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2026 Seasonal Staff Named Everyday Values Champions

a counselor holds up their certificate while posing for a photo with the executive director

The Park District of Oak Park is committed to fostering a work environment where our values aren’t just words on a wall – they are actively demonstrated in our day-to-day work. The Everyday Values Champions program was designed to recognize and celebrate employees who truly embody these values.

Park District employees nominate their peers for this award, citing specific examples of how they carry out one, or several, of our values. From the pool of nominees, one seasonal staff member was named the Everyday Values Champion per value.

The Park District of Oak Park’s values are: community engagement, responsible leadership, integrity, innovation, sustainability, and inclusivity.

Please join us in congratulating the 2026 Seasonal Staff Everyday Values Champions.

Integrity
Finley E.: Exhibited dependability, a poised demeanor, and willingness to advocate for camp staff during an unfortunate interaction with a community member.

Community Engagement
Max M.: Worked with campers of all ages, finding ways to connect and engage regardless of interest or ability.

Innovation
Zee J.: Created a themed week for Spark Extended and decorated the room to entertain campers.

Responsible Leadership
Isaiah R.: Exhibited a level of reliability and problem-solving beyond the purview of his job, enabling him to make informed decisions critical to pool operations.

Inclusivity
Lucas A.: Engaged a camper from Germany who spoke very little English, assisting him through everyday activities.

Sustainability
Dana B.: Recommended a new route for more efficient plant watering that helped plants get watered in a timely and fuel-efficient fashion.

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New Train Cars Introduced at Rehm Park

The Park District of Oak Park is excited to share the arrival of new train cars at Rehm Park, continuing a beloved tradition since 1960. As one of the park’s most recognizable attractions, the hand-powered trains have created lasting memories for countless children and caregivers.

After the manufacturer of the original train cars went out of business, the Park District continued careful maintenance and thoughtful efforts to extend their lifespan. However, many of the original train cars have reached a point where they can no longer be safely or effectively repaired, and the parts and materials necessary for proper restoration are no longer available. Ensuring the ongoing safety and reliability of this attraction made replacement a necessary step.

In selecting a partner for the new train cars, the Park District prioritized both quality and historical continuity. The company chosen for this project designs the new cars based on the same original manufacturer that produced the original trains, preserving the classic look and feel that the community has come to know and love, while incorporating modern safety and durability standards.

We are thrilled to continue offering this special tradition to Oak Park families for years to come. The new train cars represent both a commitment to safety and an investment in the joyful experiences that make our parks so meaningful.

We look forward to seeing families create new memories aboard the Rehm Park train this season!

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Oak Park Voters Do Not Approve Park District Indoor Aquatics Facility

While a majority of Oak Park residents voted “no” on the recent bond referendum to fund an indoor aquatics facility at the Ridgeland Common Recreation Complex, the Park District remains focused on meeting the community’s recreational needs.

“The Park District of Oak Park Board of Commissioners and staff remain committed to serving our community and appreciate the strong engagement throughout this process,” said Kassie Porreca, President of the Park District Board of Commissioners. “We respect the outcome of the vote and will continue working to provide high-quality recreational spaces and programs for all.”

“We are grateful to residents who participated at every stage — from sharing input through
surveys and attending informational sessions to making their voices heard at the polls,” added Jan Arnold, Executive Director. “This level of engagement reflects the community’s deep commitment to parks and recreation. Moving forward, the District will evaluate options for the outdoor pool at Ridgeland Common while continuing to deliver meaningful and accessible programs.”

As part of its long-term planning, the District will engage the community through planning
meetings to assess future improvements for the Ridgeland outdoor pool, with construction
anticipated for 2031–2032 at an estimated cost of $10 million. For ongoing updates on programs, projects, and services, please visit www.pdop.org and follow us on social media.

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About Park District of Oak Park: The Park District of Oak Park serves the recreation needs of Oak Park’s 54,000 residents, providing nearly 8,000 programs and special events annually throughout our versatile recreation centers, 18 parks totaling 84 acres, a community recreation center, two outdoor pools, indoor ice rink, gymnastic center, the Oak Park Conservatory, Cheney Mansion and Pleasant Home. Since 1912, our high-quality programs and well-maintained parks and facilities have dependably met residents’ diverse leisure, wellness, childcare and other needs and helped enhance quality of life. Learn more at pdop.org/.

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2026 Park & Facility Planning Meetings

Continued investment in our parks and facilities is critical to the Park District’s mission. Each park site plan is revisited and updated within a 10-year period. The Park District revisits each site plan per this policy in order to identify additional park amenities desire by our residents, to budget strategically for these improvements and to be prepared for grant opportunities. To learn more about the Park & Facility Planning process, please click here.

The Oak Park community is invited to attend the following 2026 Park & Facility Planning Review meetings.

Oak Park Conservatory: May 13
Rehm Park: October 14
Euclid Square Park: November 4

Details regarding the location and time for each meeting will be available on our website, social media, and enewsletters.