Department of Recreation, Parks & Community Health

News Flash - March 31, 2020
The Department of Recreation, Parks and Community Health’s closure of facilities includes playgrounds and basketball courts. For your own health, the health of our children and others, residents are asked to keep children off of playground equipment and to not use the tennis and basketball courts. Parks are still open for residents to walk and exercise but playgrounds and courts are closed to multiple users. At some point, when the Stay-at-Home orders are lifted, Parks Staff will be pressure washing and sanitizing playgrounds for your continued health and safety.

News Flash - March 16, 2020
As a public health precaution, the Village of Park Forest, Department of Recreation, Parks & Community Health has made the decision to close its public facilities and to suspend all programs effective 10:00 pm, March 16, 2020 to help limit public gatherings, reduce the possibility of exposure to participants and to and help slow the spread of Coronavirus/COVID19. This includes Freedom Hall, the Park Forest Tennis & Health Club and the Recreation Center. All programs and events in these facilities are cancelled or suspended. Trips are also cancelled through March 31, 2020 and trips planned for April are tentative. Additionally, all recreation programs and classes are suspended until March 30, 2020. The tentative plan is to reopen on Monday, March 30, 2020 but as this is a fluid and evolving public health event, dates and time lines are continually being evaluated and updated as necessary.

We are aware of the inconvenience this may cause but firmly believe that we have a shared responsibility with our community to make the tough decisions to insure the safety and health of our residents.

Department staff will be working to ensure that all facilities are cleaned and disinfected when we do reopen as well as determining which programs and events will be cancelled and which can be rescheduled. Cancellations and refunds will be processed as quickly as possible and your patience is appreciated as we work through the process. If there are questions, please call 708-748-2005, Monday from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm and Tuesday through Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Also, visit www.villageofparkforest.com and follow us on social media for the latest updates.

Sincerely,

Robert Gunther, Director
Department of Recreation, Parks & Community Health

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. The current brochures are listed below.

2020 Winter/Spring Brochure

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.