As of Saturday, July 31, data published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates that Lake County is now experiencing substantial community transmission of COVID-19. The Lake County Health Department now urges individuals and businesses to follow CDC guidance and wear face masks in indoor public spaces to slow the spread of COVID-19 in Lake County communities.
 
For our residents’ health and safety, and to align with Lake County and CDC guidance, beginning Tuesday, August 3, face masks will be required in all Park District of Highland Park indoor facilities regardless of vaccination status.  Those indoor facilities where masks are required at all times include the Recreation Center of Highland Park, Deer Creek Racquet Club, Sunset Valley clubhouse, Hidden Creek bathhouse, West Ridge Center, Heller Nature Center, and Centennial Ice Arena.   Signs will be posted at all facilities as a reminder to patrons. 
 
The Park District guidelines will remain the same for our outdoor facilities and programs as follows:

• Fully vaccinated individuals are not required to wear a mask or social distance
• Individuals not fully vaccinated are encouraged to wear a face mask when social distancing is not possible.

We appreciate our community’s understanding and cooperation as we work together to navigate these challenging times.  The Park District will continue to work with state, county, and local authorities.   Always, your health and safety are our top priority, and we will keep you updated as the situation evolves.  

For more information on the CDC and Lake County guidelines, click here.

Face Mask Guidelines

Due to Lake County now experiencing substantial community transmission of COVID-19, the Lake County Health Department now urges individuals and businesses to follow CDC guidance and wear face masks in indoor public spaces to slow the spread of COVID-19 in Lake County communities. See below for details: 

Outdoor Facilities and Programs

• Fully Vaccinated Individuals are not required to wear a face mask or social distance
• Individuals not fully vaccinated are encouraged to wear a face mask when social distancing is not possible

Indoor Facilities and Programs 

• Fully Vaccinated Individuals are required to wear a mask and social distance
• Individuals not fully vaccinated should continue to wear a mask and social distance in all areas
• As required, Youth Sports, Summer Camps, and other youth programs will continue to follow DCEO Guidance 

Currently, the Park District is not tracking patrons and participants for vaccinations. By participating in a Park District program, lesson, or activity or visiting an outdoor Park District facility without a face mask, you are verifying truthfully that you have been fully vaccinated.  
You are considered fully vaccinated:

• Two weeks after your second dose in a 2-dose series, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or
• Two weeks after a single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine

If you don’t meet these requirements, regardless of your age, you are NOT fully vaccinated. Keep taking all precautions until you are fully vaccinated. 

Facility-Specific Guidelines

For your continued safety, certain guidelines will remain in place at some of our facilities.  For facility-specific guidelines and other information click on the facility links below:  

Centennial Ice Arena

Deer Creek Racquet Club

Hidden Creek AquaPark

Recreation Center of Highland Park 

West Ridge Center

Heller Nature Center

Rosewood Beach

Highland Park Golf Learning Center

Sunset Valley Golf Club

If guidelines change, we will update you accordingly. If you have any questions about how this will affect your participation in a program, please contact your program manager.

Keeping You Informed

Our staff works with our local, state, and federal authorities with the primary goal of keeping our customers, residents, and staff safe and healthy. Updates are provided on this website, on the Park District Facebook page, and via email.   To subscribe to our emails, click here. 
 

Do Your Part

Remember to prevent the spread of respiratory diseases, including COVID -19, consistently follow the Lake County Health Department guidelines:

• Wherever you go, you should always follow public health guidelines, including the 3 Ws to reduce your risk of getting and spreading COVID-19:
  • WEAR A MASK indoors regardless of vaccination status
  • WASH YOUR HANDS
  • WATCH YOUR DISTANCE if you are not fully vaccinated
• Stay home if you are sick, except to receive medical care, and avoid close contact with people who are sick. Do not walk into a healthcare facility, urgent care clinic, or hospital before calling. Discuss your symptoms with your doctor. If your doctor believes that you need to be tested for COVID-19, they should refer you to a COVID-19 testing site.
• Get the COVID-19 vaccine!
• If you are an older adult or have a serious medical condition like heart disease, diabetes, lung disease or have a weakened immune system, contact your doctor immediately if you have any COVID-19 symptoms.
• If you do not have a doctor or primary care provider, you may contact the Lake County Health Department at (847) 377-8800. Testing can currently be done free of charge at 102 W. Water St. in Waukegan, IL, between 8 am – 4 pm. Testing is also available at other locations https://dph.illinois.gov/testing

If you have any COVID-19 questions, call the Illinois COVID-19 hotline at (800) 889-3931 or email [email protected]. You may also want to consider signing up for updates from the Lake County Health Department at https://www.lakecountyil.gov/4420/COVID-19-Updates.

As the local, state, and national landscapes continue to evolve, the Park District will remain vigilant and continue to keep you informed.