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, Northbrook Community Center, Northbrook Theatre and 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.
Our Mission
To enhance our community by providing outstanding services, parks and facilities through environmental, social and financial stewardship
Our Vision
To be recognized as a national leader in delivering innovative park and recreation services based on responsiveness, trust and accountability to our community
Our 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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 Michael Goodman, President; Edward Chao, Vice President; and Commissioners Mary Ann Chambers, Beverly Kumar, Hamzah Mirza, Jason Risdon and David S. Silverman.
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.
Affiliations
The Northbrook Park District is a member of the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) opens in new tab, the Illinois Park and Recreation Association (IPRA) opens in new tab, and the Illinois Association of Park Districts (IAPD) opens in new tab.
Our Guiding Principles
Building Strong Relationships and Community
- We recognize the positive impact we have on people’s lives and constantly strive to improve the quality of life for the people we serve.
- We build meaningful and lasting relationships based on strong values, a common purpose and mutual respect.
- We value diversity and actively seek people with different perspectives and experiences.
- We support achieving balance in our professional and personal lives.
Honesty and Integrity
- We maintain the highest ethical standards.
- We communicate honestly and transparently.
Accountability and Respect
- We strive to deliver results that add value to the community we serve.
- We recognize that each of us has a choice in what we do and how we do it.
- We learn from our mistakes and focus on continuous improvement.
Professional Growth and Innovation
- We support efforts that will enhance, educate and develop our employees.
- We encourage creativity and innovation.
Teamwork
- We appreciate that all of us are more effective than any one of us.
- We encourage collaboration and collective problem solving.
- We create an integrated organization free of boundaries.
- We embrace the diversity of our team.
Pursuing Excellence
- We believe our efforts make a difference as stewards of our community.
- We recognize that being good is simply not good enough.