Spring/Summer Program Guide

Resident Registration: Sat, Mar 9 | 8:30A

Non-Resident Registration: Sat, Mar 16 | 8:30A

Don't miss out on the amazing activities we have planned for this spring and summer! Registration begins Mar 9 at 8:30A for residents and Mar 16 at 8:30A for non-residents.

2023 Annual Report

Interested in learning more about what the Park District accomplished in 2023? Our 2023 Annual Report is accessible in the Spring/Summer program guide and online.

Prescribed Burns

Occurring Mar-Apr

Prescribed burns are an important tool in managing our parks' ecosystems. Native plant areas rely on regular burning to thrive. For this reason, the Park District will be conducting our annual prescribed burns in the coming weeks. We partner with certified National Wildfire Coordinating Group crews and the local fire department to ensure the prescribed burns are completed safely.

The timing of the burn is dependent on weather. A notice will go out to residents surrounding the affected parks prior to the burn.

The following parks will undergo a prescribed burn:

• Austin Gardens
• Barrie Park
• Field Park
• Lindberg Park
• Taylor Park

Now Hiring Lifeguards

Next Swim Test: Mar 13

Time is running out to get a summer job in line! Apply today to be a PDOP lifeguard this summer! After your application is reviewed, you will receive an invitation to our Mar 13 swim test.

All applicants must be 15+ by June 1 and be available to work 30+ hours per week.

What's in it for you? We offer:

• A competitive hourly rate of $15.75
• Paid training and licensing
• Work readiness skills: leadership, teamwork, responsibility, time management, organization
• Career growth: start as a lifeguard, then become a head guard, then aquatic facility coordinator, then pool manager... the sky's the limit!

Ice Show

Tickets Available: Mar 9

Show Dates: Mar 15-17

Get your tickets this Saturday for our annual Ice Show! Watch our Skate Academy participants show off their skills and celebrate their hard work. Tickets can be purchased in Amilia and must be picked up prior to the show at Ridgeland Common. Ticket pick up begins Mar 13, and can be retrieved Monday-Friday, 8:30A-7:00P or Saturday-Sunday, 8:30A-5:00P.

There are four show times. Shows are estimated to run about three hours:

• Friday, Mar 15 | 6:00P
• Saturday, Mar 16 | 1:30P, 6:00P
• Sunday, Mar 17 | 1:30P

Spring Break Camps

Mar 25-29

Have a blast this spring break with the Park District! There's still time to enroll your children in spring break camps.

Skate at Ridgeland Common, build at LEGO camp, learn about cool science concepts, or make art all week! The options are endless, but move fast - spots are limited.

Luck of the Irish

Mar 15 | 7:00-9:00P

Barrie Center

Calling all teens! Join us for a gold hunt and DIY shamrock shakes! Don't forget to wear green.

Ages 11-15

GPS Leprechaun

Mar 17 | 12:00-1:30P

Taylor Park

Join us for a crazy adventure... use GPS to find pots of gold hidden around the park by a sneaky leprechaun!

Ages 4-11 with adult

Shamrock Hunt

Mar 12-17 | 10:00A-4:00P

Oak Park Conservatory

Come to the Conservatory and hunt for shamrocks hidden in the foliage! There's prizes for those who find all seven, plus live shamrocks available for sale. This is a free event, no registration needed.

All ages

Oak Park Festival Theatre: Or, by Liz Duffy Adams

Mar 22-23 | 7:00P

Cheney Mansion

Oak Park Festival Theatre, in partnership with Park District of Oak Park, presents a series of cutting-edge play readings that will take place in historic Pleasant Home and Cheney Mansion. Paired with a selection of wine and beer as well as hors d’oeuvres, these innovative works by some of today’s most exciting playwrights will be performed by your favorite local actors and followed by a community conversation. 

Artistic Director of Oak Park Festival Theatre Peter Anderson will be your host. Each month’s reading will feature a play that promises to be entertaining, thought-provoking, and poignant. We can’t wait to hear what you think! Ages 21+

Staff Spotlight - Pamela Berk

Free NIA Class: Mar 23 | 1:00-2:00P

CRC

In honor of Women's History Month, we are offering a free family fitness class with our NIA instructor, Pamela Berk. Learn more about what Women's History Month means to Pamela below!

"As a female, your presence can make a huge difference to other women, no matter their age. As a woman of any age, I believe it is our responsibility to be the best example of our gender, so that others who might feel insecure can be inspired to realize their full potential. Media and society will at times try to create a stereotypical image of what women and girls should be like. Feel free to explore all possibilities! It's okay to fail, but at least try."

Join Pamela on Saturday, Mar 23 from 1:00-2:00P for a NIA class to celebrate Women's History Month - all genders and ages welcome! NIA blends dance, martial arts, and mindfulness, for an expressive, aerobic class.

Portrait of a Graduate

Open to OPRF Students

Mar 12 | 6:30-8:00P

CRC