The Vernon Hills Park District looks forward to continuing to fulfill its vision of conserving nature, supporting wellness, and inspiring leisure for all.

In accordance with the State of Illinois’ Restore Illinois Plan, staff continues to plan for the return of programming and reopening of facilities as detailed in Phase 3-Recovery beginning today. We continue to monitor the progress as we move through these phases, and we are prepared to adjust our plan as we get closer to Phase 4-Revitalization.

Below are the details for specific areas of interest:

Summer Day Camp The Vernon Hills Park District is providing a safe summer day camp experience for the children of our community. We are offering modified versions of our traditional day camps in limited quantities. We are offering 3 summer day camps: Preschool Camp (ages 3-5), Sullivan Camp (grades K-3) Peterson Park Camp (grades 4-7). Elementary camps are 6 weeks with an extended care option. Priority registration will be given to Vernon Hills residents (June 2), followed by non-resident registration one week later. Last Blast Camp is offered in a 2-week session for grades K-7 in August with an extended care option.

All camps will consist of smaller group sizes separated by location with the intent to allow for little to no crossover between camp groups. Each camp will have multiple groups of 10 kids that stay together for the duration of camp.

Lakeview Fitness Outdoor fitness classes with limited capacity and personal training will begin Thursday, June 4. Advanced reservations can be scheduled beginning Monday, June 1 through the Lakeview Fitness App. Memberships will continue to be frozen.

Athletic fields and courts Outdoor tennis courts, pickle ball courts, athletic fields, and the Vernon Hills Athletic Complex are open. The skate park is open weekends with a reservation. Beginning June 9, .the Skate Park is open daily. Basketball courts, futsol court, and sand volleyball courts will open in phase 4.

Outdoor restrooms and picnic pavilions Outdoor restrooms will open for the season the week of June 8. No picnic rentals will be taken for June.

Parks and playgrounds Parks have remained open for walking, jogging, and biking during the stay-at-home order as long as social distancing guidelines are followed. Fishing and non-motorized boating (electric motors permitted) is also allowed in addition to canoes and kayaks. However, playgrounds and park water fountains will remain closed until Phase 4, according to the Restore Illinois Plan.

Summer Programs Staff is targeting Phase 3 for additional youth sports programming such as dance, gymnastics, karate, and youth basketball camps. Details will be forthcoming.

Family Aquatic Center Public pool operations are not included as part of Phase 3 of the Restore Illinois Plan and, as of this date, there has been no direction or guidelines from IDPH or DCEO concerning the safe operation of outdoor public pools this summer.

Sullivan Community Center The Sullivan Community Center will reopen on June 22 when summer camp and youth sports begin. Adult programming will not begin until phase 4.

Fall Program Guide The fall program guide will be mailed to Vernon Hills residents the week of July 20.

Our team is prepared to adjust and make appropriate changes as we get closer to Phase 4-Revitalization. We will continue to keep you as informed as possible. For the latest information, please visit the Vernon Hills Park District website. We appreciate your patience and hope to see you soon!