Recreation Center of Highland Park

The City of Highland Park begins Phase 2 of the Rec Center parking lot project. This new construction phase will focus on the west lot, the building turn-around drive, and the west ADA parking area. Learn more.

Thurs, Oct 31-Fri, Nov 1: The Rec Center will be closed to facilitate the electrical work required for the City’s Senior Center Project. To ensure our valued members can maintain their regular fitness routines, our staff has arranged FREE access to several area Park Districts’ fitness facilities during the closure. Learn more.

Old Elm Playground Renovation
Location
3420 Krenn Avenue
Start Date
Summer 2024
End Date
Fall 2024

Old Elm’s 2-5 and 5-12 playgrounds are scheduled for replacement this year. Construction is expected to begin in August of 2024 and be completed by November 2024.

The Park District of Highland Park began planning the playground update in 2023. The planning and design process was collaborative, and the Park District is thankful for all the feedback collected throughout the process. Feedback collected from the community was used to guide the final design for Old Elm’s playground renovation.

Project Details:

  • new and separated 2-5 and 5-12 playgrounds
  • new playground area loop path system
  • site furniture replacement

Other Projects Happening at Old Elm in 2024:

  • removal of the South baseball diamond, backstop, and players benches, concluding with the restoration to grass
  • restoration of North baseball diamond backstop, removal of players benches, and restoration to grass infield
  • shelter roof replacement
  • painting the shelter
Process
Target Start
Target End
Design
May 2023
December 2023
Bid/Award
March 2024
April 2024
Construction
September 2024
November 2024

Project Updates

Stay up to date on the latest renovations

October 30, 2024

The site has been prepared for installation of the new playground equipment.
Installation of the new playground equipment is expected to begin today!

October 30, 2024
October 30, 2024

The North backstop has been painted and both fields have been restored to grass.

October 30, 2024
October 24, 2024

The new playground equipment has been delivered

October 24, 2024
October 22, 2024

Painting of the Old Elm Park shelter has been completed.

October 22, 2024
October 17, 2024

Demolition of the playground has been completed.

October 17, 2024
September 24, 2024

Restoration of the ballfields to grass is nearing completion.

September 24, 2024
September 17, 2024

Installation of topsoil in the ballfields is nearing completion.

September 17, 2024
September 12, 2024

Clay removal at the ballfields is nearing completion.

Installation of topsoil and seed is expected to begin on Monday 9/16.

September 12, 2024
August 28, 2024

Construction fencing has been put up, the playground will remain closed until construction is complete.

August 28, 2024
August 28, 2024

Construction is expected to begin the week of September 9

During construction, the playground area will be closed. Restoration work on the ballfields may begin the week of September 2, and the ballfield area will be closed during that time.

During construction, the tennis courts and basketball courts will remain open. Tennis courts can be accessed through the southern gate.

August 28, 2024
August 27, 2024

The Results Are In!

Thank you to the 71 respondents who selected their preferred paint colors for the Old Elm Shelter. The winning combination is the darker grey (D) on the bricks and the blue (A) on the panels.

The shelter is expected to be painted before the end of the year.

August 27, 2024
August 7, 2024

The roof on the Old Elm shelter has been replaced.

August 7, 2024
August 5, 2024

The Park District is painting the Old Elm Shelter!

Take this survey to vote for your color preference before the survey closes on August 23.

August 5, 2024
August 5, 2024

The shelter roof is expected to be replaced on Wednesday, August 7.

August 5, 2024
February 15, 2024

The design process has been completed for the Old Elm Playground Renovation Project. Thank you to everyone who provided feedback through the survey, listening sessions and community meeting, to help shape the final design for the project. See the playground renderings here.

Construction is expected to begin in August and be completed by November.

February 15, 2024
November 6, 2023

Thank you to everyone who attended the Old Elm Park Playground meeting on Tuesday, November 14 and providing your preferences on the playground equipment options presented.

The feedback collected will be used to further refine the designs. Once designs are finalized, they will be posted to this page and the project will be bid out.

November 6, 2023
November 6, 2023

You’re Invited!

This past summer many of you participated in a survey to share your feedback on Old Elm Park. The Park District will host a community meeting on Tuesday, November 14, 2023, at Oak Terrace Elementary School to share the proposed playground design and two playground equipment options.

The meeting will start with a brief presentation providing an overview of the feedback collected this summer, the proposed layouts, and project timeline. After the presentation, participants will have the opportunity to review the equipment options and share their preferences. Feedback collected will be used to guide the final playground designs.

Meeting Details:
Date: Tuesday, November 14, 2023
Time: 6-7pm
Location: Oak Terrace Elementary School, Multi-Purpose Room

November 6, 2023
August 5, 2023

See the survey results from the preliminary playground planning survey here.

August 5, 2023
July 5, 2023

We will be at Old Elm Park on Friday, July 7 from 1-3pm to collect your feedback on the playground renovation.

July 5, 2023
June 12, 2023

The Park District of Highland Park would like to hear from you!
There will be several opportunities for the community to participate in the design process and the first is the Old Elm Playground Preliminary Planning survey. Follow this link to share your feedback in this brief survey.

June 12, 2023