Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) has awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting to Park District of Highland Park for its comprehensive annual financial report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019.  This is the 31st consecutive year the Park District has received the award.   The report has been judged by an impartial panel to meet the high standards of the program, which includes demonstrating a constructive “spirit of full disclosure” to clearly communicate its financial story and motivate potential users and user groups to read the report.

The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management.

Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) advances excellence in government finance by providing best practices, professional development, resources, and practical research for more than 21,000 members and the communities they serve.

The Park District of Highland Park Competitive Gymnastics Team traveled to their first meet of the season on Sunday, Feb 14.  The Level 3 team came home with the First Place team award. Individual awards went to Hannah Maletsky for 1st place in the All-Around for the nine-year-old division. Her teammate Kenna Reed came in 6th place in the All-Around for that age group. In the ten-year-old age group, Sydney Genser took the top honor with a 1st place All-Around award. In the 11-year-old age group, the PDHP team was represented by Fiona Brownstein in 1st place and Naomi Rago in 2nd place for the All-Around. Rounding out the team, in the 12 & up age group, Lauren Smiley was awarded 1st place All-Around and Charlie Weisbart 2nd place.

“The girls have worked hard all summer and waited patiently for the season to get the clearance to start up within the state restrictions,” said Carol Sassorossi, program manager.  “It was very exciting seeing the improvement and confidence shine through the girls.”

Chicago Golf Report named the clubhouse at Sunset Valley Golf Club one of the top ten best for public courses in the Chicago area.  Sunset Valley came in at number six on the list.  The list was compiled and ranked based on the importance and benefits of clubhouses to the everyday golfers— before, during, and after a round of golf.

The publication gave high marks for the clubhouse at Sunset Valley’s cozy atmosphere, stunning views of the course, trendy bar, the 1920s inspired menu, outdoor veranda and patio, and the expanded pro shop.    View the article, here. 

In 2020 the Park District was awarded a grant from the Illinois Coastal Management Program to conduct a Beach Management Plan to recommend achievable operations and maintenance strategies to respond to climate change effects at Park District lakefront properties. The Park District consulted coastal engineers and regional experts to develop strategies tailored to each unique property.

The Park District will accept comments on the plan through Thursday, March 18. The plan document is expected to be presented to Park Board of Commissioners at the Tuesday, March 30 Board Meeting.  

The Park District of Highland Park Beach Management Plan is supported by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Coastal Management Program through a federal grant from the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce.

Get On. Get Fit. Get Happy. The Recreation Center of Highland Park has launched its new On the Go Fitness!   The $5 per month subscription provides access to a complete library of the Recreation Center’s new on-demand fitness classes.

Whether you are at home, on vacation, in your backyard, or on a business trip, On the Go Fitness will keep you on your fitness path to a stronger, leaner, healthier version of YOU.   Subscribers will enjoy:

Best of All! 

Your $5 monthly subscription fee is donated to the Parks Foundation of Highland Park the first month and every month of your On the Go Fitness subscription. The Parks Foundation of Highland Park is dedicated to the belief that every resident in our community deserves the opportunity for an enriched and healthy lifestyle. The Foundation provides funding for over $150,000 in annual scholarships to Highland Park and Highwood residents facing economic difficulty with access to classes, camps, sports leagues, fitness activities, and events that promote healthy lifestyles.

  

SIGN UP NOW

The Parks Foundation is dedicated to ensuring that every Highland Park/Highwood resident has the opportunity for an enriched, healthy lifestyle. Our scholarships help families in financial need participate in Park District programs. The Foundation funds…

The Parks Foundation Board is currently seeking new members and volunteers! If you have a passion for your community and your parks, we would love to have you be a part of our team.

Apply Now

About the Parks Foundation of Highland Park 

The Parks Foundation of Highland Park, an independent, community-led, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, was established in 2016 to support access to the world-class Park District programs and facilities that enhance community life in Highland Park.

For more information about the Parks Foundation go to pfhpil.org or call 847-579-3136.

In an effort to provide relief to Highland Park property owners, the Park Board of Commissioners approved a Truth in Taxation Resolution for a 0% increase for the Park District’s 2021 tax levy. As a result, the Park District plans to levy $11,743,050 in 2021, keeping the percent increase flat in comparison to 2020. The Park District’s portion of residents’ property tax is approximately 7%.  
     
“This has been an exceptionally challenging year for our residents,” said Barney Ruttenberg, president of the Park Board of Commissioners.  “Throughout the pandemic, the Park District has adjusted its operations and programming to provide safe and healthy recreational outlets for our community’s physical, emotional, and mental well-being. We feel it is our responsibility to do more for our residents struggling with the financial ramifications of this on-going pandemic. Through careful planning and cost-saving strategies, we can keep our tax levy flat for 2021 to provide much-needed relief for our residents during this unprecedented time.” 
       
The 2021 Park District flat tax levy includes a combination of a 2.3% Consumer Price Index (CPI) increase in its “tax capped funds,” new growth estimated to be approximately $25 million, and a reduction in the Special Recreation Fund levy from .04% to .0245%. The Special Recreation Fund is used for the Park District’s Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) capital improvements, member fees for the Northern Suburban Special Recreation Association (NSSRA), and program inclusion fees for participants with special needs. Due to COVID-19, there was a reduction in Special Recreation Fund expenses in 2020. As a result, $682,550.32 will be added to the Special Recreation Fund’s balance in 2021, allowing the Park District to lower the 2021 Levy for this Fund. 

“Because of the decreased expenditures in 2020, the reduction in the 2021 Special Recreation Fund levy will not reduce our ability to continue with planned ADA capital improvements, complete projects that require ADA accommodations in the coming years, or meet obligations to NSSRA, including support for the renovation of their new administrative building,” said Brian Romes, executive director of the Park District of Highland Park.      
     
“It is our goal to continue creating a safe environment for our residents while creating innovative ways to participate in recreational programs and services. Through efficient and fiscally responsible planning, we aspire to ensure the Park District will continue providing essential recreational outlets for our residents in the short and long-term as our community and our country perseveres through this difficult time,” said Ruttenberg. 

The Preserve of Highland Park construction is expected to begin November 1, 2020!   When completed, The Preserve’s amenities will include improved pathways, a pond overlook, gardens, seating, play areas, signage and a restored north pond shoreline with native plantings and vegetated swales.  During construction, some paths will be closed.  Several looping trails will remain open to visitors, as will the North-South Bike Trail on the property’s east edge.

To learn more about this exciting project, click here. 

Now more than ever, we are all conscious of staying healthy and only being in clean, safe environments. Our staff members follow strict, consistent sanitation and safety protocols to ensure you and your family are in the safest environments you can be while at our facilities. The Park District of Highland Park has also invested in new state-of-the-art air filtration systems at the Recreation Center of Highland Park, Deer Creek Racquet Club, Centennial Ice Arena, and West Ridge Center.

Our new HVAC system UV Air Filters are unlike chemical approaches to disinfection. The UV provides rapid, effective inactivation of microorganisms through a physical process. When bacteria, viruses, and protozoa are exposed to UV light, the UV energy destroys the genetic material (DNA) within, eliminating their ability to reproduce and cause infection. The UV Filter System provides continuous disinfection of the air within our facilities, lowering the concentration of mold, bacteria, and viruses. UV technology is used for indoor disinfection in hospitals, food processing, and laboratories.

We are all safe when we all work together. Keeping your Park District clean and safe, so you and your family can maintain your healthy lifestyle is our top priority. 

To learn more about the daily investments we are making in your health and safety at our facilities, watch this important video.  

10/14/20 – The Parks Foundation of Highland Park is offering new rewards this Fall to those who help fellow community members participate in Park District programs. The “Friend of the Parks” drive supports scholarships that allow Highland Park and Highwood families with financial constraints to enroll in athletics, camps, creative classes, and nature programs. For a limited time, supporters can receive complimentary admission to a variety of Park District facilities.

Studies show that recreational activities are critical to physical, mental, and emotional well-being in these challenging times. Yet, the Foundation recognizes that thousands of community members are now prevented from taking part in Park District programs due to economic difficulties. Even before the pandemic, 17% of Highwood residents and 6.5% of Highland Park residents lived below the poverty level. Since March, more than half of U.S. households have suffered a loss of employment income. The Friend of the Parks campaign aims to ensure that all can enjoy an enriched, healthy lifestyle.

“The Park District of Highland Park is doing a fantastic job giving residents ways to safely stay fit and active through the pandemic,” noted Foundation Board President Bob Bernstein. “We’re committed to helping all community members access its great programs and facilities. We hope everyone will consider becoming a Friend of the Parks and join us in our mission to make sure no one is left behind.”

Since 2016, the Foundation has helped bring the community together through events such as the Champion’s Banquet honoring young athletes and coaches, the Firecracker 5K Independence Day run, and the recent Bike the Parks event that provided free maps to safely guide hundreds of cyclists through ten of Highland Park’s 44 parks. 

Donations to the organization have supported over $150,000 in scholarships annually through its SMILE Grant-in-Aid program and Highwood-inclusive Foundation Youth Initiative. The Foundation also recently funded the new Youth Golf Development and Short Game Center at Sunset Valley Golf Club to introduce young golfers to the game.

Donors who give $100 or more before December 31st will receive Friend of the Parks Passports valued at up to $100. Passport benefits include a round of Mini-Golf at River’s Edge Adventure Golf, swimming at Hidden Creek Aqua Park, skating at Centennial Ice Arena, a bucket of balls at Highland Park Golf Learning Center, cross-country skiing at Heller Nature Center, and more. Contributions in any amount will help provide Park District access to lower-income families. 

The Parks Foundation of Highland Park is dedicated to the belief that every resident deserves the opportunity for an enriched, healthy lifestyle. The Foundation supports and enhances the Park District of Highland Park’s exceptional facilities and provides resources to ensure that all community members are able to participate in Park District programs. The Parks Foundation of Highland Park is an independent, community-led, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. For more information, visit https://www.pfhpil.org