An open house was held on May 6, 2023 to discuss the West Ridge Park Building and Site Preliminary Planning Efforts. The preliminary planning study is a direct response to recommendations from the Green Print Master Plan. The study focused on understanding need and the site to develop an approach to address the West Ridge Center. The District welcomes comments to guide future steps. This is the first of many opportunities to collaborate on the project to redevelop the West Ridge Center and Park.

The boards presented at the open house are posted below.

An American tourist in London asked the hotel clerk “How do I get to Wimbledon?” The clerk smiled and said “Practice, sir. Practice.”

Is tennis a team sport? Sometimes. If your child plays doubles, they have a teammate. But if they play singles, their opponent is certainly NOT on their team! Do they make friends playing tennis? Of course! But to win at this competitive sport, players have to bring their best game. That means being physically and mentally prepared every time they step on the court. And that… takes practice. Lots and lots of practice. (The clerk was right about that.)

This summer, at the Deer Creek Racquet Club Tennis Academy, your child can spend several exciting weeks learning, practicing, and loving tennis. Is your young player a beginner? We make sure you know exactly the right size racket to get them. And then we give them enough time to learn how to grip it properly and swing correctly so they have the best approach. We teach the fundamentals. Do they balk at learning rules? They can’t play without them. (Oh, they can TRY to play without them, but won’t play well. And that’s no fun.) Are they an Intermediate player? Great! Our experienced instructors have plenty of exciting shots to teach, and loads of overall game techniques that intermediate players are ready for—and just can’t wait to try. Advanced? Other campers are always happy to get on the court with a good player—so they can volley till their arms fall off. (Now THAT’S fun!)

In addition to connecting your child with lifelong friends and tennis partners, this is a fun game that provides players with some series health benefits.

Physical:

• Builds overall fitness: tennis players get a real workout, no matter what their skill level.
• Strengthens muscles. All of them.
• Builds hand-eye coordination. Important for a good serve. Critical for their overall game.
• Helps overall stability and balance. (And it’s fun to bounce while twirling the racket!)
• Strengthens the immune system. (We know, it’s not the #1 selling point.)
• Raises metabolism. Lowers weight.

Mental:

• Teaches alertness and helps their mental agility: makes them think ahead to the next shot.
• Builds self-confidence and self-esteem.
• Teaches emotional control.

All of that comes together in a terrific Tennis Camp package at the Deer Creek Racquet Club. Get your child in the game and sign up for a summer of fun today. We’ll see them on the court!

A community collaboration supported by Art Impact Project, Park District of Highland Park & The Art Center Highland Park

Knitting Communities Together is an all-ages, multi-town art project aimed at bringing joy, comfort, and camaraderie to the residents of Highland Park and its neighboring communities.   Through the therapeutic and community-building process of knitting, we are calling on residents of Highland Park and the surrounding communities to come together to knit or crochet colorful yarn creations over the course of six weeks, culminating in a colorful and collaborative art installation.

• Knitters and crocheters are encouraged to create 8-12” wide acrylic yarn strips/scarves utilizing bright and varied colors – the more colorful the yarn combinations the better!  To accommodate the variety of tree sizes, varying lengths of strips will be needed (i.e., consider whether the piece would wrap around a tree trunk).
• Drop-in, non-instructional knitting and crochet gatherings are being hosted at the Park District of Highland Park’s West Ridge Center on Monday evenings from May 8–June 19 (excluding Memorial Day) from 6-8pm.
• The Art Center of Highland Park (TAC) will be hosting a free community “Learn to Finger-Knit” class in early June (time/day to be announced).
• Finished materials & yarn donations can be dropped off at Art Impact Project, PDHP West Ridge Center & TAC.
• For ongoing updates and information on the project, join the @KnittingCommunitiesTogether2023 Facebook group. 

• Sunset Woods Park in central Highland Park will exhibit the art installation. 
• The art installation will remain for residents and visitors to enjoy through Labor Day.

Got 15 minutes to improve your outlook on life? Of course you do. Think a simple walk in your local park will make a difference? More and more studies prove that it certainly will.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. With the arrival of warmer weather, greener grass and spring flowers, it’s the perfect time to let nature help you shake off the last of those winter blues. While many of us know about the physical benefits of recreational activities, there are important mental health benefits as well, including controlling stress and anxiety.

One in 5 individuals suffers from a mental health condition within their lifetime. It’s highly likely you know of or know someone who has been affected—even if they haven’t said anything. According to 2017 data from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), more than 46 million people in the U.S. live with mental health illnesses, and mental health concerns increase during the fall and winter holidays, as part of seasonal affective disorder (SAD).

Parks and recreation are vital to mental health and well-being. According to a National Park and Recreation Association’s Park Pulse survey, 93 percent of U.S. adults say that activities offered by their local Park Districts are beneficial to their mental health. Read on to discover ways that you can benefit from all your Park District has to offer.

So… 15 minutes. Really?

Yes. If you can engage in a recreational activity for even that short length of time, the science is on your side. After walking or jogging, playing a game, or working out for even just 15 minutes people reported better mental health results overall—like just being calmer So, if “I just can’t commit myself to hours of__________ “ (fill in the blank) is your go-to reason for not getting started, 15 minutes might just be the tipping point that gets you moving.

Does indoors work better for you? Do it. Are you yearning for some fresh air? Step outside. Your Park District has more than 20 beautiful parks, green spaces, and beaches with over 15 miles of walking paths where you can go and relax for a few minutes each day. It’s easy to find one near you.

A 15-minute stroll through a park is all it takes to quiet your mind, with the increase in oxygen and blood flow through the brain resulting in better concentration, better reasoning, and a general feeling of well-being. A walk in the park has always meant something was easy. Now we know it can also make things easier.

Every day, we’re bombarded with more information than our brains can process. We’re overwhelmed.

Adrenaline and other hormones that you produce in response can help keep you going, but only for a short time. At the Park District, we have lots of things you can do on a regular basis to maintain your balance. We’ll get into details later, but here are just 5 activities that studies show will reduce stress:

• Walking. Worldwide, this is likely the number one thing people do to relieve tension.
• Running. Children do it naturally.
• Yoga. Practicing breath control calms the mind.
• Team Sports. The benefits of physical activity are well known. The benefits of working together, whether it’s on a youth soccer team, an adult softball team, or with a pickleball partner, have now been proven to be just as important to your mental health.
• Exercise. A regular routine can keep you physically fit. It also helps you realize that you’re in control.

All walks (or runs) are not exactly the same.

There is an important difference in where you exercise. Not surprisingly, being surrounded by nature—walking and jogging the trails around Heller Nature Center or The Preserve of Highland Park for instance—proved to have substantially better results than walking or running around town on concrete streets surrounded by buildings. Being in a park, a green space, or a forest was reported as having a much greater effect on someone’s well-being regardless of whether they were strolling, jogging, or doing part of their exercise routine. Walking or running on the treadmill at the Rec Center Fitness Club and looking out at the beautiful vistas of the Preserve can give you the same results.

Yoga: 5,000 years of keeping people healthy.

It’s hard to argue about something that’s been practiced and proven for thousands of years in Eastern cultures, and for hundreds of years here in the West. Your Park District offers a wide variety of yoga classes at the Rec Center Fitness Club and outdoors at the beautiful Rosewood Beach Interpretive Center. Our experts know just how to help you improve your self-awareness and refocus your energy, so stress disappears. Here are 4 calming meditation techniques recommended by yoga instructor Lisa Hodges:

• Progressive muscle relaxation: tense each muscle for a minimum of 5 seconds, and then release. Start either at the top or bottom of the body and work your way up/down.
• Mantra meditation: repeat a calming word, phrase, or sentence. Examples are: “My life is love”, “I am calm and relaxed”, and “Ommmm”.
• Mindful meditation: this uses the technique of focusing on the breath which gives the mind free rein to discover that it is okay to have emotions without doing anything about them.
• Guided meditation: there are meditation classes and apps that are specifically designed to help calm the mind. Lie down or relax in a comfortable chair, listen, focus, and let the meditation do the rest.

Give those a try. Then give us a call and join a class.

Sports for all ages.

According to the National Youth Sports Strategy, published by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the benefits of engaging in regular physical activity are clear: improved bone health, weight status, cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness, cardiometabolic health, cognitive function, and a reduced risk of depression.

They go on: Playing sports can provide additional benefits, including developing competence, confidence, and self-esteem; reducing the risk of suicide, suicidal thoughts and tendencies; and improving life skills, such as goal setting, time management, and work ethic. Sports participation also provides youth with the opportunity to develop social and interpersonal skills, such as teamwork, leadership, and relationship building, and enables youth to benefit from the communal aspect of team sports.

That’s a lot to take in, especially if you’re just looking for a pick-up basketball game. Lucky for you, year-round the Park District has sports teams, leagues, and instruction for almost every game imaginable. Here are 3 recreational sports that you can play at any age, and any skill level:

1. Golf. The Highland Park Golf Learning Center is the perfect place to learn, improve your golf skills, practice your game, and have fun with a club! There’s a driving range with both grass tees and mats, a separate short game practice area, a putting green, and a special area to practice blasting out of those nasty sand traps. Golfers can enjoy the unique British Heathland design of our Sunset Valley Golf Club, which was recently renovated to reflect the character and aesthetic appeal of the golf course’s original 1920s-era architecture. And kids of all ages can enjoy 18-holes of challenging fun every day of the season at River’s Edge Mini Golf Course.
2. Tennis is taught and played throughout the Park District, indoors and outdoors, on hard courts and clay. The nationally recognized Deer Creek Racquet Club hosts tennis and pickleball leagues, lessons for all ages, and summer tennis camps. Beginners and experienced players are all welcome. We also have outdoor tennis courts, pickleball courts, and pickleball/tennis combination courts located in six parks. You’ll find those Roland Garros style clay tennis courts are at Sunset Woods Park.
3. Ice Skating can be enjoyed year-round at Centennial Ice Arena where we are proud of our reputation as a premier regional teaching center. We offer hockey, and freestyle lessons following the Learn to Skate USA® program for all skill levels. We are also a member of U.S. Figure Skating. Recreational outdoor ice skating is open to all in the winter months at Sunset Woods Park.

More great information about the benefits of sports and recreational activity is published in the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. There are some excellent tips in this fun 2-minute video, Move Your Way, and you can use this Move Your Way Activity Planner to help you get started on your journey.

Picking one sport? Pick Pickleball!

Here’s something you might not know about the fastest-growing sport in the country: Pickleball has been an official sport in the Senior Olympics since 2012!

It’s a team sport, but unlike most others where you show up with teammates (or even tennis where you meet your playing partner at the court), Pickleball is much more social—just show up, make new friends, and start a game! Here’s what the science says:

• It’s good for your cardiovascular health, which helps boost brain health.
• It lowers your blood pressure and strengthens cognitive functions.
• It helps your short-term memory, physical and mental balance, and overall motor skills.
• It makes your body produce mood-enhancing chemicals. No wonder you feel better!

This year, the Park District is installing another 10 Pickleball Courts, at Danny Cunniff Park, just to try and keep up with the demand for this popular sport. Get yourself a racquet and get moving!

In addition to the numerous studies and articles supporting the importance of staying active, either indoors or out, there is also recent and significant research about the differences in health benefits that you gain from exercising in the morning and the afternoon. Of course, maintaining any regular exercise routine is better than not working out at all, regardless of when you do it. Now there is increasing evidence that exercising in the morning burns more fat, while exercising in the afternoon can lead to a longer life overall. Specifically, people who exercised between 11:00am and 5:00pm were less likely to die prematurely than those who concentrated their efforts before 11 or after 5. So, if you want to add to the mental health benefits being in parks and green spaces can bring, you can decide if a morning walk or pickleball game that can lower the amount of fat your body stores vs an afternoon outing through the woods or an evening softball game that adds longevity is right for you. The most important thing is to get moving. Do it indoors if you prefer, or step outdoors and start enjoying the beautiful spaces your Park District has. We know you’ll feel better, mentally, and physically.

Because May is Mental Health Awareness Month, we would be remiss if we did not address one of the

most common, and debilitating, mental health issues. Past studies have shown that exercise can have a direct impact on improving depression. Recent larger studies that included walking, running, and strength training—either individually or in a class—concluded that at least 50% of people with depression who exercised in any way significantly improved their symptoms. If you suffer from depression, first talk to your doctor about whether an exercise routine will be good for you. And if it will, we hope you’ll start enjoying walking, jogging, exercising or just being active outdoors where nature will provide a background of trees, flowers, birds, and lots of fresh air—all of which we know will help.

As Parks & Recreation professionals, we’re experts at creating and providing things that help make lives better. We have so much to offer for kids, teens, adults and families to enjoy—programs, events, facilities, parks and green spaces—and everything can help you have more fun! Check out what’s available now and what’s coming up on our website and mobile app. Have a question? Our knowledgeable and super-friendly staff is always ready to talk to you. Take a little time to focus on your mental health this month. We’re sure you’ll find the rest of the year—and the rest of your life—will be better. We all look forward to seeing you soon!

¹ Reprinted with permission from the Oct. 31, 2019 article “How Parks and Recreation Can Support Mental Health Initiatives” by Barbara Heller and Molly Young

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Parks and recreation are vital to mental health and well-being. 

The Park District of Highland Park is proud to join the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) to raise awareness about mental health.

To kick-off the month, turn off your screen and turn on LIFE! Screen-Free Week is celebrated every year in the first week of May. This week, celebrated all over the world, is an invitation for everyone — children, adults, and entire communities — to switch off completely from staring at screens and take a well-deserved break. We are offering a variety of events this week.

  Thank you to our sponsors:     

• 9:30-10am Storytime: Enjoy storytime at West Ridge Center for all ages

• 3:30-4:30pm Chalk the Walk: Use chalk to decorate the sidewalks at Sunset Woods Park for all ages

• 11-11:45am Preschool Open Gymnastics: Tumble and roll during open gymnastics at Lincoln School for ages 3-5
• 4-5pm Lego Block Party: Play with legos at West Ridge Center for ages 4-7

• 4-5pm May the 4th Be With You Craft: Make a craft for May the Fourth Be with You at Heller Nature Center for ages 7-10

• 4-5pm Craft Corner: Enjoy crafts at West Ridge Center for ages 3-9

“Camp was not just a way to pass the summer break, but a vital part of who we became.” Michael Eisner, former CEO of The Walt Disney Company, talking about how he and his business colleagues look back on their summer camp experiences.

The wonderful summer sports camps run by the park district offer your child seven weeks of fun and games, running around outdoors with their friends.

And that used to be enough.

Now, the experienced coaches, counselors, and student-athletes who teach the fundamentals of a wide range of sports—including baseball, basketball, golf, and soccer—provide campers with much more than a respite from school and a glimpse of glory as “the boys & girls of summer.” We’ll get to the extras after this short break to tell you what happens each week.

• Games, games, and more games. With plenty of instruction on how to throw, catch, run, kick, pass, swing, putt, pitch, bat, shoot… you get the picture. All the little stuff that makes playing really fun.
  • Swimming lessons, once each week for campers in grades 1 & 2. At Hidden Creek AquaPark or beautiful Rosewood Beach.
• Mini golfing at our own River’s Edge course.
• Field trips! Kids love ‘em, we’ve got ‘em. Day trips to the best adventure and entertainment venues including Action Territory in Kenosha, Funtopia, and Santa’s Village, where your camper can go bowling, climb rock walls, bump bumper cars, ride coasters, and balance their way through an awesome elevated ropes course.

While all of that fun is happening, kids are learning some mighty important life skills, from caring adults they trust—their coaches and counselors:

• Good sportsmanship.
• Teamwork.
• Self Esteem. Get out of your comfort zone and try something new!
• Be resilient. Mistakes happen. It’s how you fix them that makes you better.
• Compassion, empathy, and a respect for differences.
• Communication.
• Problem-solving.
• Leadership skills.

Troy Hoffmann, Athletic Supervisor at the Park District, said “These are things that help shape kids into good people, and we emphasize them every day. Happily, none of them require looking at a screen!”

• In addition to everything we’ve listed above, Varsity campers also play more competitive games that require advanced skills, like Capture the Flag, Floor Hockey, and Lacrosse.
• Field trips that include Go Karts, Parkour, and Water Parks.
• Pro baseball games, including the Chicago Dogs!

While the Varsity Sports Camp is great fun for everyone, if your young sports enthusiast is a girl in grades 3–6, take a look at our Girls Play Strong camp. It’s filled with special features designed specifically for them.

We’re looking forward to seeing your child this summer!

The Park District of Highland Park recently purchased a battery-powered string trimmer, blower, push mower, and ride-on mower to go along with the battery-powered golf cart for the routine maintenance of the park. 

The use of electric equipment at Larry Fink Park will result in a number of benefits, including:

• Reduced air pollution
• Reduced noise pollution
• Lower operating costs
• Increased energy efficiency
• Improved air quality
• Improved water quality
• Reduced greenhouse gas emissions

In addition, the Park District added electric blowers push mowers and sting trimmers to Sunset Woods Park, Danny Cunniff Park, and The Preserve of Highland Park. 

Our trim mowing crew will also utilize electric blowers and sting trimmers along with an electric ride-on mower.

The Park District of Highland Park is partnering with Moraine Township Food Pantry to collect non-perishable food items to provide families in need with meals over Memorial Day Weekend.

Drop-off Dates: Monday, April 10-Sunday, May 14

• Ketchup, mustard and mayo bottles (regular size)
• Bags of chips and cookies (family or snack size)
• Jars of pickles (regular size, plastic preferred)

• West Ridge Center: 636 Ridge Road
• Recreation Center of Highland Park: 1207 Park Avenue West
• Deer Creek Racquet Club: 701 Deer Creek Parkway
• Heller Nature Center: 2821 Ridge Road
• Centennial Ice Arena: 3100 Trail Way
• Highland Park Golf Learning Center: 2205 Skokie Valley Road
• Sunset Valley Golf Club: 1390 Sunset Road

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The Moraine Township Food Pantry is always in need of donations. If you can’t supply the above Memorial Day Meal items, please consider donating the following at our facilities:

• Cereal – all kinds
• Granola
• 1# bags white rice
• Canned chicken
• Pancake mix
• Coffee – instant & regular
• Spices – especially salt & sugar
• Kid snacks (goldfish, applesauce, granola bars, etc.)

The Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla is providing free safety checks for Park Avenue boaters starting at 9am on Saturday, May 27.  Safety checks are by appointment only and will be on the following dates:

• May 27, 28
• June 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, 25

There are new important federal regulations relating to safety equipment that will be reviewed online and/or when setting up your appointment so that you will be prepared to pass your vessel safety check. Please contact Donna Feldman at 847.597.8125 to schedule your vessel safety check.   

Boaters towing their vessels may also schedule safety checks in Deerfield.  Contact Donna Feldman at 847.597.8125. Please slowly and clearly leave your name and phone number.  Please allow one to two days for a response.

If you have any questions about the Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla vessel examination program, please feel free to contact Donna.

All USCG Vessel Safety Checklists must be PASSED prior to launching motorized vessels.

March 8: Workshop Meeting of the Park Board

Staff provided construction updates for the Fink Park Athletic Field Development project, Sunset Valley Golf Club Bridge Replacement project, Deer Creek Racquet Club Locker Room Improvement project, and the Centennial Ice Arena Facility and Site Renovations and the Rink Floor Replacement projects.  

March 20: Special Meeting of the Park Board

The Park Board of Commissioners went into closed session pursuant to the following sections of the Open Meeting Act: Section 2(c)5 – the purchase or lease of real estate including discussion on whether a certain parcel of property should be acquired.

March 21: Finance Committee Meeting

Staff reviewed the bid openings for the 2023 Asphalt Improvements project, the 2023 Park Avenue Dredging project, the 2023 Weeding and Landscape Services project, and the 2023 Hidden Creek AquaPark Deck Chairs Replacement project.  The asphalt bid includes two alternatives to convert 10 or 12 tennis courts into pickleball courts at Danny Cunniff Park. Staff presented permanent and temporary options for the pickleball court conversion. Based on feedback from the Finance Committee, staff will further investigate temporary solutions for additional pickleball courts at Danny Cunniff Park and bring a recommendation back to the Park Board of Commissioners. Staff will request that the Park Board of Commissioners approve the base bid and alternates, excluding the pickleball court conversions, from Troch-McNeil Paving Company, Inc at the upcoming Regular Meeting.  

While staff received approval from the Park Board of Commissioners to enter into a five-year lease agreement with EZGO for golf carts, staff explored the costs to purchase the EZGO carts and GPS through Sourcewell and found there is a significant savings. Staff received consensus from the Finance Committee to place the purchase of the EZGO golf carts and GPS on the consent agenda at the Regular Meeting.  

Staff presented the two proposals for the design of the Park Avenue Access Improvement Project. Staff are recommending that the Park Board of Commissioners approve the contract with Hitchcock Design Group for the design and engineering of the north beach at the upcoming Regular Meeting.  

Staff presented three renovation options for the Deer Creek Racquet Club Locker Room Improvement project. 

April 3: Regular Meeting of the Park Board

The Park Board of Commissioners approved the 2023 Weeding and Landscape Services bid, the 2024 Sunset Valley Golf Club Golf Cart and GPS Purchase, the 2023 Asphalt Improvements bid, the proposal with Hitchcock Design Group for the design and engineering of the north beach at Park Avenue, the 2023 Park-Avenue Dredging Project re-bid, and the 2023 Hidden Creek AquaPark Deck Chair Replacement bid.