It is here! Time to pull out your shorts & sandals and head out to play in the great outdoors for the next three months of summer. There is no better place to spend your sunny summer days than right here at your Park District.
If you haven’t picked up a pickleball paddle, now is the time to get in on this new sports phenomenon. Did you know your park district has the largest pickleball complex on the north shore at Danny Cunniff Park? For the last three years, Danny Cunniff Park’s pickleball courts have been home to the Chicago Open Pickleball tournament that draws over 700 players nationwide.
If golf is your game, head over to Sunset Valley Golf Club. This award-winning “heathland” style course provides dramatic panoramic views and challenges the golfer’s mental toughness to focus on executing the shot at hand. And the Highland Park Golf Learning Center is your destination to improve your swing with a lesson from our golf pro and practice with a bucket of balls or two at our driving range.
Are you looking for outdoor activities for the whole family? We have got you covered. Play a fun round at River’s Edge Mini Golf. The course features 18 challenging holes. Grab your beach gear and spend a day at the spectacular Rosewood Beach. If the pool is more your style, Hidden Creek AquaPark has something for everyone – a splash pad, zero entry for the little ones, and crazy fast slides for your daredevils. We have also planned hundreds of fun events and activities to give you and your family a fabulous summer to remember. Here are some highlights:
You saw that right – an event every day at the pool! Games, fitness classes, limbo contests, scavenger hunts, and more. Even the lifeguards are getting into the act.
This new entertainment series features concerts, movies, art, and games in beautiful parks throughout Highland Park. We are even hosting a Doggie Beach Party at Moraine Dog Beach for your favorite pooches.
Ravinia Farmers Market is back for its 45th Anniversary Season! Every Wednesday between 7am-1pm, stop by Jens Jensen Park and support local farmers and artisans. Every week features different vendors and music.
Duck, duck, go! Join us for a Duck Derby at Hidden Creek AquaPark! Purchase one duck for $5 or a Quack Pack of six ducks for $25 and watch them race down the slide! The first duck to reach the rope wins a prize. All proceeds benefit the Parks Foundation of Highland Park, helping hundreds of families in need of financial assistance access to all recreation programs, including summer camps, swimming lessons, sports, and fitness programs.
End your day in the most breathtaking way! Celebrate International Day of Yoga on the boardwalk at Rosewood Beach with instructor Trayci Handelman while enjoying live acoustic music/performance by Ryan Herrick.
Hosted by the Parks Foundation of Highland Park, this Men’s, Women’s, and Mixed Doubles Event benefits the Parks Foundation SMILE grant-in-aid program — giving families in need of financial assistance the opportunity to participate in Park District programs.
Bring your lawn chairs, picnic blankets, and enjoy a fun relaxing picnic in the park with your friends and neighbors. All ages are welcome! The day includes live musical performances by Rod Tuffcurls & the Bench Press and the Highland Park Pops, food trucks (food for purchase), family-friendly games, activities, and crafts.
Spend the twilight hour under the stars and around a cozy campfire! Roast marshmallows, eat as many s’mores until your tummies are full, and have fun with friends!
Say adios to summer and aloha to school! Let’s kick off a great year together with music, fun, and of course SPLASHING! Join us at the Hidden Creek AquaPark to end a great summer and learn about all our fall programs. All registrants ages 3 and higher will be entered into a drawing for some sweet swag, too!
Enjoy free In the Park summer events! This new entertainment series features concerts, movies, art, and games in beautiful parks throughout Highland Park.
Registration is not required, just drop in! Weather cancellations will be announced 90 minutes prior. There are no rain locations or rain dates.
Highland Park Pops Big Band will be performing every Wednesday this summer (weather dependent) from 6-8pm. Bring your own lawn chairs, blankets and picnic, and enjoy the sweet sounds of live big band jazz on Wednesday evenings!
Nanny Nikki is a Grammy® Nominated Artist who loves to bring life to classic children’s songs as well as her original music. Join her for a high-energy, interactive, musical show including sing-along songs, dancing, puppets and more! Sing & Soar!
Sit, sip and read with the Park District of Highland Park! Lemonade is provided.
Calling all families! Bingo is for everyone! Prizes will include raffle tickets for a chance to win a grand prize. Bring a seat and some snacks and enjoy the game!
Do you have a current dog pass? If so, you and your pup are invited to our Doggie Beach Party! We provide the music and treats-you provide a beach-ready doggie!
Spend a creative Saturday with our team enjoying nature and tapping into our inner artists.
Bring a comfortable seat and a picnic for a 30th anniversary showing of Jurassic Park.
Hula hoops, bubbles, music and more in your local park. Hop on out and play!
Since 1996, Chicago’s Rhythm Rockets have been delivering their brand of vintage rhythm & blues, with songs influenced by the sax-driven bands of the late 1940’s and early 1950’s. Spend this bluesy Sunday afternoon relaxing in the park with the Rhythm Rockets.
Bring a comfortable seat and a picnic for a 20th anniversary showing of Finding Nemo.
The lobby is open and landscaping is nearly complete. There are a few remaining elements that need to be installed including the replacement of the temporary vestibule glass with the bird-safe glass. A ceremonial grand opening celebration is tentatively scheduled for the Fall.
Renovation of the facility includes an improved drop-off area, parking lots, lobby, multi-purpose room, locker rooms, office space, and restrooms. This renovation project was included in the Park District’s 2024 GreenPrint 10-year master plan and was scheduled to begin in 2020. It was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
During regular annual maintenance in June, staff uncovered an unknown issue on the Centennial rink floor. The Park District acted swiftly to conduct an exhaustive investigation of the facility and ice flooring system with an engineering firm. The findings confirmed that the building is structurally sound. However, the rink floor had been compromised and requires complete replacement.
Staff reviewed the financial and operational assessment conducted by consultants, BerryDunn, to identify priority spaces at West Ridge Center and proposed scheduling an open house so Architects, Holabird and Root, and staff could share their analysis findings, site plan, and recommendation with the community where the new community center would be constructed at West Ridge Park.
Staff also gave an update of the Danny Cunniff Park Pickleball project reporting that ten tennis courts will be temporarily converted into pickleball courts and available for use this summer.
Staff proposed making changes to Park District Policy #5.01 – Fees and Charges so that anyone living within the geographic boundaries of the Park District of Highland Park is considered a resident. Outside of the Park District of Highland Park geographic boundaries, this privilege is also extended to Kindergarten through Grade 8 students living in the geographic boundaries of North Shore School District 112.
Staff also provided construction updates for the Fink Park Athletic Field Development project, Deer Creek Racquet Club Locker Room Improvements project, Centennial Ice Arena Facility and Site Renovations project, and the Moraine Park Art Competition project.
Staff provided an update of a proposed donation from the Fontana-Pasquasi family to rename Cloverdale Park.
Staff provided a five-year Financial Analysis Report on Hidden Creek AquaPark. Likewise, staff provided a five-year Financial Analysis Report and reviewed quarterly reports for the Recreation Center of Highland Park.
The Park District is soliciting bids for the 2023 Larry Fink Memorial Park Baseball Filed Improvements project and presented the most recent Engineer’s Opinion of Probable Costs in preparation of the bid meeting. Lastly, staff reviewed the bid opening for the 2023 Hidden Creek AquaPark Deck Replacement project.
The Park Board of Commissioners approved Ordinance #2023-04: Authorizing and Providing for the Conveyance or Sale of Surplus Personal Property, the Changes to Policy #5.01 Fees and Charges, the 2023 Hidden Creek AquaPark Deck Replacement Project, the Changes to the Full-Time Employee Personnel Policy Manual, and the Changes to the Part-Time Employee Personnel Policy Manual.
Executive Director Romes reported that the Park District of Highland Park will be forming an Efficiency Committee to comply with Public Act 102-1088 and reviewed the committee’s purpose.
Executive Director Romes reported that the Park District of Highland Park, the Art Impact Project, and the Art Center of Highland Park developed a community collaboration “Knitting Communities Together” which 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. Over the course of six weeks, residents and neighboring communities will knit colorful yarn creations which will be installed around trees at Sunset Woods Park.
To remind residents of the importance of staying safe at our beaches and while boating this summer, the Park Board has proclaimed May 20-29 as Highland Park Beach and Boating Safety Week.
The proclamations coincide and support the United States Lifesaving Association (USLA) National Beach Safety Week and the U.S. Coast Guard’s National Safe Boating Week. The Park Board urges all residents using our beaches to enjoy themselves at the beach this year while taking appropriate measures to protect themselves and their children.
Additionally, as boating continues to be a popular recreational activity, the Park Board is bringing attention to critical life-saving tips for recreational boaters so that they can have a safer, more fun experience out on the water throughout the year.
WHEREAS, the beautiful Lake Michigan waters and public beaches of Highland Park, Illinois represent valued recreational resources; and,
WHEREAS, Highland Park residents and visitors alike are drawn to our boating and beach facilities each year; and,
WHEREAS, drowning is one of the leading causes of death in the U.S. and the world; most people who drown are good swimmers; and the aquatic environment has dangers to swimmers, particularly rip currents, that can be effectively managed through public awareness and the vigilance of professional lifeguards; and,
WHEREAS, on average, 600 people die each year in boating-related accidents in the U.S.; 79 percent of these are fatalities caused by drowning; and most of these accidents are caused by human error or poor judgment and not by the boat, equipment, or environmental factors; and a significant number of boaters who lose their lives by drowning each year would be alive today had they worn their life jackets.
WHEREAS, for reasons of public safety, an annual reminder of the joys and hazards associated with the aquatic environment are appropriate at the commencement of the busy summer beach season; and,
WHEREAS, Highland Park residents and visitors alike must remember: Only Swim in Designated Swimming Areas; Learn to Swim, Swim Near a Lifeguard, Swim with a Buddy, Check with the Lifeguards, Use Sunscreen and Drink Water, Obey Posted Signs, Keep the Beach and Water Clean, Learn Rip Current Safety, Enter Water Feet First, and Wear a Life Jacket when Boating.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Park Board of Commissioners by virtue of the authority vested in us for the Park District of Highland Park do hereby support the goals of the Safe Boating and Beach Safety Campaigns and proclaim May 20-29, 2023, as Beach and Boating Safety Week in Highland Park.
We urge all residents using our waters and beaches to enjoy themselves this year, while taking appropriate measures to protect themselves and their children.
Practicing and building strong swimming skills are the best ways to stay safe in the water! Lessons begin June 5.
All pickleball courts and the adjacent four tennis courts (south bank) at Danny Cunniff Park will be closed tomorrow, Tuesday, May 16, starting at 7am and through the remainder of the week for construction.
To accommodate the growing demand for pickleball courts and to assess usage patterns, the Park District is converting four tennis courts at Danny Cunniff Park into ten new temporary pickleball courts. The new courts will be adjacent to the six existing pickleball courts, featuring heavy-duty portable nets and sound reduction screens on the surrounding fencing. Two banks of five pickleball courts will replace the existing tennis lines. The current tennis nets will separate the banks. Construction of the new courts is expected to be completed by Memorial Day weekend.
“We are excited to add the new temporary courts at Larry Cunniff Park for the growing community of pickleball players,” said Robyn Zullo, Tennis Recreation Manager. “The temporary courts will allow us to assess the court layout and usage patterns over the upcoming season.”
Should you have any questions about the project, please feel free to reach out to Robyn Zullo, Tennis Recreation Manager, at rzullo@pdhp.org or Amy Murrin, Director of Recreation & Facilities, at amurrin@pdhp.org.
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.
This project is rooted in the Park District’s GreenPrint Master Plan which supports addressing the aging West Ridge Building. The GreenPrint Update confirmed the recommendation and highlighted the need for multi-use space to be flexible to better serve the community. Holabird and Root modeled three different schemes through the preliminary planning study. The scheme to build new is recommended as the most cost-effective scheme to achieve the goals of the Park District within the project budget.
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:
Mental:
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.
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:
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.
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:
Give those a try. Then give us a call and join a class.
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:
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.
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:
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
