Libertyville Recreation and Sports Complex Department
The Libertyville Sports Complex & Recreation Department offers a variety of programs, activities and events for village residents, as well as visitors to Libertyville. Unlike many municipalities that have separate park districts, the Village of Libertyville operates its parks, facilities and recreation programs through the Recreation & Sports Complex Department. The department has received distinguished recognition from the Daily Herald Readers’ Choice Awards as a “Top Pick” and “Best of the Best.”
With 20 parks featuring a wide range of amenities, Libertyville facilities include public swimming pools at Adler Park and Riverside Park. The Crawford House at Butler Lake Park and the Adler Park Lodge are available for public rental use.
Popular Libertyville recreation programs for kids include summer day camps, preschool classes, dance programs, youth basketball leagues, youth indoor soccer leagues, swimming lessons and golf lessons. Special events are hosted throughout the year, including an indoor HalloweenFest, Easter Lunch with the Bunny, Breakfast with Santa, Mom & Son Campfire Cookout, Daddy-Daughter Valentine Dance, Fourth of July Fireworks and the annual Holiday Tree Lighting at Cook Park.
The Libertyville Sports Complex (LSC) campus, located at the corner of Peterson Road and Route 45 on the northwest side of Libertyville, has become a popular destination for sports and special events. LSC’s award-winning facilities include fitness center, golf driving range, softball field with lights and the signature LSC Indoor Events Center. This indoor venue has two artificial turf fields for soccer, lacrosse, football, baseball and other sports, as well as eight basketball courts for basketball, volleyball, field hockey, floor hockey and other sports.
LSC also features conference meeting rooms, a small birthday party room and the region’s tallest climbing mountain. LSC hosts a variety of sports and special events including major youth basketball tournaments, dog agility competitions, trade shows, school graduations and class reunions, family parties and bar/bat mitzvahs. LSC is an annual site for Chicago Blackhawks official Roadwatch parties.
In addition to youth programs, the Libertyville Recreation & Sports Complex Department offers adult leagues for men and women, including softball, indoor soccer and basketball, flag football and co-ed kickball.
For more information, visit www.Libertyville.com/recreation, email ckowal@libertyville.com, stop by the administrative offices at the LSC or call (847) 367-1502.
Mundelein Park & Recreation District
Mundelein Park & Recreation District’s (MPRD) tag line is “Connecting the Our Community.” The park district makes that connection easier for residents to enjoy – with new services, programs and events, while continually improving all community favorites.
MPRD found itself needing more space. With help from a grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, the District in the process of building an additional recreation center set to open in early summer 2018. The new building will have a full-size gym and four multi-purpose rooms, including one room with a teaching kitchen.
This year, Park View Health & Fitness Center celebrates its 20 year anniversary. With streamlined membership packages and unlimited group exercise, there is something here for every interest and age. Free Wi-Fi for members ensures a more enjoyable workout. On-site childcare makes it convenient for parents to fit in a workout.
MPRD offers three water venues to cool off during the summer: Barefoot Bay Family Aquatic Center, Spray Park and Diamond Lake Beach. Barefoot Bay offers six acres of water thrills including four bodies of water: 7,500-square-foot combined leisure and lap swimming pool, 1,100-square-foot diving well, 2,290-square-foot enclosed wading pool for toddlers, three water slides that empty into a 12,900-square-foot plunge pool and lazy river. The Spray Park includes interactive water features, sand play area, sand volleyball courts, shuffleboard courts, and family picnic area. Diamond Lake Beach, a long-time Mundelein tradition, features a sandy beach, boat rentals, picnic area and an inflatable obstacle course.
Residents also connect, relax and enjoy many Special Events. In spring, hundreds of children hop over to the free Spring Egg Hunt to collect eggs and meet the Spring Bunny. The Community Picnic at Diamond Lake Beach in June is a free day of fun and activities, culminating with an evening ski show.
The July Freedom Classic 5K just celebrated its 38th year, attracts about 500 runners, and includes a free half-mile kids run. In August, head to Diamond Lake Beach for the Cardboard Regatta. Boats are constructed using only cardboard, duct tape and paint, and race in the lake. Awards go to fastest boat, crowd favorite and even best sink.
A September highlight is the Mundelein Fine Arts Festival, a popular two-day juried art festival held in conjunction with Mundelein Community Connection. Located in Kracklauer Park, the show features talented artists, live musicians and tasty food. Artwork by select students from Mundelein High School and Carmel Catholic High School is also on display. The festival awards scholarship money to aspiring student artists.
Boo Bash, a free seasonal tradition, involves area businesses and organizations to create fun for children and families. Held in Community Park, this event includes indoor trick or treating, games and prizes, storytelling and tractor-pulled wagon rides through the park.
Some new events include Wild About Mom, a reptilian twist on Mother’s Day and Movie in the Park, a great way to relax with the whole family al fresco. Look for other new events coming this fall.
For more information, call (847) 566-0650 or visit mundeleinparks.org.
Vernon Hills Park District
Since its founding in 1973, the Vernon Hills Park District has been serving the needs of a burgeoning area, as open lands have been gradually replaced by houses full of families. Today the park district owns more than 400 acres of land and water, encompassing 24 parks and seven facilities.
Among park district facilities is the Lakeview Fitness Center at 700 Lakeview Pkwy. Formerly known as the Central Lake YMCA, the building was purchased by the park district in late 2012 and totally transformed, enlarged and updated in 2013.
Today the facility includes a group exercise studio, cardio and free weight rooms with state-of-the-art equipment, a spa area with sauna, steam room and whirlpool, lobby area and a babysitting room. Lakeview’s indoor pool is also the home to the Turtles swim team.
Little Learners Childcare, a fully licensed, DCFS child care facility for ages 6 weeks to 5 years is located within the Lakeview Fitness Center.
The park district also operates the Hawthorn Afterschool Program, which provides positive after school activities for elementary children in a safe and enriching environment. The program is open to students in grades K-6, Monday through Friday with a before-school and afternoon program located at Hawthorn Elementary schools North and South.
The park district’s website, along with three program brochures mailed to residents each year, a monthly E-newsletter sent to subscribers and a monthly newsletter sent to Hawthorn District 73 students, keep park district residents in touch with its many opportunities and offerings, from competitive sports leagues to camps, dance and art classes to festivals.
For more information, visit www.vhparkdistrict.org or call (847) 996-6800.