Solar panels produce an average of 160,318 kWh of energy annually, accounting for more than 38% of Deer Creek’s energy needs.

In Summer 2022, Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels were installed on Deer Creek Racquet Club’s roof. In 2024, Deer Creek’s system generated 165,181 kWh, powering 43% of the facility’s energy needs.

Coming Soon – In 2026, solar PV panels will be installed on the new facility at West Ridge Park.

Community Solar – the Park District has shares in an Illinois Solar Farm.

In 2024, the Park District Board of Commissioners approved an agreement for the Park District to enter into a community solar program. Community solar programs allow businesses and organizations to share the revenue generated by a solar farm.

Energy produced on the farm is fed into the Illinois grid, and the Park District receives a share of the benefits while supporting the expansion of solar energy production in Illinois. The District’s shares will slowly be added to the grid starting mid-2025.

Rosewood Interpretive Center utilizes a geothermal heating and cooling system.

Rosewood Interpretive Center is the District’s first facility to utilize a geothermal heating and cooling system. The system was installed when the building was built in 2019.

Geothermal systems rely on the Earth’s temperature to help heat or cool a structure and require less energy to operate than traditional heating and cooling systems.

Going Electric! – In 2024, the Park District purchased our first all-electric fleet vehicle & four more are on the way in 2025.

The Park District has had two hybrid vehicles in operation since 2021. In 2024, the Park District’s first all-electric fleet vehicle hit the road, and four more are coming in 2025.

Fleet vehicles are replaced as they reach the end of their useful life, and hybrid and electric options will be considered when a vehicle is up for replacement.

The Park District has been converting to electric maintenance equipment since 2022.

The Park District has been replacing maintenance equipment (in need of replacement) with electric alternatives for the past few years. As new electric alternatives hit the market, the Park District will upgrade as needed.

The Golf Carts at Sunset Valley Golf Club have been electric since 2018.

Golfers at Sunset Valley Golf Club rely on a fleet of electric golf carts to navigate the course. This fleet of electric carts have been in operation since 2018.

Unlike the gas-powered golf carts, which needed refueling after three rounds and emitted greenhouse gases, the electric carts produce zero tailpipe emissions, reducing the golf course’s carbon footprint. Each electric cart can travel 45 holes on a single charge.  

In 2024, the Park District planted more than 200 trees across the District, which are expected to sequester an additional 22 tons of carbon over the next 20 years.

In 2024, the Park District exceeded our goal of planting 100 trees annually by planting more than 200 trees across the District. This was largely possible thanks to the Lake County Tree Planting Program, which awarded the District a grant to plant 150 trees at Larry Fink Memorial Park.

In 2024, the Park District applied again and was awarded another grant to plant 141 native trees at Danny Cunniff Park, Kennedy Park, and Olson Park in 2025.

Protecting Oak Trees at the Parks

Since 2019, the Park District has been addressing oak tree decline by beginning a series of annual preventative treatments to the oak trees at Sunset Woods Park.

In 2022, the Park District signed on to participate in the Morton Arboretum’s study to treat and track the health of declining oak trees. Eight trees (at Sunset Woods and Heller Nature Center) are part of the ongoing study. Learn more about Park District efforts to protect our oak trees here.

The Park District has converted 60 acres of turf grass into no-mow/naturalized areas since 2018.

Since 2018, the Park District’s Natural Areas Team has been converting turf grass into no-mow/naturalized areas.

Larry Fink Park was the first location, followed by Sunset Woods Park (pictured), and soon part of Sleepy Hollow will be converted. The Preserve of Highland Park is a great example of a naturalization project, as the Preserve was created by naturalizing a golf course.  

Learn more about the District’s efforts here.

Tracking the District’s Footprint to Tread Lighter

In 2025, the District will be conducting a Greenhouse Gas Inventory for 2024, which will serve as a baseline measure for the sustainability plan. The Park District joined ICLEI, a network of Local Governments for Sustainability, and will be using their ClearPath tool to calculate the inventory.

When complete, the baseline data will be shared here alongside a reduction goal and the inventory will be used to track progress.