Grayslake Park District News & Special Events

Letter From The Director

People: Meet Tracy Putkonen: Tracy has been with the Park District since 2002 as one of the Recreation Supervisors. She handles a wide variety of programs from special events, youth sport classes, fitness and oversees all concession operations. Tracy is very passionate about youth in our community and any services, facilities or programs that can help support their growth and development. She also believes strongly in supporting family activities to enhance their quality of life. Tracy resides in Lake County with her family.

Places:Central Park: The community is fortunate to have Central Park within its inventory of parklands. This 70 acre park offers many features and amenities within the park and adjacent to it. The park itself offers 2 playgrounds, a splash pad, a nine – hole disc golf course , a paved trail, 2 picnic shelters, an amphitheater, numerous ball fields, a memorial and celebration tree garden/walkway and plenty of open space. Adjacent to the park is the village’s outdoor pool, skate-park and garden plots, a public library, a school and a senior living facility. It’s truly a central hub of the community and we hope you can utilize and enjoy the amenities the entire area offers.

Grayslake Golf Course: The community is also fortunate to have an extremely unique golf course adjacent to the Carillon North development on Drury Lane. The course is a fun but challenging 9 hole, par 3 layout that provides the ultimate challenge – 9 chances at a hole in one for every round! It’s a great course for beginners, for persons who need work on their short game and is a great venue for a family outing.

Projects: Numerous capital projects are wrapping up or have been recently completed by the park district. These include:

- The renovation of Cullen Park, a neighborhood park at the corner of Alta and Glen Streets
- The shoreline restoration project at College Trail Pond
- The replacement of the pedestrian bridge at Creekside Park
- The completion of a community needs assessment including a random survey sent to residents
along with focus group meetings. More details on the results will be shared in the next brochure.
- A new website is anticipated to be launched at the end of May. New features will include Google maps to all of our parks and the ability, once funded, to implement on-line registration.

We also hope to hear very soon if the district has been awarded a huge grant to renovate Jones Island Park. Cross your fingers!

Jeff Nehila, Executive Director
Grayslake Park District

Press Releases

Press Release 3rd Annual Gray’s Lake Shoreline Clean Up and Treasure Hunt Sponsor

Rich Gaddis, President of Strang Funeral Chapel in Grayslake, presents a sponsorship check to Park District Executive Director Jeff Nehila to help support the 3rd Annual Lake Clean Up scheduled for June 8, 2013 at Jones Island Beach. “Strang has once again showed their support of the community by helping to cover the costs of the clean-up program, “noted Nehila. “We’re extremely grateful for their outreach and their sponsorship will help us provide the free T-Shirts to all of the participants. It’s been a great event the first 2 years and has turned into a program where people can spend a few hours on a Saturday morning helping clean up areas of the lake's shoreline and receive some fun rewards at the same time”

The event, which has carried the theme of “Discover the Treasure” of Grayslake, includes a treasure chest hunt where chests area stashed throughout the designated clean up areas. The chests are filled with great prizes such as certificates from Sammies restaurant, gift cards from Sports Authority and even some cash from State Bank of the Lakes. There area also gold coins stashed around the clean up areas which participants can redeem for prizes at the conclusion of the event.

The event begins at 9:30am with complimentary breakfast snacks, registration and area assignments and will conclude at 11:00am with volunteers redeeming prizes, followed by a light lunch. Breakfast will be provided by Something’s Brewing and lunch by Papa Johns, Grayslake. Persons interested in participating should call Jeff Nehila at (847) 223-7529 or email him at jnehila@glpd.com to preregister for proper shirts sizes.

Birthday Party Packages

Out of ideas for your child’s next birthday party? Tired of doing all the work and not enjoying any of the fun? Look no further than the Grayslake Park District. We will take the hassle out of planning your child’s next birthday. All packages will be tailored to your child’s specific interests. The birthday party staff will implement your party from start to finish. We will accommodate all ages. Click here for the Birthday Party Package Reservation Order Form