Get Involved
The Parks Foundation of Highland Park is dedicated to the belief that every resident of our community deserves the opportunity for an enriched, healthy lifestyle. We raise funds to support and enhance exceptional Park District projects and provide scholarship funding to ensure that all community members are able to participate in Park District programs. Your support allows us to provide the resources necessary for everyone in and around Highland Park to access our world-class Park District facilities. The Parks Foundation is an independent, community-led, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Make a difference in your own backyard by giving to our scholarship funds or capital campaigns. We’ll help you select a giving program to match your personal interests.
- Learn more about Sponsorships, Advertising, and Commemorative donations
- Contact us about supporting improvements at The Preserve
Make a Donation
Park Avenue Breakwater / Boat Ramp
The Park Avenue breakwater and boat ramp are unique regional assets. With the project complete, all Highland Park residents can safely enjoy everything their lakefront has to offer. The project will allow continued safety for boaters, since the ramp is a launch for emergency boat rescue services. Without this site, nearby boaters in need of rescue will have to wait as much an hour as rescuers launch from a site further away.
HP Giants Athletics Booster
Enhance the experience for players and spectators by investing in the growth and development of park district athletic facilities to better serve our community and attract new families to the area. Your donation will help achieve the following goals:
• Improve Park District fields and diamonds
• Raise the profile of the Park District athletic programs
• Bring our facilities up to or better than neighboring facilities
Scholarships Mean Involvement in Leisure for Everyone (SMILE) Grant-in-Aid
The SMILE Grant-in-Aid Program gives families in need of financial assistance the opportunity to participate in Park District of Highland Park programs. The Parks Foundation raises SMILE funds to ensure that all residents can enjoy the healthy enrichment activities that Park District programming offers. We “Give a SMILE” for all to play!
Foundation Youth Initiative (FYI)
FYI was established to expand our reach to Highwood children who rely on the Park District of Highland Park for enrichment activities. Each year, dozens of low-income children learn critical water safety and introductory swimming skills through our Learn-to-Swim lessons. FYI also funds summer camp scholarships for local youngsters in need. The Foundation partners with the Nuestro Center and the Highland Park Community Foundation in funding and administering FYI.
Commemorative Bench or Tree
Are you looking for a meaningful way to commemorate a special event or memorialize a loved one? Your donation of a tree or bench is a unique way to celebrate special occasions such as birthdays, anniversaries, or remembrances and improves our community’s parks and facilities. Proceeds from your donation benefit the Parks Foundation of Highland Park.
Sunset Woods Playground Seating Plaza Bricks
Honor your family or organization with recognition on the playground seating plaza between the new Rocket Ship and Nature-Themed playgrounds. A message is engraved with the wording of your choice. Maximum of three lines with up to 13 characters per line, including spaces and punctuation. All letters are capitalized.
JOIN US
Jump in the Lake
At national award-winning
Rosewood Beach
Take a Hike
In the 97-acre Heller Nature
Preserve woodlands
Fly a Kite
At Sunset Woods or our 43
other district parks
Become a Friend of the Parks today
