part of the story?) And now, she could go back to being a figure skating coach. Not quite. A degree was a good start, but her parents said a Master’s was required for real success. Kimmie’s Master’s degree from National Louis University is in Language Arts, which opened up a wonderful job using her sign language skills as a school interpreter. Still, there were those summer breaks on the ice, coaching at Centennial. Then, because she really did love being in school, Kimmie went to North Park University and graduated with a two-year Nursing degree. That’s also cool.
Jumping ahead in our story just a bit, in 2001 Kimmie worked at Highland Park Hospital, bringing all her skills to that critically important job, and finding “love in the ER” when she met her husband Jon, who is a firefighter and Emergency Room Tech at the hospital. In the movies, that’s the happy ending.
But passion is a hard thing to ignore, and the ice is, after all, her passion.
Kimmie and Jon have two children, Dominic, 13, and Gianna, 11. Do they skate? “Since they were 18 months old,” said Kimmie. Dominic plays hockey. Gianna spent a year as a figure skater. “One day, she came to me and said ‘Mom, I love figure skating, but I want to play hockey with my brother.’” And… she does. Of course she does.
Last year, Kimmie took on another challenge and became the Competition Director for the North Shore Winter Classic Competition. Ice, camera, action. Costumes, glitter, organization! Under her leadership, the Winter Classic became the standout skating competition in the area. Sounds like destiny to us.
In nominating Kimmie for the Liza McElroy Award, her supervisor said “… she is the heartbeat of our skating community. Her tireless efforts, passion, and ability to create a supportive and welcoming environment have significantly contributed to the success and growth of our program.” Truer words have never been spoken.
We are grateful, and honored to have Kimmie DiNicola lead our young skaters onto the ice at Centennial, and into a future where they will remember what it looks like, how it feels, and how important it is to always follow your passion.
From all of us at the Park District: Congratulations, Kimmie!
Young and aspiring hockey players – girls and boys, ages 6 and up – are invited to skate with members of the Highland Park Giants Hockey team on Monday, February 19 from 11am-noon at Centennial Ice Arena.
Attendees will have a chance to enter a drawing to win public skating passes, or a skating class at Centennial Ice Arena.
Sponsored by the Garrett Collopy Foundation
Centennial Ice Arena (3100 Trail Way)
Event is free (includes skates).
We are thrilled to announce the newest addition to the Recreation Center Fitness Club repertoire – Pilates Reformer machines! As part of our ongoing commitment to providing diverse and effective workout options, we have introduced these state-of-the-art machines to enhance your fitness journey. Dive in to find out what makes reformers the hot new trend in Fitness!
The Pilates Reformer is a versatile exercise equipment that facilitates Pilates movements and exercises. It consists of a carriage that moves back and forth along tracks within a frame, providing resistance through a system of springs and straps. This dynamic equipment allows various exercises, catering to all fitness levels and targeting multiple muscle groups.
Health Benefits of Pilates Reformer Workouts:
Pilates Reformer workouts engage multiple muscle groups simultaneously, promoting balanced strength development. The resistance provided by the springs helps build lean muscle without the bulk, contributing to a toned and sculpted physique.
The Pilates Reformer allows for fluid, controlled movements that promote flexibility. Regular use can enhance joint mobility and reduce the risk of injuries by improving your range of motion.
Core strength is at the core of Pilates, and the reformer is an excellent tool for strengthening the muscles around the abdomen, lower back, and pelvis. Enhanced core stability translates to better balance and posture in daily activities.
Pilates Reformer workouts are gentle on the joints, making them suitable for individuals of all ages and fitness levels. The low-impact nature of the exercises reduces the risk of strain or injury, making it an ideal option for rehabilitation and injury prevention.
Pilates emphasizes mindfulness and concentration during workouts. Focusing on controlled movements, breathing, and precision fosters a solid mind-body connection, promoting mental well-being and stress relief.
Pilates Reformer workouts can be tailored to meet your specific needs and goals, whether you’re a beginner or an advanced fitness enthusiast. The adjustable resistance levels and various exercise possibilities ensure a personalized and challenging experience.
We invite you to experience the benefits of Pilates Reformer workouts at the Recreation Center Fitness Club. Our experienced instructors are ready to guide you through invigorating sessions that cater to your fitness level and goals.
Pilates Reformer training – your path to a healthier, stronger, and more balanced lifestyle begins now at the Recreation Center Fitness Club!
Sign up for Pilates Reformer training in-person at the Recreation Center Fitness Club (1207 Park Ave W.) or online.
Get In, Get Fit, Get Happy!
Staff reviewed the proposed concept and financial terms for the Concessionaire License Agreement with Madden Concepts, LLC for Sunset Valley Golf Club.
Staff reviewed the terms and funding model for Paddle Facility Reservation Agreement, which permits UPP Paddles, LLC, to sell paddles, related products, and branded attire manufactured in the Paddle Facility located at 2205 Skokie Valley Road, Highland Park, IL 60035.
Staff reviewed the proposed changes to the Second Amendment to the Lot Three (3) Lease Agreements by and between the City of Highland park and the Park District since the Donor Agreement includes a contingency that the Lease Agreement be amended so that the term cannot be terminated without cause during the Term of the Donor Agreement. Staff reviewed the changes to the terms and the funding model for the dome.
The Park Board of Commissioners approved the Sunset Valley Golf Club Restaurant Concessionaire License Agreement, a Paddle Facility Reservation Agreement, and the Second Amendment to Lot 3 Lease Agreement by and Between the City of Highland Park and the Park District of Highland Park.
Staff reviewed the proposed updates to the Intergovernmental Agreement between the North Shore School District 112 and the Park District which outlines mutual use and maintenance of School District and Park District Facilities.
Staff reviewed the bid openings for the Preserve of Highland Park Compton Trail Connection Project and provided a bid recommendation.
Staff provided construction updates for the Park Avenue North project, Deer Creek Racquet Club Parking Lot project, the New Community Center at West Ridge Park, and the Saslow Restricted Donation Agreement/Pickleball Dome project at 2205 Skokie Valley Road.
A public hearing was held for the 2024 budget.
The Park Board of Commissioners approved 2024 The Preserve of Highland Park Compton Avenue Trail Connection Bid, the Second Amendment to the Intergovernmental Agreement with NSSD112, Ordinance 2024-02 Authorizing and Providing for the Conveyance or Sale of Surplus Personal Property, the Second Amendment to Lot 3 Lease Agreement By and Between The City of Highland Park and the Park District of Highland Park, and Ordinance 2024-01: Combined Budget and Appropriation Beginning January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024.
Staff provided an end of season report for Highland Park Golf Learning Center comparing budgeted vs actual revenues, expenses, and utilization.
The Park Board of Commissioners released the Closed Session Minutes from the July 26, 2023 Regular Meeting. The Closed Session minutes from September 13, 2023 Workshop Meeting, September 27, 2023 Regular Meeting, October 25, 2023 Regular Meeting, November 8, 2023 Workshop Meeting, December 6, 2023 Workshop Meeting, December 13, 2023 Regular Meeting; shall not be released for public inspection since the need for confidentiality still exists as to all or part of those minutes.
The Park District of Highland Park was awarded $528,500 through the Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) grant program administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to improve Lincoln Park. The OSLAD grant is a state-funded program providing up to 50% of the project costs for public park and recreation projects.
The Park District heard the neighborhood’s concerns about losing the recreational amenities provided by the Lincoln School property. With the grant funding, the Park District can implement the community-requested addition of a 5-12 playground and replace and enhance Lincoln Park’s existing amenities.
The scope of the project adjusts the park layout and includes:
The community will be able to participate in the design process beginning this summer (2024). Construction is expected to start in the summer of 2025.
Join the Parks Foundation of Highland Park for its sixth annual “Champions Gala and Charity Auction” featuring guest speaker Lance Briggs, 12-Year Chicago Bears Linebacker & Seven-Time Pro Bowl Selection. Enjoy a glamorous evening of signature cocktails from our open bar, phenomenal hors d’oeuvres, and a live and online auction!
Every year, hundreds of Highland Park and Highwood kids participate in Park District programs to become champions at making friends, building skills, and appreciating the joy of recreation. The Champions Gala celebrates the dedicated coaches and teachers who deliver these great experiences for our community’s youth with a memorable evening and raises funds for the Parks Foundation of Highland Park.
Lance Briggs had a wildly successful 12-year NFL career, spent entirely with the Chicago Bears. Briggs was a seven-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro. Eight times he recorded over 100 tackles in a season. Briggs was also a vital cog in the Bears team that reached Super Bowl XLI and he finished with a game-high 13 total tackles. Chicago originally selected him in the third round of the 2003 NFL Draft out of Arizona. He was a three-time All-Pac 10 First Team performer for the Wildcats.
In retirement, Briggs has served as an analyst for NBC Chicago. He is also an avid, lifelong comic book fan and co-created his own graphic novel, The Trap. Briggs is known for his philanthropic contributions, particularly through his foundation, Briggs4Kidz, and his commitment to mentoring youth through non-contact football camps across Illinois, Arizona, and Northern California. His impact both on and off the field solidifies his legacy as a revered figure in Chicago sports history.
Participate in the Champions Gala online auction including extravagant trips, luxury dining experiences, tickets to sporting events, one-of-a-kind sports memorabilia, private wine parties, golf packages and more.
All proceeds benefit the Parks Foundation of Highland Park, a 501c3 non-profit providing scholarships to ensure that all Highwood and Highland Park families can participate in Park District programs, and supporting and enhancing exceptional Park District projects.
We sat down this week to chat with Emily, Riley, and Campbell, skating instructors at Centennial Ice Arena who have skated there since early childhood. Their enthusiasm – for skating, teaching, and the Centennial community at large – is palpable. The three teens’ passion goes beyond the sport itself; their love for skating is inseparable from the deep camaraderie they have found at Centennial. For them and many others, Centennial is more than just an ice rink – it’s a home away from home.
Riley: “Coaches have helped form my teaching methods. They help walk you through things and they’re very communicative.”
Campbell: “Since we’re all skaters, when we’re teaching, we know how the kids feel.”
Riley: “Seeing kids grow – not only kids you teach but other kids around the rink. It’s really rewarding to see not only yourself grow but also your community grow.”
Campbell: “It’s nice to see the whole community come together.”
Emily: “The coaches at this rink have encouraged us to be friends with each other, and without them we wouldn’t have these bonds for life.”
Riley: “I was able to create new friendships because of skating. I fell in love with the sport when I could see my own progress – and I wanted it not only for myself but also to help others.”
Emily: “When I found my own support group at the rink, it pushed me because I had people who wanted me to succeed. It helped a lot.”
Campbell: “This is my safe space – to those Gilmore Girls fans, it’s like Stars Hollow. It’s such a nice community.”
Riley: “Every day is like a warm fuzzy moment here. Everyone is so sweet. Everyone is here to cheer us on.”
Emily: “The world of figure skating can be very cutthroat, but I feel like here it’s very welcoming and everyone wants you to succeed.”
Riley: “If I have a good day here, I have a good day for the rest of the week.”
Riley: “Do it because you love it.”
Emily: “Figure skating is like life in general. You fall, you get up, there are peaks and valleys. It’s not always going to be rainbows and sunshine – it matters how much work you put in.”
Campbell: “Putting in the effort for the long run. Practice makes perfect.”
Riley: “What motivates me most is the progress I’ve seen within myself. My coaches are super understanding, and my coach pushes me to better in a nurturing way. I wouldn’t have gotten this far without my friends by my side. When I have a really bad day, they’re here to make me feel better. Putting in effort whether it’s a good or bad day makes those days great.”
Emily: “Friends and coaches. If I’m skating on my own, one of my coaches might skate past me and say good job or give me a helpful reminder, and that keeps me motivated.”
Campbell: “The community keeps me motivated.”
Riley: “Maybe I’ll have a really bad day at school, but I’ll come here, and my friends will make me laugh and it will make me feel better about things. It’s a safe space.”
Riley: “Centennial has a great community. Everyone knows each other – I’m friends with everyone from the little kids who just started skating to the people who have been here for years. Everyone knows each other and people say hi. That healthy supportive community keeps people wanting to skate.”
Emily: “I don’t feel the same at other rinks as I do here. If I’m skating at another rink, I’ll think ‘I’d rather be at Centennial.’”
Riley: “It’s way warmer here than all the other rinks – (Emily) “literally and figuratively. Warmer and fuzzier in every sense.”
The Restricted Donor Agreement with Ron Saslow for the Enterprise Property Improvement Plan at 2205 Skokie Valley Road (Lot 3) is still being negotiated.
Staff reviewed the renewal terms for the 2024 License Agreement with the North Shore Yacht Club.
Staff provided project updates for Park Avenue North, the New Community Center at West Ridge Park, Port Clinton and Old Elm Park Playgrounds, and the Preserve of Highland Park Compton Avenue Trail Connection.
Staff reviewed the preliminary plans for the events planned July 4, 2024 based on discussions held between the City of Highland Park and the Park District.
Staff reviewed the 2024 Budget and Ordinance 2023-10, An Ordinance Amending the Appropriation Ordinance for Fiscal Year 2023.
The Finance Committee recommended the Park Board of Commissioners approve the agreement with Lakes and Rivers Contracting to the Park Avenue Boating Facility South Parking Lot Restoration project, the agreement with Stuckey Construction for the Larry Fink Memorial Park Baseball Field Improvements project, the agreement with Absolute Home Improvements for the Hidden Creek AquaPark Pool Shell Maintenance project, the Change Order for the Hidden Creek AquaPark Concrete Desk Replacement, and the agreement with Gewalt Hamilton Associates, Inc. for the Deer Creek Racquet Club Parking Lot Engineering proposal.
Staff are meeting with the City of Highland Park to discuss extending the termination rights for the Second Amendment to the Lot 3 Lease Agreement.
The Decennial Committee approved the Park District of Highland Park’s Efficiency Report and authorized Executive Director Romes to submit the report to the Lake County Board.
A public hearing was held for the tax levy ordinance. Staff presented the 2024 proposed budget and the budget and appropriation ordinance.
The Park Board of Commissioners approved Ordinance 2023-03 Naming the Baseball Field at Larry Fink Park the Jeff Fox Baseball Field; Ordinance #2023-09 – Tax Levy for 2023; Ordinance #2023-10 An Ordinance Amending the Appropriation Ordinance for the Fiscal Year Beginning January 1, 2023 and Ending on December 31, 2023; the Deer Creek Racquet Club Parking Lot Engineering Proposal; the Hidden Creek AquaPark Concrete Deck Replacement Change Order; the 2024 Larry Fink Memorial Park Baseball Field Improvements Bid; the 2024 Hidden Creek Aqua Park Pool Shell Maintenance Project Bid; the 2024 Park Avenue Boating Facility South Parking Lot Restoration Bid; the 2024 Highland Park Pops Affiliate Organization Agreement; the 2024 Highland Park Players Affiliate Organization Agreement; the 2024 American Youth Soccer Organization Affiliate Agreement; the 2024 Uptown Music Theater of Highland Park Affiliate Organization Agreement; the 2024 License Agreement between the Park District of Highland Park and the North Shore Yacht Club; and the Restricted Donor Agreement with Ron Saslow at 2205 Skokie Valley Road (Lot 3) with amendments to Section 5B to include the word materially before improve and to replace the word certified with approved.
Staff presented the 2024 Proposed Budget and the Budget and Appropriation Ordinance. It was the consensus of the Park Board of Commissioners to lay the budget down for a period of thirty days so that the public may review and approve. A public hearing for the 2024 budget will be held on January 31, 2024.
Staff provided an end-of-season report for Sunset Valley Golf Club comparing budgeted vs actual revenues, expenses, and utilization.
