Vernon Hills Park District

At the Board meeting on 2/27/25, we honored two IAPD/IPRA community service award winners. Larry Appelbaum and Tony Rodkey, thank you for all that you do!

We're hiring! Do you know someone looking for a Full, Part-Time or Seasonal job? Park Districts are a great way to connect with others. We’re #hiring. Know anyone who might be interested? https://lnkd.in/gge-n3cP

Vernon Hills Park District Volunteer Spotlight: John and Beth Keister OUR VOLUNTEERS: The Vernon Hills Park District works to provide services, programs, and quality parks to the residents of Vernon Hills. Despite the best efforts of the agency, it would not be possible to achieve our goals alone. All of our efforts are able to come to fruition because of the hard and dedicated work of our volunteers. Our volunteers help run our special events, coach youth sports, supervise our programs, assist in preschool operations, and so much more. Having residents who come together to help each other is what makes Vernon Hills such a great community! SPOTLIGHT: We would like to spotlight two volunteers whose dedicated efforts to the Park District have made a positive impact on the community: John and Beth Keister! John and Beth Keister have made a positive impact on the community through their dedicated support of the Park District and its programs. They have been residents of Vernon Hills for over 20 years and have been avid volunteers and attendees to our events and programs. We would like to offer a sincere thank you on behalf of the Park District and all its staff to the dedicated efforts of the Keister family! INTERVIEW: What do you like most about volunteering with the Vernon Hills Park District? We enjoy working with the friendly park district staff and helping with events that bring such joy and excitement to the community. We especially like engaging with the children at events as they are always enthusiastic and eager to bring out the fun. What inspired you to begin volunteer work with us? Throughout the 25 years we’ve lived in Vernon Hills, we’ve enjoyed many of the wonderful programs, parks, and other properties of the Vernon Hills Park District (especially the pools!) We are so proud to live in a community that offers all the amenities we have here. VOLUNTEER WITH US: If you know of someone who would be interested in helping out at special events, we’d love to hear from them. Our link to the volunteer page can be found below: https://lnkd.in/g299ZEMw

Vernon Hills Park District Awarded $600,000 OSLAD Grant Governor JB Pritzker along with state and local leaders and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) awarded $55.2 million in state grants for 100 local park projects throughout Illinois. OSLAD (Open Space Land Acquisition and Development) is a grant-sharing program between state and local governments that helps communities fund land acquisition and development for parks and outdoor recreation projects. “The program enables agencies to promote healthier lifestyles and improve the quality of life for their residents while boosting local economies and positively impacting the environment” stated Peter Murphy, President and CEO of the Illinois Association of Park Districts. The Vernon Hills Park District has been awarded a $600,000 OSLAD Grant to support significant enhancements at Grosse Pointe Park. Planned improvements include comprehensive renovations to the ballfields, the addition of a new picnic shelter for large gatherings, a basketball court, and a ninja course. The project will also feature restroom upgrades, parking lot enhancements, retaining wall reconstruction, and walking path improvements with integrated fitness stations. Construction is scheduled to commence in 2025.

Our District has so many Wellness offerings for our patrons. From beautiful parks to an updated Fitness Center and programming for youth to adults, we have it all! Check us out!

We have some of the most beautiful parks in the area. Take time to enjoy them!

Explore employment opportunities in the field of parks, recreation, and conservation! From finance to marketing, programming to facility maintenance - there is something for everyone!

We're #hiring for a Facility Maintenance II position. If you or someone you know is interested in applying, please follow the link below:

Executive Director, Jeff Fougerousse, has announced his retirement from the Vernon Hills Park District, after 15 years of service to the district and over 40 years in the Parks and Recreation field. Jeff has been a dedicated leader and visionary for the Park District, significantly contributing to the community's growth and development. He will retire before the end of this year. Throughout Jeff's tenure, his leadership, vision, and his unwavering commitment to the community have been instrumental in shaping the direction and success the District. His passion for the District’s mission has allowed Vernon Hills Park District to succeed in so many achievements and milestones under his guidance. His leadership has not only fostered growth but has also cultivated a culture of collaboration, innovation, and excellence that will continue to guide us in the years to come. In Jeff’s words, “I have been so very fortunate and blessed to have worked with such amazing individuals over the last 40+ years. I thank every one of you!“ The Park Board of Commissioners is committed to finding a successor who will continue Jeff's legacy of excellence. An executive search will be conducted with assistance from the Illinois Association of Park Districts. Further information regarding this process will be shared soon. For more information or inquiries, please reach out to: David Doerhoefer, Park Board President [email protected] Or Carol Sente, Park Board Vice President [email protected]

We're #hiring for a new Parks Maintenance I position. We'd love to hear from you if you are passionate about taking care of the Parks and Grounds that our District is so proud of. If you're interested in joining us, please apply at the link below: https://lnkd.in/gzF9KMC8