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The Parks Foundation donates $10,000

“The Parks Foundation of Oak Park donates $10,000 to PDOP’s Scholarship Fund”

The Park District of Oak Park received a generous donation of $10,000 from the Parks Foundation to support its Scholarship Fund. The District’s Scholarship Fund is available to assist under-resourced individuals and families who lack financial access participate in Park District programs.


Each year, the Parks Foundation supports the Scholarship Fund with donations secured from hosting fundraising events along with individual gifts. Edward Kerros, Parks Foundation vice president, stated “We believe in fostering connections and building community among Oak Park residents. Participating in Park District programming affords all individuals the opportunity to do just that.”
Jan Arnold, executive director, said “The Parks Foundation is an invaluable partner and supports the Park District in many ways. We are especially grateful for their support of our Scholarship Fund as their donations aide in our efforts to ensure equitable access to our parks and programs.”


Scholarships are awarded on an annual basis to each individual in a qualifying household. Funds may be applied to all Park District programs, including classes, passes, and special events reducing the cost of a program up to 75%. Applications for the 2023 Scholarship Fund will be released online December 1. Individuals are encouraged to apply for funds each year. Please visit pdop.org/scholarships.

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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://www.pdop.org/.

About the Parks Foundation of Oak Park: The Parks Foundation promotes giving opportunities around Oak Park parks and to support extraordinary projects within the Park District of Oak Park. Its mission is to collaborate with Oak Park residents, community groups and partner organizations to support exceptional and extraordinary projects that enhance our parks and community life. Founded in 2012, the Foundation is chartered with the State of Illinois as a 501(c)3 charitable organization. While a separate and independent entity, the Foundation coordinates closely with the Park District of Oak Park to help address community health, recreation and wellness needs for all. For more information, visit the Parks Foundation website at: https://parksfoundationop.org.

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Won Emerald Award from Illinois Green Alliance

“Park District of Oak Park Earns Emerald Award from Illinois Green Alliance for Commitment to Sustainability”

The Illinois Green Alliance awarded the Park District of Oak Park with the Organizational Emerald Award for Green Building in Illinois last week. Since 2014, the Park District has prioritized sustainability throughout the District, including waste reduction, energy efficiency, clean energy, and water conservation and reuse. The Park District’s sustainability actions save over $200,000 per year.


Two notable Park District buildings, the Carroll Community Center and the Community Recreation Center (CRC), represent the District’s continued focus on sustainability. Carroll Center became the second facility in Illinois to be verified a net zero facility earlier this year. The Center was constructed using Passive House design principles to attain a quantifiable and rigorous level of energy efficiency. Coupled with a solar array, the building achieved Net Zero status and continues to operate as Zero Source energy facility.


The Park District’s Community Recreation Center (CRC) construction includes design and engineering to operate as a net zero building as well. The all-electric building features airtight construction and energy saving devices, including a VRF HVAC system, triple pane windows, and insulation to reduce the energy needed to operate while the solar array collects clean, renewable energy to support its reduced energy needs. Construction of the CRC will be complete in the spring of 2023.


The Park District received grants from the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation to construct these Net Zero buildings. In addition, the Village of Oak Park provided a grant to help fund the Net Zero building requirements of the CRC.


“It’s an honor to receive such an award. Not only does it recognize our efforts, but it validates our commitment sustainability,” said Chris Lindgren, superintendent of parks and planning. “We’d like to thank Tom Bassett-Dilley and Mark Nussbaum for their architectural and engineering excellence.”

Chris Wollmuth, Park District Commissioner, said “Sustainability is a core value at the Park District. We’re proud to be recognized for these efforts and hope that we can inspire others to follow in our footsteps.”


For more information on the Park District’s environmental initiatives, visit https://www.pdop.org/about/environment/.

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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://www.pdop.org/.

About Illinois Green Alliance: Illinois Green Alliance is a membership directed nonprofit organization working to transform the region’s built environment to become ecologically sustainable, profitable, and healthy. To do so, we engage community leaders and utilize member expertise in education and community outreach through targeted programs and initiatives focused around green homes, communities, schools and existing buildings. With hundreds of passionate members and volunteers who lend their time and expertise, Illinois Green provides nearly 75 educational programs, community engagement events, tours and advocacy initiatives each year.

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NEW! Check-in Procedure Coming to RCRC

Ridgeland Common welcomes many visitors each and every day. In an effort to direct and connect with our visitors, beginning August 15, all Ridgeland Common visitors 12 years of age and older will be required to check with staff upon entering the facility. Read on to see the quick and easy options for checking in:

Show your mobile Digital Access Card located in your Amilia account OR show a picture ID and sign waiver.

Let check-in staff know and proceed to Customer Service.

Show your mobile Digital Access Card located in your Amilia account. Then, staff will direct you to the drop-off area.

  • Show your mobile Digital Access Card located in your Amilia Account OR show a picture ID and sign waiver
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Received the GFOA award 2020 Audit Report

“Park District of Oak Park receives GFOA award for 2020 financial audit report”

The Park District of Oak Park’s annual comprehensive financial report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 has met the requirements to be awarded GFOA’s Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting.

The GFOA established the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting Program (Certificate Program) in 1945 to encourage and assist state and local governments to go beyond the minimum requirements of generally accepted accounting principles to prepare annual comprehensive financial reports that evidence the spirit of transparency and full disclosure and then to recognize individual governments that succeed in achieving that goal.

The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in governmental accounting and financial reporting.

See the award letter HERE!

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PDOP’s Carroll Center Becomes Second Facility in Illinois to be Net Zero Verified

The Park District of Oak Park has announced that the New Buildings Institute has verified that the District’s Carroll Center has become the second facility in all of Illinois to have energy standards meet net zero energy performance. To meet this requirement, a building must generate as much energy as it consumes over the course of a year.
“It’s a huge accomplishment for our Park District to both build and operate a facility that meets this verification, and we’re thrilled to receive acknowledgment of that effort,” said Chris Lindgren, superintendent of parks and planning. “We’d like to thank Tom Bassett-Dilley and Mark Nussbaum for their architectural and engineering excellence, as our goal has always been to preserve and protect the environment. This is a step in that direction, and this project accomplishment falls in line with our core values of sustainability.”

The Carroll Center was constructed using Passive House design principles, which are used to attain a quantifiable and rigorous level of energy efficiency, including superinsulation and airtight construction along with continuous ventilation to achieve a comfortable building temperature year-round while using as little energy as possible. Some additional building features that contributed to this verification include triple-glazed windows, super insulated roof/walls/slab, LED lighting, electrical load monitoring, daylighting and urban timber re-use.

“There are very few others working toward this verification in Illinois, but the initiative is growing rapidly,” said Jan Arnold, executive director. “We’re proud to be at the forefront of this movement to protect the world around us while providing for our community members, and we hope others can follow in these steps towards sustainability.”

Previously, the Park District was awarded a grant from the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation to achieve Source Zero Energy Certification and Passive House Certification for the Carroll Center expansion project. The Park District has also committed to building its upcoming Community Recreation Center (CRC) as a Net Zero building through a similar grant from the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation, as well as supplemental funding from the Village of Oak Park’s sustainability funding.
For more information on the Park District’s environmental initiatives, visit https://www.pdop.org/about/environment/.

About Park District of Oak Park: The Park District of Oak Park serves the recreation needs of Oak Park’s 52,000 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://www.pdop.org/.

About Park District of Oak Park: The Park District of Oak Park serves the recreation needs of Oak Park’s 52,000 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://www.pdop.org/.