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Rehm Pool Diving Well to Undergo Renovations

Rehm Pool is set for an exciting transformation during the 2024-2025 off-season. The diving well, after nearly 60 years of service, will be replaced with fun water activities for all ages. New features will include waterslides, a lily pad crossing, and a current channel. These renovations address structural concerns with the aging diving well. Ridgeland Common Pool will continue to offer a diving area for those who enjoy using the boards.

The Park District of Oak Park hosted two town hall meetings in the spring of 2023 to present design options and gather community input. Additional updates are planned for the future, including boiler and pool gutter replacements, as well as bathhouse improvements.

Click here to see the latest updates.

banner advertising new rehm pool activity pool with water slides, lily pad crossing, and current channel

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Park District of Oak Park Unveils New Mosaic

motor row mosaic on parking lot wall

Park District of Oak Park Unveils New Mosaic Mural “Motor Row” by Artist Carolyn Elaine and the Off the Wall Apprentices

OAK PARK, IL (Aug. 19, 2024) – The Park District of Oak Park is thrilled to announce the
installation of a captivating new artwork by esteemed mosaicist Carolyn Elaine and the “Off the Wall” Arts program under the Oak Park Area Arts Council. This vibrant mosaic “Motor Row” now adorns the additional Community Recreation Center parking lot wall at 228-230 Madison Street, adding a touch of history and beauty to this community space.

Carolyn Elaine and the Off the Wall apprentice artists designed, constructed, and installed the mosaic which pays homage to Motor Row, a historically significant stretch of Madison Street where visitors could purchase automobiles, accessories or find maintenance services.

Carolyn Elaine together with the Off the Wall apprentice artists are known for many stunning mosaics across Oak Park, including the recent renovation of the mosaic artwork “Stories of our Neighborhood” on the east wall of the Community Recreation Center (CRC).

“The Park District of Oak Park is proud to support local artists and bring public art to our
community spaces,” said Kassie Porreca, President of the Park District Board of Commissioners. “We invite everyone to visit the space to experience this beautiful mosaic and appreciate the rich history it represents.”

Camille Wilson White, Executive Director of the Oak Park Area Arts Council, stated “The Oak Park Area Arts Council is very proud to offer the Off the Wall program for the past 19 years. Many of the young apprentices who have gone through the program are now teachers or professional artists. They credit the Off the Wall program with developing not only their artistic skills, but also developing their leadership skills. They love the program and are so grateful to the Oak Park Area Arts Council for continuing and growing this tremendous program.”

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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.

About the Off the Wall: Off the Wall is a summer youth employment program in which young adults aged 16-22 apprentice with master artists to design, construct, and install mosaic and bricolage murals in Oak Park and neighboring communities. The program began in 2005 and has since overseen the installation of over fifteen large- scale murals. The program is a great opportunity for young artists to engage in meaningful and enriching employment which provides experience and benefits the community. Learn more at oakparkareaartscouncil.org.

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PDOP Wins 2024 GFOA Distinguished Budget Award

gfoa

(Chicago, Illinois)—Government Finance Officers Association is pleased to announce that Park District of Oak Park, Illinois received GFOA’s Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for its budget.

The award represents a significant achievement by the entity. It reflects the commitment of the governing body and staff to meeting the highest principles of governmental budgeting. In order to receive the budget award, the entity had to satisfy nationally recognized guidelines for effective budget presentation. These guidelines are designed to assess how well an entity’s budget serves as:

  • a policy document
  • a financial plan
  • an operations guide
  • a communications device

Budget documents must be rated “proficient” in all four categories, and in the fourteen mandatory criteria within those categories, to receive the award.

There are over 1,700 participants in the Budget Awards Program. The most recent Budget Award recipients, along with their corresponding budget documents, are posted quarterly on GFOA’s website. Award recipients have pioneered efforts to improve the quality of budgeting and provide an excellent example for other governments throughout North America.

Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) advances excellence in government finance by providing best practices, professional development, resources, and practical research for more than 22,500 members and the communities they serve.

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CRC Celebrates its First Year of Impact

crc front of building with biker

Park District of Oak Park Community Recreation Center Celebrates its First Year of Impact; Thousands of community members have found A Place to Belong

(OAK PARK, IL) – Last May, the Park District of Oak Park (PDOP) opened its doors to the new Community Recreation Center (CRC), providing Oak Park children, teens, adults and seniors A Place to Belong with affordable and accessible health and wellness facilities, basketball courts, pickleball courts, walking track and safe after-school programming.

The CRC recently hosted an anniversary celebration with healthy snacks and gifts for members, but the real celebration was the impact on the community.

Providing Access for Everyone
“We have served over 10,000 individuals at the CRC all within the first year of opening, showing the real need for this space,” said Jan Arnold, Park District of Oak Park executive director. “We’re proud to help advance the health and wellness of our residents – giving kids a place to go after school and providing accessible resources for recreation.”

Elisa Mathis of Oak Park joined the CRC when it opened and has benefited from a CRC scholarship. “Without the scholarship, I could not afford the gym or any activities.” Since joining the CRC, Mathis has seen her health improve. During the week, you’ll find her walking the indoor track or working out in the fitness center. She also participates in several active adult programs.

Oak Park’s Only Indoor Basketball Courts
When planning began in 2019, there were a few amenities residents identified as “must haves,” including an indoor basketball court. Before the CRC, Oak Park had no indoor basketball court, leaving a significant gap in programming opportunities and safe spaces for children and teens after school and on weekends.

The indoor basketball court and renewed interest in the WNBA have spurred a growing interest in the PDOP’s women’s basketball league, bucking a nationwide trend of female participation declining in sports. “Our league is growing every year,” Arnold said.

Oak Park resident Lindsay Gaskins celebrates the program’s growth. “There are so many women who played basketball in their past that are coming out of the woodwork and starting to play again, which is great.”

Safe Spaces
When the school bell rings, where do kids go? They head to the CRC for open gym, tutoring and epic e-sports battles.

But Oak Park teens seek more than a place to exercise or hang out with friends. They’re also looking for safe spaces to share their thoughts, feelings and experiences – a place to seek a listening ear, guidance and resources in a private and nonjudgmental manner.

The Park District partnered with the Community Mental Health Board of Oak Park. “If teens are struggling with suicidal ideation or feelings of hopelessness, they know they are not alone,” said Cheryl Potts, executive director of the Community Mental Health Board of Oak Park Township. The group has offered 35 free workshops and supported more than 200 community members.

Positively Impacting the Environment
The Park District is committed to sustainability and designed the CRC as a certified Net Zero building. To achieve this, the building features:

  • More than 660 solar panels
  • Energy-producing treadmills
  • High-efficiency HVAC systems and LED lighting throughout
  • Permeable pavers that catch precipitation and surface runoff, allowing it to filter to the soil
    below
  • Benches inside the building built using reclaimed wood from trees from Park District parks

But Wait, There’s More
In one year, the CRC also:

  • Became self-funding
  • Welcomed 5,000 paid members and 6,000 walking track members
  • Provided after-school programming for more than 1,200 middle and high school students, with
    access to homework tutoring, mental health resources, sports and other activities
  • Offered 40 walk-in hours per week with the Community Mental Health Board
  • Hosted 30 public events and meetings, including the Oak Park/River Forest Chamber of
    Commerce Health and Wellness Fair

For more information on the CRC, visit pdop.org/crc.

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About Park District of Oak Park: The Park District of Oak Park serves the recreation needs of Oak Park’s 53,000 residents, providing nearly 3,000 programs and special events annually throughout our versatile recreation centers, 18 parks totaling 84 acres, 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 https://pdop.org/.