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Before we let Brian speak, we did have to take care of some very important business - sing "Happy Birthday" to Larry Block! It was great to see our friend! Our fellow Rotarian, Brian Romes, has been the Executive Director of the Park District Highland Park for the past three years. He has been with the Park District for over 16 years. Today, he shared with us an update on all that is the Park District of Highland Park (PDHP)! As their Mission Statement declares, the PDHP is to enrich community life through healthy leisure pursuits and an appreciation of the natural world. This benefits to the community health-wise is all encompassing: physical, emotional and mental wellness. There are 800 acres of parkland in 45 parks, 40 playgrounds, 41 acres of lakefront, nine facilities and 17 athletic fields. There are programs, classes, leagues, summer camps and events available to families. When it comes to the planning and stewardship of these lands, there is a ten year master plan that includes the lakefront, beach, and land management, athletic field, neighborhood parks and sustainability plans. Sunset Woods is getting it's third rocketship and the grand opening of that playground and Tot Lot is this June. Moroney Playground renovations are beginning this year and are expected to be completed in 2023. With the Heller Nature Center and the Preserve of Highland Park (the former HPCC golf course) are among the 250 acres of natural land. This June the Preserve of Highland Park's trails will be opened to the public. The four lakefront properties have witnessed the ravages of Climate change. Brian shared with us pictures of trails and beaches that have been affected. There have been years of excessive rain, higher levels of the lake and erosion of the beaches. Currently, Part Avenue North Beach and Millard Beach are passive (doesn't offer services or facilities). Moraine Beach allows for dogs to be off leash will be undergoing trail improvements this summer. Rosewood Beach has swimming, rentals and of course, the Interpretive Center. Park Avenue South Beach users will soon learn the Board's decision on the breakwater and boat ramp projects. The Board meets on the 27th. Among the facilities slated for renovations is Deer Creek Racquet Club where the locker rooms will be updates and some of the courts will be converted into pickleball courts. The Rec Center's locker rooms will also be renovated this year. Hidden Creek Aqua Park will get a new pool shell this year. Heller Nature Center will have an updates display for their Interpretive Center, West Ridge Center has a rebuilding and renovation plan underway and the Centennial Ice Arena and Gymnastics center will begin improvements this summer. Sunset Golf Club has 3,000 annual rounds of golf for the past three years - this is attributed to "Magnificent Manager" Cole Sangren and his staff. In fact, several of our members echoed this claim. As for financing, the Park District is supported 55% by tax revenue and 45% of it from user fees and alternative revenue sources such as grants and the Parks Foundation. Among the ways to communicate with the community, their website has been updated, they have a social media presence on Facebook and Instagram and a new app which can be downloaded from the Apple store or Google play! |
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