Edmond Zisook was elected a Park Board Commissioner in 1973 and served as the Board President from 1975 to 1979. As important as that is to the history of the Park District of Highland Park, it’s just a small part of the story of this extraordinary man whose life’s work is embedded in the
fabric of the community. Edmond died in March, 2023.

When you talk to people who knew Edmond, you hear many wonderful stories of how he deeply influenced their lives and come to realize that important parts of the Park District of Highland Park owe their beauty—and even their existence—to his unwavering dedication to the community. We hope this story may inspire you to find ways to make the community that Edmond loved an even better place to live, work and play.

A LOVE OF COMMUNITY.

In 1964, Edmond and his wife Lois moved their young family to Highland Park. Ice skating was done outdoors at Sunset Park and school rinks, as there was no indoor ice rink in town. “Some other neighboring communities had indoor rinks,” said his daughters, “and Dad and others felt that the residents of our community should have the best facilities as well.” Since the Park District had land, but not the funds, a citizens committee was formed, with meetings held in the Zisooks’ living room and Edmond as chairman and guiding force. Almost $700,000 was raised through the sale of local revenue bonds to finance construction and Centennial Ice Arena opened to the public in 1973.

ARCHITECT. LANDSCAPE DESIGNER.

Edmond Zisook was a true mid-century American architect, studying under Ludwig Mies van der Rohe at Chicago’s Illinois Institute of Technology in the late 1940s and early 1950s. As a harbinger of his future in parks & recreation, his 1952 Master’s Thesis at IIT was titled A Recreation and Social Center for a Neighborhood Community. After serving as a sergeant in the U.S. Army from
1952–1954, he joined Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, and then opened his own firm in 1955.

PARK BOARD COMMISSIONER.

The Park Board election in 1973 is remembered by some as a bit contentious. Edmond ran for the Board and urged the development of new parks and facilities, particularly in the south end of town which did not have a major park. He also urged equal access for women at Sunset Valley Golf Course, which was a radical notion in 1973.

During his years on the Board, Edmond pushed for development of Deer Creek Park, now Fink Park, and construction of the Deer Creek Indoor Tennis Center, as well as the development of Heller Nature Center. Edmond’s daughters remember him taking constituents’ calls late at night, and going out often to talk with residents and explain the Park District’s position on matters of concern. As always, community service was the driving force. “He was always respectful of the citizens of the Park District. He listened to them, valued them, and worked to provide what they needed and wanted”, they said. Edmond believed that the Park Board and the staff needed to provide the best services and facilities for the residents of the Park District.

A LIFE ON THE WATER.

For Edmond’s entire lifetime, he loved Lake Michigan. He was an excellent swimmer, and began sailing as a teenager. He passed his passion for the lake on to his daughters. “In the summers, Rosewood Beach was our recreation,” said his daughters. Weekends were spent swimming, playing in the sand, and sailing a small boat off the beach.

As years passed, the lake level rose, storms battered the beaches all along the North Shore and Rosewood Beach deteriorated. The high waters eventually claimed the original beach house and pier. All during those years, long after his term as Commissioner, Edmond remained hopeful
for the day when funds would be available and the beach would be rejuvenated for community recreation. His dedication to that idea would bear fruit in 2011 when the Park District, led by then Executive Director Liza McElroy, identified Rosewood Beach as a high priority for Renovation and formed the Rosewood Beach Task Force.

FIGHTING FOR ROSEWOOD BEACH.

The Rosewood Beach project was not without controversy. Some people were quite happy that the little remaining beach was almost always empty, quiet, and private. But private was the opposite of everything Edmond believed about community recreation. And that was especially true when it came to the beach. Only about a dozen cities in Illinois have Lake Michigan beaches and he believed that as a community fortunate to be on the lake the Park District of Highland Park should have an excellent public beach.

Edmond was an active and important member of the Rosewood Task Force, whose first responsibility was to recommend the architectural firm for the project. His expertise was critical in the presentation of the architectural renderings to local residents and concerned citizens who lived north and south of the beach. “Dad could explain how everything that was to be constructed would be in harmony with nature and in proper proportion,” said his daughters. “Edmond was so well-liked and
respected by everyone,” said McElroy, “He was always a calming influence on the Task Force.” Celebration of the beautiful lakefront was the primary objective, and it was achieved.

The Rosewood Beach renovation was completed in 2015, with a grand opening on June 6. “It was exactly what Dad dreamed it would be and a huge source of pride for him,” said his daughters. For a life dedicated to making sure that the Park District had the best recreational facilities, programs,
parks, and open space for the entire community, this was a dream come true. Edmond loved visiting Rosewood and seeing people swimming, children playing on the beach, paddle boarders, and families picnicking and enjoying the boardwalk and Interpretive Center.

When you visit Rosewood Beach, be sure to find the compass located outside the Interpretive Center. It will show you the direction of True North, which isn’t along the shoreline as you might think. It’s a fitting tribute to Edmond’s lifelong love of sailing on the lake, his love of the beach and how he helped guide the Rosewood project to a smooth landing.

A LEGACY OF SERVICE.

Both of Edmond’s daughters grew up with a devotion to the Park District of Highland Park and its programs. In the last 25 years of his life, one of Edmond’s true joys was watching his grandchildren
grow up in Park District programs and facilities: parent & tot classes, swimming, day camps, ice skating, tennis, sports programs and travel leagues, nature programs, dance and art classes and after school classes offered by the Park District. Edmond was an active member of the Recreation Center of Highland Park and always had a critical eye for ways to enhance the members’ experiences.

From its creation in 1992, Edmond and Lois were great supporters of the Park District’s S.M.I.L.E. Scholarship Program and that states, “Everyone in our community should have access to Park District programs regardless of their family’s financial situation.” S.M.I.L.E. is
funded through private donations and makes it possible for hundreds of residents to participate in camps, sports, lessons, and fitness programs.

In 2022, the Zisook family created the Lois & Edmond Zisook Rosewood Beach Summer Scholarship, through the Parks Foundation of Highland Park, to support the Park District summer camps at
their beloved Rosewood Beach. The Zisook Scholarship is available annually to help fund High Tide, Low Tide Camp for School District 112 families facing financial constraints. There are currently three
$1,000 scholarships available.

For details on how to apply for the scholarship please visit the Park District’s Scholarships & Donations page or email scholarships@pdhp.org. To donate to the scholarship in Edmond’s memory, visit the Park District’s Donation Information Page.

All of us at the Park District owe so much to Edmond Zisook and his wife Lois, and their dedication to our community. We are forever grateful to have known him.

The Champion’s Gala was a huge success. We cannot thank those who attended enough for their support.

Here’s a note from our board President, Rafael Labrador:

Thank you. I use those two words often, but they never quite seem to be enough.

As I think back on last week’s Champion’s Gala, I am filled with so much gratitude that it’s hard to properly express it in words. Due to Covid restrictions, this was our first large-scale event since 2020 and we set records in attendance and money raised, and we are more than halfway towards reaching our annual scholarship goal.

With your generosity, we will continue to set more records this year giving out camp, swim lessons, and athletic scholarships to children and families in our community. Whether you donated, attended the Gala, or purchased a live or silent auction item, YOU helped us reach those goals and work toward our mission of helping all people live their best lives. For this, I thank you and I hope to see you at next year’s event.

Rafael Labrador
President
Parks Foundation of Highland Park

Phase 2 of the Breakwater Project is construction of ancillary items that support safe use of the boat ramp including an ADA accessible floating dock, safety bollards and lighting. After close to a year of delays from the State of Illinois the Park District has been awarded a Boat Access Area Development Grant through IDNR for $200,000 toward the project. The delay in receiving the grant has delayed purchase of the ancillary items.

Park Avenue Boating Facility is on schedule to open Memorial Day Weekend. If any ancillary items, such as the bollards, are not delivered and installed by Memorial Day weekend, the Park District will provide temporary measures to ensure safety for boat launching.

About the Project

High lake levels accompanied by intense storms over the past few years caused damage to the breakwater wall/barge and concrete ramp at Park Avenue Boating Beach. These extreme weather conditions have affected communities all along the Illinois Lake Michigan shoreline.

At the April 27 meeting, the Park Board approved construction of Phase 1 of the Park Avenue Breakwater Project in the amount of $2,221,890. The base scope of this project includes removal of the existing barge breakwater and boat ramp, stockpiling and salvaging existing breakwater fill and armor stone, construction of a new steel sheet pile breakwater with a concrete crown wall and construction of a new concrete boat launch. Funding for the project includes $2,000,000 from the Park District’s capital fund and $400,000 from the Parks Foundation of Highland Park, made possible from community donations

For more information on this project and to stay up-to-date on progress visit the Park Avenue Boating Facility Breakwater & Boat Launch Project Page.

Join the Parks Foundation of Highland Park for its fifth annual “Champions Gala and Charity Auction” featuring guest speaker Chris Chelios, former Chicago Blackhawks player and Hockey Hall of Famer.

Champions Gala & Charity Auction
Wed, March 15, 2023 | 6:30pm
Studio One | 1799 Green Bay Rd.

Every year, hundreds of Highland Park and Highwood kids participate in Park District athletics programs to become champions at building their skills and love of the sport as well as learning the value of good sportsmanship. The Champions Gala celebrates the dedicated coaches who deliver these great experiences for our community’s youth with a memorable evening and raises funds for the Parks Foundation scholarship programs so less fortunate kids can have the same great sports experiences.

Enjoy a glamorous evening of signature cocktails from our open bar, phenomenal hors d’oeuvres, exciting game of chance to win up to $100,000, and of course our featured guest; Blackhawk’s legend Chris Chelios. The night’s live auction will feature fabulous trips, dining experiences, one-of-a-kind items, and memorabilia. 

Chris Chelios is a former professional ice hockey defenseman and one of the longest-tenured players in the National Hockey League (NHL). He is a three-time Stanley Cup champion, was inducted in the Hockey Hall of fame in 2013, and in 2017 was named one of the ‘100 Greatest NHL Players’ in history.      

During his professional career, Chelios played for the Montreal Canadiens, Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings, and the Atlanta Thrashers. He holds several NHL records including:

• Was the oldest active player in the NHL and the second oldest of all time when he was called up to play for the Thrashers during the 2009–10 NHL season.
• Held the record for most games played by an active player in the NHL, was the last player from the 1981 NHL Entry Draft still active (or any draft from 1986 and earlier). On May 1, 2009, he appeared in the playoffs for an NHL record 24th time.
• Had the most career penalty minutes of any active player.

“Chris Chelios not only epitomizes everything a champion is but, he also is one of the most recognizable figures in hockey history,” said Chris Maliszewski, Assistant Director of Recreation with the Park District of Highland Park. “We are very fortunate to have Chris as this year’s guest of honor at the 2023 Champions Gala, and I look forward to our guests having the opportunity to interact with him and hear his message for our community.”

The Parks Foundation grant-in-aid scholarship programs have enabled hundreds of families in need of financial assistance access to all recreation programs, including summer camps, swimming lessons, sports, and fitness programs. With support from residents and local businesses through donations and a variety of community events, approximately $100,000 in grants are awarded each year to Park District of Highland Park families through this worthwhile program.

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!

Presenting Sponsors

Supporting Sponsors

Gifting Sponsor

Demolition of the barge breakwater has been completed. Crews have begun installing sheet pile.

About the Project

High lake levels accompanied by intense storms over the past few years caused damage to the breakwater wall/barge and concrete ramp at Park Avenue Boating Beach. These extreme weather conditions have affected communities all along the Illinois Lake Michigan shoreline.

At the April 27 meeting, the Park Board approved construction of Phase 1 of the Park Avenue Breakwater Project in the amount of $2,221,890. The base scope of this project includes removal of the existing barge breakwater and boat ramp, stockpiling and salvaging existing breakwater fill and armor stone, construction of a new steel sheet pile breakwater with a concrete crown wall and construction of a new concrete boat launch. Funding for the project includes $2,000,000 from the Park District’s capital fund and $400,000 from the Parks Foundation of Highland Park, made possible from community donations

For more information on this project and to stay up-to-date on progress visit the Park Avenue Boating Facility Breakwater & Boat Launch Project Page.

The Parks Foundation of Highland Park has received a grant from the Highland Park Community Foundation. These funds will support the Park Foundation’s “Foundation For Youth” (FYI) Scholarship Program. FYI offers Highwood residents of lesser financial means the opportunity to participate in recreational programs, including swimming lessons and summer camps.

Though the Highwood families attend the same schools as Highland Park residents, Highwood is not within the tax-body bounds of the Park District of Highland Park, and residents cannot take advantage of the Park District’s resident scholarship program.  Highwood also does not have a park district, and the City of Highwood offers limited recreational programs for residents. 

The Park’s Foundation FYI Scholarship Program was introduced in 2019 and currently funds approximately 100 learn-to-swim lessons for low-income Highwood children. FYI summer camp scholarships were also made available to Highwood residents with financial constraints during the COVID-19 pandemic. For families facing increased financial hardship due to the pandemic, recreational activities are often the first expenses cut out of a household budget. At the same time, outlets for exercise and enrichment are more critical than ever in promoting physical, social, and emotional health. Further, the need for greater equity and inclusiveness motivates a primary organizational goal of the Parks Foundation to boost funding so that more Highwood residents may enjoy access to Park District programs. The FYI Scholarship program reaches low-income preschool and school-aged children, predominantly Latino Highwood residents.

“The Parks Foundation is grateful for the Highland Park Community Foundation’s generous support for our FYI Scholarship program. Highwood is an important part of our community – our children go to school together,” says Rafael Labrador, the Parks Foundation Board of Directors president. “FYI helps level the playing field for Highwood families.”

About the Parks Foundation of Highland Park: The Parks Foundation of Highland Park is an independent, community-led, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 2016 to support access to the world-class Park District programs and facilities that enhance community life in Highland Park. Since its inception, the Foundation has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars in grants and donations that help keep taxes and program fees in check and bridge the gap between public resources and the funding needed to maintain our vibrant park system. We are committed to providing the resources for everyone in our community to participate in a wide variety of Park District offerings. Scholarship funds raised by the Foundation have allowed Highland Park/Highwood residents of all ages to enjoy athletic and recreational programs and summer camps. In cooperation with government entities, private enterprises, nonprofit partner organizations, and local families, we enrich current and future generations by supporting the open space and recreational programs that bring our community together. For more information and to donate, visit pfhpil.org.

About Highland Park Community Foundation: The Highland Park Community Foundation was established in 1992 at the request of the City of Highland Park to build and maintain a permanent endowment fund. As the philanthropic heart of the community, the HPCF improves and enriches people’s lives with annual grants to nonprofits that provide educational, human service, and cultural programs for Highland Park and Highwood residents. The Foundation’s avowed purposes are to expand opportunities and address the unmet needs of the community – needs that are not met by governmental or other sources.

The Highland Park Community Foundation annually awards grants though a competitive application and review process. For more information, visit hpcfil.org.

Work continues to remove the existing barge breakwater in preparation for the installation of the new breakwater and boat ramp.

About the Project

At the April 27 meeting, the Park Board approved construction of Phase 1 of the Park Avenue Breakwater Project in the amount of $2,221,890.  The base scope of this project includes removal of the existing barge breakwater and boat ramp, stockpiling and salvaging existing breakwater fill and armor stone, construction of a new steel sheet pile breakwater with a concrete crown wall and construction of a new concrete boat launch.   Funding for the project includes $2,000,000 from the Park District’s capital fund and $400,000 from the Parks Foundation of Highland Park, made possible from community donations. Construction began as scheduled on Sept 6, 2022. Learn more.

The Park District of Highland Park begins construction at Park Avenue Boating Facility to replace the Breakwater and Boat Ramp as planned on September 6, 2022. Construction hours will be 7 am to 4 pm Monday – Friday. The anticipated reopening of the new Park Avenue Breakwater and Boat Ramp is Spring 2023.

During the project, the concrete and sand ramps will not be available. Communication has been sent out to our boating community, providing launching options through the remainder of the season. Boat launching is not allowed on the North Beach at Park Ave.

Pedestrian access is permitted from the sidewalk on the west side of the Water Plant during construction. Vehicles will not have access to the Park Avenue Boating Facility south parking lot on weekdays beginning September 6, 2022. Non-boater vehicle access and parking will only be available at the North Beach parking lot.

Learn more about this project.

Highland Park is a swimming community.

There are many opportunities for supervised swimming between the Aquatic Center at the Highland Park Rec Center, Hidden Creek Aqua Park, and Rosewood Beach. But not everyone has the financial means to afford swimming lessons for their children. To bridge that gap, the Parks Foundation of Highland Park launched its Foundation for Youth Scholarship Fund (FYI) Learn-to-Swim, which funds free beginning swim lessons for Highwood families in need.

Introduced in 2019, Learn-to-Swim was the first program of the FYI Scholarship Fund established specifically for Highwood residents. Because Highwood is not within the Park District taxing boundaries, residents cannot apply for the established SMILE scholarship program that assists Park District residents in financial need.

“Highwood is an important part of our community – our children go to school together — FYI was created to assist Highwood residents with financial need,” says Rafael Labrador, the Parks Foundation Board of Directors president. “We wanted to level the playing field,” Says Board of Directors member Katie Irey, who moved to Highland Park in 2018, “I had the benefit of growing up learning to swim through park district swimming classes. We live so close to the lake every child in our community must learn to swim. Creating access to swim lessons for more families and more children in our neighborhood is very meaningful to me.”

The FYI Learn-to-Swim program is offered at the Aquatic Center. It is open to children ages 5-12. “We open it up to our paddlers and little swimmers,” says Aquatic Center Manager Kari Acevedo. “The age-appropriate classes teach the basics, including getting used to the water, raising the child’s comfort level, arm placement, and breathing techniques.”

Swimming is an essential life skill, Labrador states. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), more children ages 1-14 drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional injury death after motor vehicle crashes.

Demographics are also a factor. Highwood has a lower per capita income, a higher poverty rate, and a more significant number of Hispanic families, all of which are associated with lower access to swimming lessons. According to a 2017 study by the U.S.A. Swimming Foundation, 60 percent of Hispanic children don’t learn how to swim. “Drownings in the United States disproportionately affect minority populations and others who might not have access to swimming lessons,” Labrador says. “It is important to help children gain confidence to navigate in the water safely.”

Acevedo oversees the FYI Learn-to-Swim Program. The Foundation Board finds eligible families through coordination with the school district and the Family Service of Lake County’s Nuestro Center, which provides various social services to Highwood’s Latino population.

“This is so important,” Acevedo says. “Everybody should have an opportunity to learn this life-saving skill. Many parents thank us, tell us their child loves the program, and ask about opportunities to join in future classes. There are between 8-18 spots for FYI Learn-to-Swim scholarships per session. To date we have provided 65 FYI Learn-to-Swim lessons.”

Money for FYI comes not from property taxes but community donations, along with state and local grants. Labrador considers programs such as FYI an imperative. “It comes down to how you define community,” he says. “To me, it’s pretty clear that if our kids go to school together, they should have the same opportunities to learn important life skills like swimming, and it shouldn’t be based on how much their parents earn.”

It was such programs as FYI and SMILE that inspired Irey to join the Parks Foundation Board when she moved here. “I wanted to become more involved with the community,” she says. “I liked the Foundation’s mission of supporting the people of the community and the parks; I have two little kids, so we utilize the parks all the time.”

Labrador echoes these sentiments. The Parks Foundation’s volunteer and donation-driven efforts are “an example of your neighbors stepping up to help each other. It’s about people in the community identifying a need and moving forward to fill it, and you can help.”

“I want to make sure we continue to invest in the great amenities our community offers to residents,” he continues, “and the Park District is the crown jewel of that. There should be equity in access.”

The Parks Foundation of Highland is a 501c3 resident-driven organization aligned with the Park District of Highland Park mission. In addition to raising money for scholarship programs, the Foundation also raises funds for Park District capital projects, such as the new Sunset Park playground seating plaza.

A $100 donation sends one student to FYI Learn-to-Swim Lessons. To donate, volunteer, and learn more about the Parks Foundation of Highland Park:

 VISIT PFHPIL.ORG  CALL 847.579.3136

The Parks Foundation of Highland Park is seeking applicants for golf lesson scholarships aimed at helping local youth learn and grow through the game of golf. The 2022 Michael Goldman Memorial Golf Scholarship is available to Highland Park and Highwood middle and high school students who are facing economic, social, or emotional challenges. The opportunity includes one-on-one golf instruction by the Park District of Highland Park professional staff as well as loaner clubs and use of Sunset Valley Golf Club’s world-class practice facilities.

This third annual scholarship is available thanks to a generous $10,000 donation from the family of longtime Highland Park resident Michael Goldman, whose devotion to the sport throughout a time of illness demonstrated that golf is more than a game – but rather, a means to overcome obstacles and foster physical and emotional well-being. His family’s goal is to help young people develop the focus and discipline that golf inspires while enjoying a healthy, outdoor activity that offers lifelong benefits.  Over the past two years, 12 students have participated in the program.  

“Golf teaches each of us about ourselves. How we deal with the many aspects of the game gets us ready for what happens in our daily life,” said Rob Saunders, PGA professional and Park District of Highland Park Golf Program Manager. “We encourage kids who need some help to apply for this program and look forward to making these lessons a really enjoyable experience.”

Highland Park and Highwood students ages 12-18 who have an interest in learning to play golf and demonstrate need are eligible. Applications are currently available and will be accepted through April. Each participant will receive approximately eight private lessons plus practice time and the chance to develop a personal relationship with a caring golf pro and member of the Park District of Highland Park staff.

For more information, please contact Rob Saunders at rsaunders@pdhp.org or 847-579-4162.

The Parks Foundation of Highland Park is dedicated to the belief that every resident deserves the opportunity for an enriched healthy life. The Foundation supports and enhances the Park District of Highland Park’s exceptional facilities and provides resources to ensure that all community members are able to participate in Park District programs. The Parks Foundation of Highland Park is an independent, community-led, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. For more information, visit https://pfhpil.org