Welcome to the Parks & Recreation Department
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 Thank you for visiting the Parks & Recreation Department, located in the Recreation Center at 400 Hastings Road. The Recreation Center offices are open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
National Gold Medal Award Winner for
Excellence in the Field of Parks and Recreation Management
Phase 1A of the new park is approximately 70% complete
as of October 29, 2007. Work completed to date includes:
excavation, construction of the detention ponds, soil
pulverization, mass and fine grading, irrigation lines and
digging of the well shaft.
Phase 1B which includes construction of the various
recreation site amenities will be bid in January 2008 with
construction tentatively planned to begin in April 2008. Phase
IB items will include construction of baseball infields,
baseball backstops and dugouts, walking trail, parking lot, park
pavilion and remaining landscaping. In addition, the Rt. 60 park
project was selected to advance through the first screening of
grant applications by the Illinois Department of Natural
Resources. The $400,000 matching grant announcement will be made
in January 2008.
The overall goal is to complete Phase IA & Phase IB so that
residents may begin to enjoy the new fields and park by fall
2008.
Summer Camp
We have put together all the Summer Camps into
one book! You should have received it in the mail. It is also available at the Recreation Center buildings, City
Hall and the Municipal Services building. You can also
view the camp brochure
 (2.85Mb - 26 pages) on-line. Due to a delay in
getting the books out the registration date has changed from
what was printed. For residents, the registration date is Wednesday,
February 27, 2008; and for non-residents it is Tuesday, March 4,
2008. If you have any questions please contact the office
at 847-234-6700. Don't forget registration starts at 8:30
a.m., and you can register on-line at
www.LFRec.com, bring it in to
the Recreation Center office, mail it or fax it in.
The 2008 Spring / Summer Brochure is available at LFRec.com!
 You can view all of the programs by
activity on LFRec.com. Registration
for Residents is March 18, 2008 starting at 8:30a.m.
On-line registration and the office will start at the same time. If you do
not want to register on-line then download a Registration Form
(203k - 2 pages) to fax, mail or hand deliver to the Recreation Center. Contact 847-234-6700 if you have any questions.
The Lake Forest Parks & Recreation Department is committed to providing residents of all ages positive experiences through a variety of high quality programs, activities, and services under the direction of professional and dedicated staff who are responsive to the changing needs of the community. Keep up to date with our bi-weekly newsletter, P.R. News
(89k -
1 page), filled with information about all the different program areas. We are always looking for part time employees to meet the constantly changing needs of the Parks & Recreation Department. If you are interested, visit the employment page for current opportunities. Also, let us know how we are doing. If you love a program and think the instructor is fantastic, give them a "high five." Our High Five Form
(20k - 1 page) is a way of saying thanks for the hard work. These go into the employee's file and are published for everyone to see. It is nice to tell someone they are doing a great job.
On-line Registration
Anytime ..... Anywhere!
Lake Forest residents are able to register for Parks and Recreation Department classes on line at
www.LFRec.com. To access an on-line account, you will need to have an email address on file with the department along with an account user ID and PIN number. Call the Parks and Recreation office at 847-234-6700 or email to lfrec@cityoflakeforest.com for more information. In order to make on-line registration available to Lake Forest residents we had to change our registration system. Registration is taken on a first come first serve basis now. You can register at your convenience anytime......anywhere......
| "From the Park Bench" - by
Mary Van Arsdale, Director of Parks & Recreation |
They say “time flies when you are having fun” and I
couldn’t agree more. My first year as your new
Director of Parks and Recreation flew by and during 2007
we accomplished many projects that will
enhance your family’s recreation enjoyment:
- We began construction on the brand new sports
field park at Route 60.
- We dedicated a brand new playground at
Northcroft Park and a state-of-the art batting cage
at Deerpath Park.
- We kicked off the North Shore Sanitary District
project at the lakefront.
- We helped assist with the first Friends Festival
and Fireworks community event.
- We converted 3 racquet courts at the Recreation
Center.
- We joined efforts with Lake Forest College to
offer a family movie night on the campus.
- Our Parks Crew helped support more community
events than ever before.
- Deerpath Golf Course re-opened in record time
after an unprecedented volume of rain in August.
- Our youth football teams were 40-0.
- Our Dance Academy was the opening act at Navy
Pier WinterFest.
- The Fitness Center and Kinderhaven Preschool got
a whole new look.
- And the list could go on….
What is on the horizon for 2008?
- WildLife Discovery Center will open in its new
space at the historically restored Elawa Farm.
(April 2008)
- Deerpath Community Preschool Playground, a brand
new state-of-the-art playground, will open just east
of the Recreation Center. (May 2008)
- Boating enthusiasts will enjoy the new floating
docks at Forest Beach. (May 2008)
- Tennis courts at West Park and Deerpath Park
will be resurfaced. (May 2008)
- USA Junior Olympic Sailing Festival-Upper
Midwest will be held at Forest Beach. (June 2008)
- Expanded green initiatives will include
incorporating recycling containers in all of our
parks and recreation facilities.
- Friends of Parks and Recreation will host a
bigger and more amazing Fireworks and Festival
celebration.
- Route 60 Community Park will open beginning with
a Grand Opening Dedication. (September 2008)
- Deerpath Golf Course bridges will be replaced.
(December 2008)
- Any many more enhancements to make your 2008 fly
by…
It’s going to be a GREAT 2008!
Mary Van Arsdale Director of Parks and Recreation |
Please take time to enjoy a recreation program and visit our wonderful park sites!
Northern Suburban Special Recreation
Association
NSSRA is a partnership
that provides year-round recreation and leisure opportunities
for children, teens, adults and seniors with disabilities. For more information about NSSRA, please call 847-509-9400,
email to info@nssra.org or check their website,
www.nssra.org.
For information about NSSRA inclusion services in our
programs, contact Wendy McKiernan at 847-615-4331. | 
