I moved to Highland Park as a child and grew up enjoying this beautiful community and the wonderful programs our Park District has to offer. I participated in “Under the Big Top Camp,” where I can proudly say that my secret talents were being able to walk on stilts and ride a unicycle. When my husband and I were looking for a place to raise our own children, we decided to return to Highland Park, as so many people do who grow up here. It is testament to the fact that Highland Park is more than just a town but a home to so many. While I have not been able to convince my own children to try walking on stilts, some of their favorite programs include Safety Village and the martial arts classes they have taken through the Park District.

I am truly honored to be able to give back to the Park District of Highland Park through the Parks Foundation and I am humbled to be serving as its President. I also want to thank all the members of the Parks Foundation board, auxiliary board, Park District Staff, volunteers, and community members who have helped support the Foundation and have made our work so successful. The Parks Foundation helps ensure that all residents of Highland Park and Highwood have access to the Park District’s programs, events, and facilities. By providing scholarships for sport programs, golf, swimming lessons and summer camps, we want everyone in our community to be welcomed and have the ability to enjoy the resources of the Park District.

This year has been especially difficult for some of our most vulnerable community members. Having a fun activity to go to, a summer camp to attend, a playground to play at, a place to swim, and friends and community to turn to for support is more important than ever. By supporting the Parks Foundation, you will help make this community the best home it can be for all who live here.

Thank you for all of your continued support and generosity.

Jennifer Tier
Parks Foundation of Highland Park, President

Scholarships

We believe everyone in our community should have access to Park District programs regardless of their family’s financial situation. The Foundation provides a variety of scholarship opportunities for Highland Park/Highwood residents of all ages to enjoy athletic and recreational programs.

The Parks Foundation of Highland Park is pleased to announce it has received several grants this year to support these important scholarship programs. Generous grants were awarded by the Highland Park Community Foundation, Endeavor Health, and the AYCO Charitable Foundation totaling $24,000. These grants along with individual donations allowed us to provide $183,000 in recreational scholarships this year to over 100 families in need from Highwood and Highland Park, granting them access to 175 recreation, sports and fitness programs, 77 enriching summer camps, 71 swimming lessons, 11 golf lessons, and 149 memberships to Hidden Creek AquaPark and Park Fitness. These opportunities enhance their lives in ways that would otherwise be out of reach and contribute to their physical, mental, and psychological health.

Applications are now being accepted for 2026. Opportunities include:

SMILE Grant-in-Aid Program

In 1992, the SMILE (Scholarships Mean Involvement in Leisure for Everyone!) Grant-in-Aid Program was created to enable Highland families in need of financial assistance the opportunity to participate in Park District programs. Each year SMILE makes it possible for hundreds of residents to participate in camps, sports, lessons, and fitness programs.

FYI Grant-in-Aid Program

FYI (Foundation Youth Initiative) Grant-in-Aid Program is available to Highwood students currently attending District 112 and District 113 schools in Highland Park. The program can help cover up to 100% of program fees and up to two (2) weeks of summer camp.

Michael Goldman Memorial Golf Scholarship

Highland Park and Highwood students ages 12-18 who have an interest in learning to play golf and demonstrate need are eligible. Each Goldman Scholar will receive golf equipment, approximately eight private lessons, practice time, and the chance to develop a personal relationship with a caring Park District of Highland Park golf pro.

Lois & Edmond Zisook Rosewood Beach Summer Camp Scholarship

The Zisook Scholarship is available annually to help fund High Tide, Low Tide Camp for Highland Park or Highwood families facing financial constraints. 

Club Pickle & Padel

Our newest facility, Club Pickle & Padel, officially opened on September 2. The design of Club Pickle & Padel emphasizes both player comfort and high-quality competition, with advanced LED lighting, climate control, and layouts that make it easy for players of all skill levels and abilities.

A significant portion of this $4.2 million dollar project was funded through the Parks Foundation of Highland Park including a generous donation from Highland Park native, Ron Saslow, as well as, individual and business donations, sponsorships and the Park District capital fund.   

Record Year for Michael Goldman Golf Program

This summer, a record number of eleven students participated in the Michael Goldman Memorial Youth Golf Scholarship program, led by Sunset Valley Golf Club professional Rob Saunders. Made possible through generous donations from the local golf community and the family of longtime Highland Park resident Michael Goldman, the scholarship honors Michael’s passion for the sport and his belief that golf builds resilience, focus, and lifelong well-being.

Participants receive a full set of clubs, ten hours of private lessons, discounted practice time, and free access to the putting green and short game area. Rob reported strong improvement from all students, with some joining the Highland Park High School golf teams, including one who placed third in the JV Conference Tournament. Students who show dedication can reapply each year; four returned this summer, and three have already expressed interest in next year’s program. 

Champions Celebration

Thank you to the 150+ guests who attended the Champions Celebration this past March. Over $37,000 was raised. The evening was filled with dancing to Chicago’s premier party band, 28 Days, along with great food, a 50/50 raffle, and an auction—all for a great cause! The night also featured a surprise appearance by Dan Ponce from WGN-TV.

Thank you to our event sponsors: Highland Park Bank and Trust, Holabird & Root, Steep Ravine, Ablaze, Ancel Glink, Lamar Johnson Collaborative, Stern McQuiston Law and Zeifert Eye Care

North Shore Pickleball Tournament

This past June, we hosted our 5th Annual North Shore Pickleball Tournament! Thirty-two teams participated and raised over $5,000.

Thank you to our event sponsors: First Bank of Highland Park and Delos Therapy.

Dad Bod 3v3 Charity Basketball Tournament

In October, we hosted our 2nd annual Dad Bod 3v3 Charity Basketball Tournament, bringing together 10 teams competed for a great cause and raised $5,500! 

Thank you to our event sponsors: Steep Ravine, Little Tommy’s, Illinois Orthopedic Network and Delos Therapy

Our family moved to Highland Park in 2011 from Chicago. At the time, we didn’t know much about the area, but from the moment we first visited, we fell in love with the community and the Park District. The downtown, the beaches, the parks, and, of course, the recreational opportunities all captured our hearts. Since that first day, we have been fortunate to benefit from the wide variety of programs the district offers. My boys currently participate in football, basketball, and tennis, and I enjoy our tennis, pickleball, golf, and exercise programs.

I feel incredibly fortunate to have been invited to join the Parks Foundation Board, as it has given me the opportunity to give back to these wonderful, caring communities of Highland Park and Highwood. Now, as the new president, I am excited to do even more to continue my life-long commitment to helping others, caring for the natural environment, and ensuring that everyone in our diverse communities—regardless of income—has the opportunity to live happier, healthier lives.

I am immensely proud of the work our Foundation’s volunteers and the dedicated staff of the Park District do every day to ensure that people of all ages—kids, teens, adults, and families—have access to the Park District’s programs, events, and facilities. It’s a goal of the Foundation that their lives are richer, their connections are deeper, and their friendships stronger in part because of our efforts to ensure equity and inclusion are built into the fabric of our communities.

It is an honor to continue the important work of the Foundation, providing scholarships for life-saving swim lessons, sports programs, and summer camps to kids and families facing economic hardship. Through the generosity of our residents and volunteers, we are also able to fund major improvements to the Park District’s infrastructure and the facilities that are enjoyed year-round by all of our neighbors.

As you read through our successes of the past year, I hope you feel as proud as I do of the impact the Foundation has had on our community. I invite you to join us—whether as a volunteer on the board or as a contributor to our fundraising efforts. I know you will experience the same deep sense of pride that I do. You’ll also be rewarded with the satisfaction of knowing that you’re playing a part in changing lives for the better. Please, give where you live—because where we live is truly incredible.

Josie Beck
Parks Foundation of Highland Park, President

Scholarships

We believe everyone in our community should have access to Park District programs regardless of their family’s financial situation. The Foundation provides a variety of scholarship opportunities for Highland Park/Highwood residents of all ages to enjoy athletic and recreational programs.

In 2024, we provided $183,000 in recreational scholarships to over 100 families. Applications are now being accepted for 2025 SMILE (Highland Park residents) and FYI Grant-in-Aid (Highwood residents) Scholarships. Other scholarship opportunities include:

FYI Learn-to-Swim Programs

Provides free swimming lessons for qualifying Highwood families.

Michael Goldman Memorial Golf Scholarship

Provides a series of free private golf lessons and loaner clubs.

Lois & Edmond Zisook Rosewood Beach Summer Camp Scholarship

Provides scholarships for the Rosewood Beach summer camp.

Jeff Fox Field

In August 2024, hundreds of local families gathered for the ceremonial grand opening of the new Jeff Fox Field located at Larry Fink Memorial Park. The new field now serves as a regional destination with reduced maintenance requirements and improved amenities for the players and spectators. The new synthetic turf more than triples the number of usable hours of the field each year and reduces the cost of maintenance by more than 50% every year over its projected 10-year lifespan. Donated funding through the Parks Foundation of Highland Park – Athletics Boosters Fundraising Committee comprised of dedicated baseball families contributed over $500,000 to fill the funding gap and ensure the successful renovation of the state-of-the-art field.

Champions Gala

Thank you to the 200+ guests who attended the Champions Gala this past April. Over $24,000 was raised. The evening was filled with dancing, fun, and an auction. Chicago Bears legend Lance Briggs was our guest speaker with surprise appearances from Channel 2 Sports Ryan Baker and Highland Park’s Olympian Skater Jason Brown. Thank you to our event sponsors: Highland Park Bank and Trust, Autohaus, Illinois Bone & Joint, Wayfarer, Stern McQuiston, Lamar Johnson Collaborative, and Holabird & Root. Stay tuned for details on the 2025 Gala!

North Shore Pickleball Tournament

This past September, we hosted our 4th Annual North Shore Pickleball Tournament! We had 31 teams participating and raised $10,182. Thank you to our event sponsors: 1st Bank of Highland Park, Varsity Pickle, AARP, and Delos Therapy.

Highland Park Community Foundation

A huge thank you to the Highland Park Community Foundation for their $10,000 grant to support the Parks Foundation FYI Scholarship program that provides funding for Highwood families in need to ensure everyone has equal access to recreational programs.