VILLAGE OF LAKE ZURICH PARK AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT
The Village of Lake Zurich Park and Recreation Department enriches the quality of life for the Lake Zurich community through its commitment to maximizing the value of parks and services, environmental stewardship, diversity of uses and recreational opportunities across the complete age spectrum.
The Village of Lake Zurich Park and Recreation Department has 247 acres of park property throughout the village that hosts two beaches, 22 playgrounds, 10 baseball fields, 10 soccer fields, four basketball court locations, six volleyball courts, three tennis court locations, five fishing locations, 12 picnic pavilions, a skate park, sled hill and miles of biking and hiking trails.
The department touched the lives of over 5,000 residents and nonresidents who attended programs and used services in the past year. The department offers services such as shelter rentals and beach passes/daily admittance and an array of programs such day camp, early childhood programs, dance, youth enrichment classes, fitness, youth sports and aquatics. Some new exciting adult offerings that complement existing programming such as guitar, golf, tae kwon do, karate, self-defense and CPR training classes include horseback riding, health and wellness workshops, dog obedience classes and yoga on the beach.
The department also hosts over 45 events annually with over 45,000 in attendance. The top five attended events of last year included July 4 Independence Day Celebration (8,000), Rock the Block (7,500), Miracle on Main Street (2,500), Farmers Market (1,000 average per week) and Craft Beer Festival (1,500).
VILLAGE OF DEER PARK
The Village of Deer Park owns more than 73 acres of parkland and open space. The village offers three community parks, seven neighborhood parks and several natural area and open space lots. The developed parks provide two baseball fields, a softball field, three soccer fields, six tennis courts, six playground, pavilions and several miles of walking and biking trails to residents of the community. Several major parks have been recently improved with ADA-compliant walking paths.
The Vehe Farm includes a soccer field, prairie path, butterfly garden and a restored barn as a community center.
For a list of parks and facilities, visit www.villageofdeerpark.com.›
ELA TOWNSHIP
Ela Township’s 55+ program is dedicated to providing the highest quality recreational, social and supportive services to Ela Township residents age 55 and older. Its goal to foster a warm environment where individuals can explore and enjoy activities and services designed to meet the needs and enrich the lives of the township’s diverse older adult population.
The 55+ program offers a variety of day and evening programming, including health and fitness classes, arts and crafts, games, lunch-and-learns, cuisine clubs, day and long distance trips, discussion groups, guest speakers and special events, such as the annual Holiday Dinner Dance.
The program’s in-house senior resource specialist can answer questions and provide assistance with prescription drug coverage, Medicare and Medicaid, food stamps, transportation, discount programs, meal programs, assisted living and nursing home referrals, counseling and more.
Led by Director Susan Dillon, Ela 55+ operates out of the Ela Community Center at 380 Surryse Rd. in Lake Zurich. Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Membership is free to all residents in Ela Township who are age 55 and older. Sign up at the community center to receive the quarterly newsletter. For more information, call (847) 438-9160, email susandillon@ela55plus.com or visit www.elatownship.org/seniors.
HAWTHORN WOODS PARK DEPARTMENT
The Village of hawthorn Woods Park and Recreation Department is responsible for the maintenance, operation, planning and programming of 21 parks including The Hawthorn Woods Aquatic Center and five natural open space areas. Residents have access to tennis courts, playgrounds (ADA Accessible) softball and baseball fields, Lacrosse and soccer fields, basketball courts, picnic facilities, in-line skating rink, picnic facilities, park gazebos and pavilions and concession stands many available for rent. The Department provides a number of recreation programs, classes, workshops, activities, camps and senior luncheons throughout the year. The Parks and Recreation Department also supports village wide special events including, outdoor movies in the park, summer concerts in the park, car shows, Winter Carnival, Bark in The Park, Independence Celebration Fireworks and Parade, Holiday Craft Fair and Holiday Tree Lighting activities. All offered at no cost to the public. We invite everyone from toddlers to youth, teens, adults and seniors to come out and experience the joy of nature, physical fitness, play and the stimulation of the mind and spirit. Remember, fun is a renewable resource so enjoy it often.
VILLAGE OF KILDEER RECREATION AREAS
There are two recreation/open space areas in the Village of Kildeer along with the first phase of a regional bike path. An athletic field is located next to the Quentin Collection Shopping Center and it is used for sports activities and outdoor events such as the Village’s 50th anniversary celebration. A five acre Nature Center is behind Village Hall that serves as a non-public habitat where wildlife and plants can thrive undisturbed. The first portion of the Village’s bike path system is in place which will connect the Heron’s Creek Forest Preserve NE of Kildeer to the Cuba Marsh Forest Preserve SE of the Village. Kemper Lakes Golf Course, host of the 1989 PGA Championship, is located in the Village. In 2018 Kemper Lakes will again host a major golf tournament, this time it will be the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship.
VILLAGE OF LONG GROVE PARK DISTRICT
The Long Grove Park District was founded as a conservation organization; it is not a traditional park district. The district’s major site is the 49-acre Reed-Turner Woodland, an Illinois-certified Nature Preserve. It is open dawn to dusk every day and features multiple ecosystems and a high diversity of plant and animal life. It is especially noted for its profusion of spring wildflowers.
Other facilities include Buffalo Creek Park in downtown Long Grove, ball fields, and Long View Meadow, a 57-acre area that attracts migrating waterfowl and other birds. The district holds approximately 400 acres in Long Grove designated for conservation to enhance the open space characteristics of Long Grove. Much of this land is wetland. Preserving it adds to wildlife habitat and helps protect the aquifers that provide Long Grove’s water.
The park district offers a variety of sports, nature, crafts and educational programs for youth and adults. Program listings are available on the district’s website. The Reed-Turner Nature Center hosts the meetings of the Long Grove-Kildeer Garden Club and the RTW Botanical Artists’ Circle. Both groups welcome members from any area.
The district is a non-taxing entity relying on donations and volunteer help for its operations.
For more information, visit http://lgparks.org.
VILLAGE OF NORTH BARRINGTON PARKS & RECREATION
Residents are able to enjoy events such as Summer Concerts at Eton Park and fests in the fall and winter organized by The Parks Commission of the Village of North Barrington, a volunteered-based entity. For more information on volunteering for any event, or becoming a member of the parks commission, contact the village at info@northbarrington.org.