Home
/
FAQs
/
Service Animal Policy

No animals are allowed inside any Park District facility, with exception of service animals.

Service animals are allowed at all facilities and beaches. However, service animals may only enter the water at (the newly updated) Moraine Beach.

Park District staff cannot watch any service animal while a participant is in a program or using our facilities. The service animal must always be under the control of the owner.

If your child is allergic to certain foods please call the program supervisor or manager upon confirmation of registration.

Photos and video footage are periodically taken of people participating in District programs and activities. All persons registering for District programs/activities, Participants in District events, or using District property thereby agree that any photograph or video taken by the District may be used in District publications, advertising, marketing materials, brochures, event flyers, social media (including Facebook, YouTube, and other social media sites operated by the District), and the District’s website without additional prior notice or permission and without any compensation to you. All photos and videos are property of the District.

To help make our programs and facilities enjoyable for all, participants and members are expected to exhibit appropriate behavior at all times. It is required that all patrons adhere to our Behavior Management Policy. This includes but is not limited to showing respect to all patrons and staff, abstaining from the use of abusive or foul language, refraining from causing bodily harm to themselves or others, respecting equipment, supplies, and facilities. Failure to follow these guidelines may result in permanent suspension of participation. 

These guidelines have been developed to help make our programs safe and enjoyable for all. To learn more about our Behavior Management Procedure, contact 847.831.3810.

The Park District does not carry medical or accident insurance for program participants – the costs would make program fees prohibitive. Please review your own personal health insurance plan to be certain that you and your family have the proper coverage.

Park District services, programs and activities are subject to all applicable laws regarding nondiscrimination including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The Park District will make reasonable accommodations to facilitate participation. If you have any suggestions on how to improve our recreational programs, or are an individual with disabilities or special needs, please call 847.831.3810. Those who use the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) may reach the Park District at 847.579.3150.

For each program at the Park District, there’s a minimum number of registrations needed before a class can run. Most teachers are paid per class period, not per student. So if enough people don’t register, the Park District loses money – your money. In addition, we like to keep the student/teacher ratio low to ensure you get a high quality program. In order to determine adequate registration and to avoid disappointment, we highly encourage you to register early (at least seven days prior to the first date the class is held). When a class is cancelled due to lack of enrollment a full refund will be issued.

As a courtesy, the Park District provides a receipt to confirm your registration status once a purchase is completed. If registering in-person, you will receive a printed and emailed receipt. If registering online, you will receive an emailed receipt upon successful completion of your online transaction. Emailed receipts will come from registrations@pdhp.org. Please check your spam mail if you do not receive a confirmation email in your inbox. If you do not receive confirmation of your registrations, please contact the Park District prior to the first day of the program to verify your registration status.

At the Park District of Highland Park, we are committed to providing the public with high quality recreation programs. Our residents are important to us and we feel they deserve quality at all times. We are so confident that our recreation programs provide high quality and enjoyment that we are backing it with a policy called the Good Time Guarantee. Our promise and policy are as follows: The Park District of Highland Park will give you a full refund if requested by the beginning of the third class if you are unsatisfied with the quality of instruction, your child’s inability to adapt emotionally in the class, or the skill level is not appropriate for the participant.

Guidelines

  1. Participant must attend the first two classes of the program.
  2. The Good Time Guarantee Refund Form must be filled out appropriately and received prior to the third class meeting. Forms are available at the front desk of all Park District facilities. The Park District will not fax, mail or email copies. Upon receiving your completed form before the third class we will process a full refund of your paid fees. This applies to programs six weeks or more in length.

This policy applies to recreation classes only. A recreation class is defined as a program where Park District personnel teach activities or skills over a period of six or more class periods. This policy does not apply to season memberships or passes, special events, basketball, baseball, picnic permits, camps or programs less than five weeks.

We do not want a program fee to be a deterrent to highland Park or Highwood families from participating in our programs. If you are a Highland Park or Highwood resident experiencing financial hardship, please email scholarships@pdhp.org or call 847.579.3101 to speak with our staff about available scholarship opportunities.

Our SMILE Grant-In-Aid Program is available to qualifying Highland Park families needing financial assistance. A SMILE application form requesting detailed financial information is available at Park District facilities or online.

Our FYI (Foundation Youth Initiative) Grant-in-Aid Program is available to qualifying Highwood families and can help cover up to 50% of camp program fees. For more information and to apply for an FYI camp scholarship, please call 847.579.3101 or email scholarships@pdhp.org.

All scholarships are awarded based on the need and availability of funds. Upon submission of a grant request, families will be notified within 15 working days of their status.  All scholarships and inquiries regarding financial aid are completely confidential.