Department of Recreation, Parks & Community Health

Updates:

January 19, 2020
Covid-19 Restore Illinois Mitigation Update
Park Forest Department of Recreation, Parks & Community Health

Good afternoon Park Forest

With the latest easing of restrictions announced yesterday (1/18/21) by Governor Pritzker, the Park Forest, Department of Recreation, Parks & Community Health is happy to announce the following:

Park Forest Tennis & Health Club - Doubles play will resume at the Park Forest Tennis & Health Club. Additionally, group lessons (8 or fewer) will resume. The requirement to wear a mask still applies. Please call the Park Forest Tennis & Health Club 708-481-6060 with any questions.

Programs and classes suspended in December will resume. Please call the Department of Recreation, Parks & Community Health at 708-748-2005 for details on resumption of classes and registration information.

Trips: No in-state trips are planned through the winter 2021. A list of upcoming trips is listed on the Recreation, Parks & Community Health website. Please contact the Department of Recreation, Parks and Community Health at 708-748-2005 to be placed on a trip list for updates.

Room and Facility Rentals are suspended for the time being. Check the Department of Recreation, Parks & Community Health Facility Rentals webpage for updates.

Parks remain open.

For more detailed information regarding these new mitigations, plus additional industry-specific guidelines, please visit https://coronavirus.illinois.gov/s/restore-illinois-mitigation-plan.

Sincerely,

Robert Gunther, Director
Recreation, Parks & Community Health
Village of Park Forest
708-283-5648
rgunther@vopf.com

2021 Park/Equipment Permits

Central Park Pavilion 2016

HOW TO OBTAIN A 2021 PARK/EQUIPMENT PERMIT
NEW PROCEDURE - PRE-REGISTRATION APPOINTMENT REQUIRED

Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the annual Park Permit Lottery will not be held this year. A new procedure for obtaining Park/Equipment Permits for 2021 is listed below.

Click here - How to Obtain a 2021 Park/Equipment Permit

If you have any questions, please contact the Department of Recreation, Parks & Community Health at 708-748-2005.

Booking capacity for 2021 permits will be restricted to a maximum of 50 attendees. Should state COVID-19 public health restrictions change at any point in 2021, capacities can be adjusted by contacting Recreation, Parks & Community Health Department and paying the difference in price (if any.)

Mission Statement

The Department of Recreation, Parks & Community Health operates under the philosophy that its facilities are available to all residents of Park Forest for a reasonable cost and its programs and services are available to everyone, regardless of one’s ability to pay, their ethnic background or orientation. In its interactions, the Department will treat all peoples with dignity and respect.

The department’s mission is to enhance the quality of life for all peoples and to advance the use and enjoyment of parks, recreation and environmental conservation under the guiding values of community Health & Wellness, Sustainability and Social Equity.

Vision Statement

The Department of Recreation, Parks & Community Health will be a nationally recognized provider of exceptional, community driven experiences in parks and recreation with special regard to community health, social equity, fiscal and environmental sustainability.

Overview

The Department of Recreation, Parks & Community Health offers close to 120 recreational activities and instructional programs, and is responsible for roughly 400 acres of park land including:

Ball fields
Bark District Dog Park
Playgrounds
Picnic Pavilions
Skate park
Tennis courts

Facilities

Additionally, the Department of Recreation, Parks & Community Health operates the regionally popular Park Forest Aqua Center, the Park Forest Tennis and Health Club and Freedom Hall.

Department of Recreation, Parks & Community Health has expanded its services to include Community Health. Contact the department with questions on where to go for various health services as well as health and wellness programming and workshops.

The Village’s recreation facilities, public parks and park facilities are available and maintained primarily for and by the residents of Park Forest and it is the general intent to give Village residents priority in the use of these facilities. Both residents and non-residents are welcome to use the Village’s parks and facilities and to enjoy recreational programs in a non-discriminatory manner.

Recreation, Parks & Community Health Brochure

The Department of Recreation, Parks & Community Health brochure is published three times a year. Winter/Spring, Summer and Autumn. Current programs and events are listed on the Recreation, Parks & Community Health Department website. Due to Covid-19 Mitigations the brochure schedule is subject to change.

Please note the registration deadlines for programs.

Please register early or the program/trip may be cancelled due to lack of enrollment.
Information printed in the brochure may change.
Registration Form and Waiver - A completed registration form and signed waiver is required before participating in any program or trip. Form: Registration Form and Waiver

Online Registration

Registration from the comfort of your home with anytime, around the clock access! Create your online account today by clicking the button below.

Please note: some programs will not be available for online registration.