How do I register for Park District programs?
You can: register in person at the Leisure Center and Prairie Lakes Community Center; use our Online Registration system; mail or fax a completed form. Registration forms and information are available at the facilities, or you can download everything you need right here.
Resident and non-resident registration dates, payment options and program dates are always published in the Spectrum, or you can download information pages. Non-resident registration always begins one week after resident registration. Residents who have never registered with the Park District are required to submit proof of residency with their registration. Acceptable proofs of residency include: current voter's registration card, current driver's license, copy of current utility or phone bill or real estate tax statement showing taxes paid to the Des Plaines Park District.
Online
Click here for complete information on how to sign up for online registration.
Walk-in Registration
Where: Leisure Center, 2222 Birch Street
When: Hours: 8:30am - 5:00pm Monday-Friday.
Please bring proof of residency. Your registration will be time-stamped in the order received.
Walk-in registrations will be processed after the 7:00-8:30am drop-off registrations are processed.
Drop-off Registration
Where: Leisure Center, 2222 Birch Street
When: Monday-Friday: 7:00am - 9:30pm; Saturday: 8:30am - 6:00pm; Sunday: 1:00 - 5:00pm
A drop-off slot is located to the right of the receptionist counter. Please, do not drop-off a cash payment.
Drop-off registrations are accepted at Prairie Lakes Community Center, but are not processed until the following business day.
Drop-offs received prior to 7:00 am on the first day of registration, for residents and non-residents, are held until the following business day.
Mail
Mail completed forms with payment to:Des Plaines Park District 2222 Birch Street, Des Plaines, IL 60018
Mail-in registrations received before the first day of registration, for residents and non-residents, are held until the following business day.
Fax
Fax registration form to 847-391-5707 with complete credit card information.
Faxed registrations received before the first day of registration, for residents and non-residents, are held until the following business day.
Who is eligible to register for programs?
Des Plaines Park District residents are individuals who reside within the Park District boundaries and contribute financial support to the district through property taxes. Residents and non-residents are all welcome, and most programs are listed with both resident and non-resident fees. Pease note that some residents of the City of Des Plaines may not reside within the boundaries of the Des Plaines Park District. Please call the Park District at 847-391-5700 if you have any questions about your residency status.
For a map of the Park District boundaries, Click Here.
Can I get my money back if I'm not satisfied with a program?
Yes, In order to receive any refund, you must complete a Refund Request Form. Click Here to download the form. Copies of this form are also available at any of our facilities.
- Satisfaction Guaranteed. Participants will receive a full refund if they are dissatisfied with the program after the 1st class meeting, and we receive a refund request form at least 24 hours before the 2nd class meets. Note: An administrative fee of $2 per class or program is charged for processing all refunds.
- After the first week of a program/class no refunds will be granted unless the program/class is cancelled. Refund requests received after the first week of a program will be honored if the request is due to a medical condition. A doctor’s note must accompany the request.
- No refunds for gift certificates will be allowed. Gift certificates may be used toward any Park District facility, program or trip.
- The refund request for trips must be received 48 hours prior to the day of the trip; refunds will be prorated based on the program costs incurred prior to receipt of the refund request.
- Refunds take approximately 2 weeks to process, and are mailed in check form or credited to your credit card account.
- If you have an outstanding balance, any refund will first be applied to that balance.
- Additional policies apply to memberships, and passes. Details are available at the facilities.
How do I apply for a job with the Des Plaines Park District?
The Park District is looking for volunteers (ages 16 years or older) to assist with programs. Volunteering is a great way to get involved, learn new skills and meet new people. Our volunteers receive special benefits as well as the respect they so richly deserve for serving the community through the Park District. If you are interested in employment please visit the Administrative and Leisure Center at 2222 Birch Street and complete (or drop off) an application. Call 847-391-5700 for further information. Click Here to download an application in PDF format.
Once you have given us your application, we will circulate it so that all appropriate supervisors have an opportunity to review it. If a position is available, you will be contacted by phone or e-mail. Please note: we do not contact applicants if a position is not currently available.
Employment Opportunities
Most part-time positions are available on a seasonal basis, and include:Front desk staff at facilities, building supervisors, class instructors, maintenance staff,lifeguards, pool staff, camp staff, golf course and golf range staff, Lake Park, Mountain View Adventure Center and Mystic Waters concessions.
Volunteer Opportunities
Soccer & Basketball Coaches
Lake Park Golf Course Starters
Special Events
How do I rent a room in a facility or in one of the parks?
Park District rooms and buildings are available for rental use when available. Since Park District programs have first priority and generally use all buildings Monday through Friday, facility spaces are generally more available on Saturdays and Sundays. Unfortunately, rentals are not available on legal holidays. Kitchen facilities are designed for limited food preparation as can be accommodated by a range, oven and refrigerator. Download a rental agreement.
Photos of the rooms at Prairie Lakes, the Arndt Park and Cumberland Terrace Fieldhouses, and the Lake Park Picnic Shelter are available for you to see: Photos
The following facilities are available for rental:
Facilities with a kitchen:
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Arndt Park Fieldhouse* Capacity: 100
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Cumberland Terrace Fieldhouse* Capacity: 35
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Prairie Lakes Mt. View Room 1 Capacity: 35
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Prairie Lakes Mt. View Rooms 2 and 3 can be added for more capacity
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Prairie Lakes Multi-purpose Rooms Capacity: 50 and 30
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Prairie Lakes Multi-purpose Rooms can be combined for more capacity
*Not available June, July, August
Some other rooms may be available at Prairie Lakes and the Leisure Center on weekends. Capacities vary from 30 to 60. Smoking and alcohol consumption are not permitted in any Park District building, with the exception of Golf Center Des Plaines. Rentals are handled as completed applications are received on a first-come basis. There are time restrictions and a deposit is required. Call 391-5700 between 8:30 and 5 pm, weekdays. Other times, call rental voice mail at 847-391-5705 and leave your name, phone number, date, group size, and room desired. Click here for more information.
Maps and directions to the facilities are available: Click Here.
Banquet Facility:
Club Casa provides provides all food and beverages, including alcohol, for meetings, parties and special events in the River Room. Rentals are available throughout the week. Call 847-298-5100 for information and reservations. Click Here for the River Room website.
Does the Park District provide opportunities for individuals with disabilities?
Yes Indeed! The Des Plaines Park District in cooperation with the Maine Niles Association of Special Recreation (M-NASR) will provide reasonable accommodations as required to allow any individual with a disability to actively participate in Des Plaines Park District programs or programs offered by M-NASR. These reasonable accommodations may include; providing communication aids and services, revising policies and practices, removing barriers, selecting available alternate activity sites or taking other appropriate actions.
Although many individuals with disabilities may prefer to participate in programs offered by the Maine Niles Association of Special Recreation (847-966-5522), others may wish to enroll directly into the programs offered by the Des Plaines Park District. If you want to enroll in a Des Plaines Park District program and believe that an accommodation might be required, please call Linda Traina (847-391-5090) to discuss your specific situation.
Who do I call concerning problems in my neighborhood park?
Please call our Oakwood Maintenance facility: 847-391-5744, or contact Paul Cathey, Superintendent of Parks, 847-803-4653.
Can I call to find out if a ballgame or special event has been cancelled?
Yes. Call the Program & Events Hotline at 847-391-5705.
Can I walk my dog in the park?
Dogs, cats or other animals are not allowed in the parks or facilities, with the exception of obedience classes and shows.
The Forest Preserve operates a wonderful dog area at Beck Lake.
Leashed dogs and cats are allowed only in these parks and green spaces:
General rules and regulations.
To download a PDF with general rules for all Park District parks, Click Here.
How do I make a donation to the Park District?
The Park District has the Lake Park Memorial Pavilion Buy A Brick program, as well as opportunities for donations for specific site amenities. Please call the Park District at 847-391-5744 for further information.
Sponsorships
The Park District has a number of opportunities available every year, and on a multi-year basis, for businesses, organizations and individuals to sponsor events and facilities. We are always happy to discuss mutually beneficial arrangements which include event naming, advertising and promotion at the event and in our facilities as well as in the Spectrum and on our website.
Opportunities include:
- Chase 5k Run/Walk
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Dance Recitals
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Fishing Derbies
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Fitness & Health Programs
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Footlighters Theatre Company
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Golf Tournaments
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Live at the Lake Summer Concert Series
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Spectrum Advertising
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Spring Fun Fair
- and a wide range of events throughout the year.
Please contact Linda Traina, Superintendent of Recreation at 847-391-5700 or ltraina@DPParks.org, to review our current sponsorship opportunities.