Lake County Gazette

Staff from the Park District of Highland Park provided updates on several topics at the July 2025 Park Board meeting. Changes to policies 4.00 – 4.25 were reviewed, with Commissioner Beck recommending revisions to policies related to compensation and transgender park patrons. These recommendations will be shared with legal counsel for further consideration. The board’s policy liaisons expressed support for staff’s proposed changes to most policies, pending legal review of Commissioner Beck’s suggestions.

A representative from aQity Research & Insights, Inc. presented results from the 2025 Community Interest and Attitude Survey. The survey gathered community feedback on their overall opinion of the Park District, which parks and facilities are most frequently visited, popular recreational activities, user satisfaction, and perceptions of safety.

Staff outlined goals for the Sustainability Plan known as GreenPath. In its first year, efforts will focus on introducing the GreenPath brand and engaging the community about sustainability initiatives planned through 2035.

The board approved Resolution 2025-09, allowing a lease agreement with Realgy, LLC for installing and operating a photovoltaic solar power plant at the West Ridge Community Center.

Updates were given on construction projects across several sites including Club Pickle and Padel facility improvements, landscaping work, parking lot upgrades, new signage at Park Fitness (Recreation Center of Highland Park), renovations at multiple parks such as Port Clinton Playground and Larry Fink Park Tot Lot, aquatic center renovations at Park Fitness, as well as site improvements at West Ridge Park.

Staff also discussed terms for extending an agreement with First Student Transportation Services for camp seasons in 2026 and 2027.

BerryDunn representatives updated the board on progress made in assessing recreation programs and services offered by the district. This assessment aims to identify strengths and areas where growth is needed based on performance measures aligned with community needs.

The Lakota Group shared findings from recent community engagement sessions that included key themes from surveys, assessments, and staff analyses.

Several approvals were made by the board: adoption of the 2025 GreenPath Sustainability Plan; extension of First Student Transportation Services Agreement; passage of Ordinance 2025-11 regarding surplus property sales; awarding Cahill Heating and Cooling Electric Plumbing & Sewer, Inc. a contract worth $47,900 for replacing Centennial Ice Arena RTU; authorizing an executive agreement; and granting a temporary construction easement to Illinois Department of Transportation.

Program participation figures were reviewed comparing actual numbers versus budgeted projections for adult tennis, adult pickleball, junior tennis programs between summer 2024 – spring 2025; similar comparisons were made for summer camp attendance and revenue data as well as court utilization hours from June 2024 through June 2025.

The board entered closed session under Section 2(c)21 to discuss minutes previously closed under law. They approved releasing minutes from January 29, 2025 for public inspection while maintaining confidentiality over other listed meeting minutes due to ongoing need for privacy.