STATE OF THE PARK DISTRICT - UPDATES RELATED TO COVID-19
MOVING FROM COVID-19 RESPONSE TO RECOVERY, AND RETURNING TO SUMMER FUN!
Wednesday, June 10, 2020
The Arlington Heights Park District continues to closely follow recommendations from the Governor’s office, Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) as it pertains to public parks and recreation activities and facilities. We will offer as many programs and facilities as we can this summer and will communicate updates via our website www.ahpd.org and social media: On Facebook, Twitter, Instagram @AHPARKDISTRICT
Golf Operations: Arlington Lakes Golf Club and Nickol Knoll Golf Club – Courses are open for foursomes at 10 minute intervals with restrictions including: carts for single riders unless in same family. We encourage you to book tee time reservations online and view safety guidelines at Arlington Lakes Golf Club and Nickol Knoll Golf Club.
Sunset Meadows Driving Range
Pool Operations – We are aware of the new guidance we received from the IDPH on June 5 and are analyzing the information to determine what we can potentially open in a safe, efficient and effective manner. The guidance allows pools to open up for select programming including lap swimming. As soon as we have solidified details we will share them with the community through our social media channels and website at
www.ahpd.org and social media: On
Facebook,
Twitter,
Instagram @AHPARKDISTRICT.
Please keep in mind that the District was preparing the pools to open while waiting for further guidance from IDPH. This has allowed us to be fiscally responsible with the uncertainty of the pandemic and the flexibility to respond to updated IDPH guidelines as quick as possible. With these new guidelines, staff is now in the process of filling strategically selected pools, chemically balancing pools, and scheduling staff trainings/certifications. The park district is planning to open Pioneer Park Pool by June 26 and Recreation Park Pool by July 6. Currently, public open swim is not included in phase 3 of the Restore Illinois Plan. The park district will be discussing our other aquatic facilities once phase 4 information becomes available.
Facilities and Historical Museum – All community centers and the Historical Museum are closed.
Tennis Clubs – Reopened on June 2 for private and small group lessons and court reservations. The fitness center at Forest View remains closed. Please visit our website to view safety guidelines. View guidelines: www.ahpd.org/tennis/.
AHPD Programs – Many programs that begin on June 8 will run virtually or in person under phase 3 which allows groups of 10 people and under. Beginning June 15, the district will be offering over 100 new programs in various formats including virtual, take-home projects, and small group in-person programming with 10 or less participants. Keep up to date by following AHPD on social media.
Arlington Heights Senior Center – At the time of this release, Village Hall will be open for services to the public starting Monday, June 1, but the Senior Center remains closed. A date for the Senior Center to reopen has not been set. Keep up to date on reopening status via our website at www.ahpd.org and social media outlets.
Summer Camps – Summer Camps listed in our Spring/Summer Guides which were scheduled to take place in June have been cancelled or rescheduled. Staff is currently finalizing details on modified camp programming which will begin June 15, and will include virtual programs, take-home projects, as well as modified small group camps. These new programs will run during the month of June. Updates on new program offerings will be shared via our website and social media outlets.
Arlington Ridge Center (ARC) – Staff has planned Virtual Programming and offering Outdoor Group Fitness classes starting on June 1. One-on-one personal training will also be starting the week of June 8. Memberships at the ARC are frozen until we return to full operations. Visit the website at www.ahpd.org/arc/ and Follow us: On Facebook @ARLINGTONRIDGECENTER; On Twitter and Instagram @arc_ahpd.
Parks and Lake Arlington – All parks are open to take a walk, jog or run. Playgrounds at all parks remain closed during phase 3. The Lake is currently open for biking, running, walking, fishing and privately owned boats with a lake sticker. The playground and fitness area remains closed at this time and will be re-evaluated when the State moves into phase 4 guidelines of the Restore Illinois Plan. The Park District Board of Commissioners reserves the right to close any park properties at any time, should it become necessary.
Canine Commons Dog Park – Canine Commons will re-open on Saturday, June 13 and will be limited to no more than 10 dog owners per the small dog and large dog enclosures. Please wear a face covering if social distancing cannot be maintained. See dog park guidelines: www.ahpd.org/facilities/canine-commons/.
Basketball Courts – We are in the process of opening basketball courts and they will all be open by June 19 or sooner. As of June 11, the following courts are open: Frontier, Sunset Ridge, Creekside, Camelot, Patriots, Hasbrook, and Raven. We remind you to practice social distancing while enjoying basketball courts.
Outdoor Tennis/Pickleball Courts – Are open with restrictions. Doubles play will now be allowed with no more than four on a court and 10 people in the fenced area that has more than two courts.
Athletic Fields, Park Shelter and Facility Rentals – Currently, we are not accepting any reservations for athletic fields, park shelters, facility meeting room rentals, or aquatic center parties. Once we return to regular business hours, we will begin taking reservations upon entering phase 4 of the Reopen Illinois Plan.
Community Gardens – Our two community gardens are open to those who have secured a plot this season. Garden plots are still available at our Frontier Park and Forest View locations. Please follow the stated guidelines at the entrance to each garden.
We are in this together and everyone needs to do their part by complying with the Governor’s order. On behalf of the Board of Park Commissioners, and Staff, thank you for your patience and understanding. Be well and please stay informed by visiting www.ahpd.org/coronavirus/. We also encourage everyone to follow us on social media: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Guest Services Staff are available Monday through Friday from 8:30am-4:30pm to answer your calls at 847-577-3000 and 847-577-3025.