About Us Archives

Incredible Day: Bike Winnetka, Fall Fest, and Fireworks

Posted September 30, 2021

Winnetka Park District hosts full day of fun for the entire community to enjoy

Winnetka, IL; September 30, 2021 — The Winnetka Park District brought back its beloved fall events in full force Saturday, September 25, 2021. The day was jam-packed with fun for the entire community, starting with Bike Winnetka, followed by Fall Fest, and culminating with a belated Fourth of July fireworks show.

Bike Winnetka, a scenic two- and eight-mile bike ride, was paused in 2020. The Park District hosted the 2021 event to bring back a tradition loved by the community. “It was awesome seeing everyone ride through Winnetka. We had the most participants ever. Thank you, Winnetka! With this year’s success, I’m excited to see how Bike Winnetka can grow in the future,” said James Janesku, recreation supervisor.

“Bike Winnetka was a great time had by all and I even got to enjoy the ride with my family. Ending the bike ride at Fall Fest was a great way to add to the day’s festivities,” said Debbie Zarembski, recreation program coordinator.

Following Bike Winnetka, the Park District hosted its Fall Fest, with events, kids’ activities, live entertainment, food trucks, and festivities reminiscent of prior years. Held at Little Duke Fields, the nostalgic atmosphere provided a bit of everything for all to enjoy.

“This year’s Fall Fest was one for the books. We were so thrilled to host such an awesome day for the community. It felt great to see so many people come out to kick off fall and stick around for our belated Fourth of July fireworks show,” said Toby Ross, recreation supervisor.

The Park District, along with the Village of Winnetka, ended the day with a thirty-minute fireworks show. While the fireworks usually cap off Winnetka’s Fourth of July celebrations, the amazing show was a fantastic way to close out the memorable day.

About the Winnetka Park District

The Winnetka Park District’s mission is to provide a balance of quality recreation and leisure opportunities, while protecting assets, natural resources, and open space for the benefit of present and future generations. We help build an active, vibrant community identity and a sustainable environment by promoting healthy lifestyles for residents of all ages and abilities through quality recreation services, parks, facilities, programs, and partnerships that meet the highest standards of excellence.

Posted in About Us, General, News, Recreation

At-home activities and resources roundup

Posted February 12, 2021

During our district-wide closure, we want to provide the community with tips and ideas to stay happy, active and healthy at home during this challenging time. Follow our ideas for fitness and exercise, indoor and outdoor activities, crafts and projects for all ages. We will be updating this blog post, our Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.

Workouts

woman-exercising

Stay healthy and active with at-home workouts. We’ve started compiling a list with many options – from local studios doing Facebook lives to YouTube channels to free trials!

Kid Activities

Virtual Museum and Parks Visits

Meditation and more

Helpful Links

Shop local: list of Winnetka businesses offering specialty services
Winnetka-Northfield Public Library: ebooks, online crafts, movie streaming, and more
Village of Winnetka
COVID-19 updates 
CDC COVID-19 information
CDC managing anxiety & stress
Illinois Department of Health COVID-19 information
Posted in About Us, General, News

A Special Message from the Village, District 36, and the Winnetka Park District

Posted August 24, 2020

Dear Winnetka Neighbors,

Since March, we have been asked to think and act in different ways, adjust to a constantly-changing atmosphere, and make a number of compromises in our daily lives  that will help support our community in preventing the spread of COVID-19. Vigilance about mask-wearing, social distancing, and maintaining sanitization of hands and personal spaces has required major changes in the ways in which we live, work, and socialize.

As we segue from summer to fall, and the beginning of the school year for the children in our community, your Village and District leaders are doing their best to plan for an unprecedented situation. In accordance with guidance from the State of Illinois, Illinois School Board of Education, and Illinois Department of Public Health, our school year will look very different this year to best support the safety and health of our community. We are mindful that the spread of the virus anywhere in our community is dangerous for everyone involved and have thoughtfully identified best practices to help support the safest way forward for our children, teachers, and administrators. 

In early spring, we were unaware of the critical need to wear masks around others. We now know that masks are key to preventing the spread of COVID-19. Social distancing has become an accepted practice, but maintaining social distancing can be difficult, as it is our natural instinct to be close with one another as friends and neighbors.

As the weather turns colder, we will be inside for longer durations of time. We have learned that air circulation, natural to the outdoors, is another way to avoid concentrated exposure to the virus, should you unknowingly be in proximity to a carrier. Summer weather has been conducive to outdoor activities, though we have seen spikes in case numbers because of gatherings that occur without best practices in place.

The combination of colder weather and the fact that our children will be back in school on a hybrid schedule makes it more critical than ever for each of us to maintain the practices we know work to prevent the spread of the virus, and to encourage best practices in others such as mask-wearing, hand-washing, maintaining social distancing, staying home if you are sick, and getting tested if you experience symptoms or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19.

We know the last thing anyone wants is a spike in COVID-19 cases. With this in mind, let’s encourage each other to follow public health guidance that will support the well-being of our community, the recovery of our economy, and a return to schools (with safety measures in place). We are confident that if we take seriously the identified best practices of mask-wearing, social distancing, hand-washing, and staying home if you are sick, we can limit the spread of this disease in Winnetka.

We appeal to each of you to help us. We are all in this together, and by taking this threat seriously we can each be a part of the solution.

Sincerely,


Chris Rintz
Village President

Dawn Livingston
President, District 36 School Board

Mickey Archambault
President, Winnetka Park District Board of Commissioners

Posted in About Us, Board, News

Tennis Returns to Winnetka!

Posted May 14, 2020

In accordance with national, state, and local directives, and industry guidelines, we’ve developed a phase-in approach to tennis. Our number one priority is to provide a safe, cautious, and slow return to tennis. Here is the current four-phased overview to gradually return to tennis:

Our responsibility is to provide a safe, cautious, and slow return to tennis. Please review the United States Tennis Association website to learn more about playing tennis safely.

The first phase of tennis in Winnetka will look different in many ways. Here are the current guidelines to begin play using the outdoor courts:

  • The courts currently are available via the reduced operating hours of 6:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., seven days a week.
  • All courts must be reserved by contacting the A.C. Nielsen front desk. Please dial (847) 501-2065 ext. 0.
  • Each participant will be required to waive claims and hold the Park District harmless for injuries, illness or losses, including COVID-19, sustained as a result of his or her tennis play at the Park District.
  • While it is not mandated, each player is encouraged to use a mask or a bandana mask.
  • Currently, only singles recreational play is permitted.
  • Play is limited to two adults. If one player is 18 years of age or younger, she/he must be accompanied by an adult within the minor’s immediate family.
  • Private lessons are provided on a one-on-one format only.
  • Each player is required to use no more than six (6) specifically numbered tennis balls to manage touch-points between players.
  • At the time of a reservation. A two-can ball purchase will be required for $10.
  • Ball purchase will be charged at time of reservation. Payment for the tennis balls will be by credit card only.
  • Balls will be delivered to the court at your reserved time.
  • To manage social distancing, only outdoor courts are available (courts 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 10, and 12).
  • Indoor facility and related amenities remain closed.
  • All drinking fountains are off and all bathrooms are closed.
  • No food is permitted on the courts.
  • All benches and score tenders have been removed from the courts.
  • All entrance gates must remain open.
  • Congregating is not permitted on the courts, near the courts, or in the parking lot.

The Nielsen Tennis Center operates as an enterprise fund within the Winnetka Park District and is supported solely by user fees. Since early March, the facility and its operations have been significantly impacted, leading to a significant financial impact. We ask that you support safe play practices and the Nielsen Tennis Center by purchasing a two (2) canisters of new tennis balls for $10 total, which will include differently numbered balls for each player to handle.

As always the Winnetka Park District thanks you for your support of the A.C. Nielsen Tennis Center as we continue to work together to bring tennis back in a safe manner.

Call (847) 501-2065 ext. 0 to reserve a court today!

Posted in About Us, Board, General, News, Tennis

Winnetka Resident and Former Board Member Named Park District Executive Director

Posted April 27, 2020

The Winnetka Park District Board of Commissioners appointed resident and former vice president of the park board, John Peterson, as the new executive director of the park district at the April 23 board meeting. Peterson’s appointment is effective May 1. He replaces John Muno who served as executive director since March 2017. Muno will be retiring after more than 30 years in the parks and recreation industry, including nine years with the Winnetka Park District. Muno and Peterson will work closely together now through July to ensure a smooth transition of leadership.

“The board and I are confident that John Peterson is the right person to lead the park district, especially through these uncertain times,” said Mickey Archambault, park board president. “He is a seasoned leader with extensive experience managing and directing business operations. This combined with his first-hand knowledge of our community makes him uniquely qualified to lead the Winnetka Park District successfully into the future.”

Peterson has served on the park board since May 2015, taking on the role of vice president in 2018. He has been involved in several large-scale park projects, including the renovation of both Hubbard Woods and Dwyer Parks and the development and execution of the Winnetka Waterfront 2030 Plan. He has also served on the board’s administration, revenue facilities, and stormwater management committees, and as a park district representative to the Winnetka Parks Foundation and District 36.

Peterson and his wife, Julie, have resided in the North Shore since 1991, moving to Winnetka in 2012. They have a daughter and a son who attended District 36 and New Trier. Peterson earned a bachelor of science in journalism and a bachelor of arts in economics from Northwestern University, as well as a masters in management from the Kellogg School of Management. He spent his 31-year career with Aon plc, holding various leadership roles to establish and grow business units, improve employee engagement, drive client excellence, and deliver strong financial performance.

Posted in About Us, Board, General, News

Winnetka Park District Monitoring Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Posted March 11, 2020

The Winnetka Park District is carefully monitoring developments of COVID-19 (coronavirus). While the current risk to Illinois residents remains low, we’re taking steps to prepare and are working closely with the Village of Winnetka, the library, and school districts in planning, response and communication.

What you can do

  • Wash hands often especially before eating and after sneezing, coughing, or contact with public surfaces.
  • Wash with soap or alcohol-based hand cleaners for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue away.
  • Stay home when you are sick.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

What we are doing

  • As a matter of standard practice, staff disinfect bathrooms/locker rooms, and clean the public areas of our facilities, shared equipment (skates, racquets, etc.), and frequently touched surfaces daily.
  • Additional disinfecting is being done by staff throughout the day and overnight using effective and safe products.
  • Hand sanitizer has been placed in all lobby areas for public use at our facilities.

Resources

Posted in About Us, Board, General, News

Beach Conditions & Closures this Summer

Posted March 11, 2020

Due to record high lake levels and several severe winter storms, our beaches have sustained unprecedented damage in recent months. Below is a look into the current conditions of our beaches and what that means for the 2020 beach season. These plans may change pending future lakefront conditions.

Lloyd Beach

Current Conditions

Lloyd has seen the most severe damage this winter. On the north end of the beach, the lake has overtaken the existing steel seawall structure, rising past the boathouse. January storms caused irreparable damage to the boardwalk and boat rack structures. Portions of these structures were taken by the storm. The damaged pieces that remained were removed by staff.

On the southend, the water continues to erode the bluff. At current lake levels, the south portion of the beach is not useable.

  • South end
  • North end December 2019
  • North end February 2020

2020 Beach Season: Partially Open

The boat launch/pier and a portion of the beach on the north end will be available for boat launching.

The remainder of the beach and the boat house will be closed. Storage racks will be relocated to the lower parking lot and made available to rent from Memorial Day to Labor Day at a reduced rate of $240 for residents. Parking will not be allowed in the lower parking lot. Portable toilets will be available to patrons. No boat rentals will be available.

Park District lakefront camps – Winnetka Water Explorers and Jr Sailing Camp – will not take place this summer. The park district’s Adventure Camp will incorporate kayaking and SUP into the curriculum.

Tower Road Beach

Current Conditions

The condition of Tower Road Beach is currently good. The extent of damage has been loss of some beach due to current lake levels. A large portion of the beach remains fully intact and useable.

As part of the Winnetka Waterfront 2030 plan, bluff restoration efforts and staircase construction is currently underway. This is scheduled to be complete late June.

2020 Beach Season: Open

The beach and concessions will be open this season. It will open weekends only June 6, then daily starting June 13.

While construction of the staircase and bluff restoration are underway, a new traffic pattern will be in place. This includes a three foot wide temporary walkway along the beach access road. The lower lot will be open for resident parking. The upper parking lot will be available to both residents and non-residents. Staff will be present to direct and maintain a safe traffic flow.

Maple Street Beach

Current Conditions

Similar to Tower Road Beach, Maple Street Beach’s current condition is good. Some loss of beach has occured due to current lake levels.

2020 Beach Season: Open

Maple street will be open this season from June 13 to August 23. It will remain a swimming only beach. The pier may be closed at times due to hazardous lake conditions.

Elder Lane Beach

Current Conditions

At current lake levels, Elder has lost all of its useable beach. The boat racks have been removed, and the foundation they sat on has been damaged.

  • Looking north summer 2018
  • Looking north February 2020

2020 Beach Season: Closed

Elder will remain closed for the 2020 beach season due to lack of useable beach and potential safety concerns. The beach house will be closed and not available for rent or patron use. Barriers will be installed to prevent access to the beach.

Centennial Beach

Current Conditions

The extent of damage to Centennial has been loss of useable beach due to current lake levels. A small portion of the beach remains, but becomes hazardous during storm events.

Centennial February 2020

2020 Beach Season: Open

Centennial will continue to operate as a dog beach this season. The beach will not be accessible when lake conditions are hazardous. During these times, signs will be posted and the gate will remain locked (even to those with key fobs).

Posted in About Us, Board, General, News

Winnetka Park District Welcomes North Shore Country Day to our A.C. Nielsen Tennis Center Family

Posted August 02, 2018

On June 28, 2018 the Winnetka Park District Board of Commissioners approved a licensing agreement with North Shore Country Day for utilization of the A.C. Nielsen Tennis Center outdoor courts. This nine-year commitment, (3) three year terms, makes the A.C. Nielsen Tennis Center the home courts for North Shore Country Day’s girls and boys tennis teams starting in the fall of 2018.

“We are excited to welcome North Shore Country Day as part of the A.C. Nielsen Tennis Center family”, said Tennis Center Manager, Pat Fragassi. “We look forward to providing a home where these young tennis players can hone their skills and be competitive.”

A.C. Nielsen Tennis Center is currently home to the New Trier High School tennis teams and that relationship will continue. The Tennis Center staff will coordinate with both schools to accommodate their training schedules and home team matches, which will be primarily after school and some weekends during the fall and spring.  This arrangement does not interfere with the A.C. Tennis Center’s lesson program, which utilizes the indoor courts in the fall and spring.

A.C. Nielsen Tennis Center is a facility of the Winnetka Park District. Players can enjoy year round tennis at the A.C. Nielsen Tennis Center as the facility features eight indoor and 12 outdoor courts (five lighted), a nursery, pro shop, shower/locker room facilities and public access Wi-Fi. This full-service facility offers lessons for all ages, leagues, court rentals, membership and events year round. For more information visit, winpark.org/tennis or call (847) 501-2065.

Posted in About Us, General, News, Tennis

New Tower Road Beach House Enhancements

Posted May 07, 2018

The Winnetka Park District is making a few enhancements to the Tower Road Beach House which will have a positive impact for our residents and patrons this upcoming beach season and beyond. The most impactful change will be the reconversion of the restrooms to allow access beyond staffed hours of operation. This will be accomplished through a timed lock entrance to the restrooms, while eliminating access to other areas of the facility. “Our official start of the swim beach season is early June, but we recognize that as the weather improves we have more visitors to the lakefront”, said John Shea, Superintendent of Recreation. “This change allows us to be more accommodating without extending the length of our season and daily hours of supervised operations.”

These enhancements will improve the existing function of the facility including, expanded staff visibility, improved access to the restrooms, and a new water chiller. A majority of the project, including restroom access, is expected to be completed by Memorial Day weekend.

Photo: Rendering of Tower Road Beach House after renovations.

This project is part of the Winnetka Waterfront 2030 Plan – a community vision for the Winnetka Lakefront.

 

 

Posted in About Us, Board, General, Golf, Ice Arena, Lakefront, News, Parks, Parties & Rentals, Platform Tennis, Recreation, Summer Camps, Tennis

Paving/Tree Work: Green Bay Trail, Elder Lane Park & Lloyd Park

Posted April 27, 2018

As part of our ongoing efforts to improve access and use of our community’s park sites, the Winnetka Park District will be conducting paving and/or tree work at Green Bay Trail, Elder Lane Park, and Lloyd Park over the next two weeks. During this time, these sites will have limited access or be closed. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact our superintendent of parks, Costa Kutulas, at (847) 501-2052.

Please note that the listed dates are tentative and subject to change due to weather conditions or unforeseen circumstances.

Green Bay Trail Paving (southern third of the trail)

Work will be ongoing May 2-3. The southern third of the trail will be closed during this period.

Elder Lane Park Paving

Work will be conducted May 4. Elder Lane Park will be closed during this period.

Lloyd Park Tree Work 

Work will be ongoing May 2-3. During this time access to the park will be limited.

Lloyd Park Paving

Work will be ongoing May 4-8. During this the park will be closed.

Posted in About Us, General, News