Established
On June 29, 1927, the Northbrook Park District was formed with Commissioners Clarence Bartelme, Wallace Clore, J.W. Cooksey, E.D. Landwehr and Herman Meier, President. The first order of business was to appropriate a budget of $1,800 for fiscal year 1927.
Governed
A seven-member, elected Board of Commissioners establishes Park District policy, strategic direction and governing ordinances. Commissioners are elected to serve staggered, four-year terms. The current Board consists of Lisa Chalem, President; Michael Goodman, Vice President; and Commissioners Mary Ann Chambers, Edward Chao, Beverly Kumar, Michael Schyman and David S. Silverman.
Boundaries
The Park District is located in northern Cook County, 26 miles north of downtown Chicago, Illinois. The District lies in Northfield and Wheeling Townships and is bordered by Deerfield and Highland Park on the north, Glenview on the south, Glencoe and Northfield on the east, and Wheeling on the west. In addition, hundreds of acres of Cook County Forest Preserves surround the District. The Park District serves all of Northbrook, as well as small portions of Deerfield and unincorporated Cook County.
Population
According to the 2020 Census, the population of Northbrook is approximately 34,058.
Demographics
The District serves a highly educated, professional community of homeowners with an estimated median household income of $134,516 and a median age of about 50.9 years (2020 Census).
Park District programs and facilities provide important services to all residents of the community. Program offerings are regularly evaluated based on demographics and community feedback. In addition to our own programs, the District works with several affiliates to offer recreational opportunities including baseball, softball, hockey, soccer, cycling, synchronized skating and speed skating.
To assist families with demonstrated financial need, the Park District offers scholarships for some camps and programs, working with Youth Services of Glenview/Northbrook to determine need. The District also offers extended payment plans for program participation.
Real Estate
The 2022 Equalized Assessed Value (EAV) of real estate was $3,204,280,347.
Tax Rate
The 2022 tax rate was $.415 per $100 of assessed value (5.6% of average real estate tax bill).
Fiscal Year Budget
The fiscal year begins on January 1 and concludes on December 31. The total budget for 2024 is $31.6 million, with an operating budget of $21.8 million, a capital improvement and repair budget of $7.4 million, and a debt service budget of $2.5 million.
Debt Rating
In February 2022 Moody’s Investors Service reviewed and assigned a rating of Aaa to the District’s General Obligation Limited Tax Park Bonds, Series 2022.
Park Resources
The Northbrook Park District services a population of approximately 34,058 residents in a service area of approximately 13 square miles. The District operates and maintains 543 acres of property, 32 of which are maintained through intergovernmental agreements. The District holds title to 29 parcels including community parks, neighborhood parks, play lots and passive parks. Unique and premier facilities include the Ed Rudolph Velodrome (banked bicycle racing track), Heritage Oaks Golf Club, Techny Prairie Activity Center, Leisure Center, Senior Center, Northbrook Theatre and the Northbrook Sports Center which contains two full-size indoor ice rinks. Recreational facilities include two outdoor swimming facilities, 36 holes of golf, practice range, two sled hills, dozens of baseball/softball and soccer fields, multiple courts and playgrounds, numerous picnic areas and trails and two fishing lakes.
Programs/Services
The Park District provides a full range of indoor and outdoor activities. Major programs include golf, before school and after school programming, summer camps, ice skating, fitness, performing arts, athletics, preschool and aquatics. Annual special events include Kids’ Fishing Derby, Northbrook-On-Ice, Tuesdays in the Park (free outdoor concerts), Kids’ Duathlon, Liberty Loop 5K, Party on the Green, Northbrook Brewfest, Grapes on the Green, Touch-A-Truck and Northbrook Autumnfest. The Park District is affiliated with the Northern Suburban Special Recreation Association (NSSRA) to provide recreational activities and services for residents with special needs.
Staff
The Park District has an appointed Executive Director responsible to the Board of Commissioners for the administration of the District. The 2024 budget includes funding for 80 full-time positions. Throughout the year the District also employs roughly 550 part-time, seasonal and temporary employees and hundreds of volunteers in four budgetary areas: Administrative, Parks and
Properties, Golf Operations and Recreation.
Affiliations
The Northbrook Park District is a member of the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), the Illinois Park and Recreation Association (IPRA), and the Illinois Association of Park Districts (IAPD).