FAQ

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. All Park District forms, for program registration, pool pass purchases, summer camps, birthday parties, and more, are available as PDFs for you to download here. Copies are at The Administrative & Leisure Center, and Prairie Lakes Community Center.

Resident and non-resident registration dates, payment options and program dates are always published in the Spectrum Program & Events Guide, or you can download PDFs of those 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.

ERRORS AND ADJUSTMENTS
Please note: While we make every effort to proofread and publish correct information for park district programs and events, occasionally errors in fees, schedules, and information do appear in our publications (print and digital, including website pages and social media posts), that need to be corrected. We apologize for any inconvenience that these errors and corrections may cause.

Online

• Click here for complete information on how to sign up for Online Registration.
• To use Web Registration you need a Household ID and a PIN Number (Password).
• If you have registered in person for any Park District program, you already have a Household ID number.
• If you can’t find it, call 847-391-5700 (8:30am–5:00pm, Monday–Friday), and we’ll look it up for you.
• If you can’t remember your password, we can have our secure, automated system can e-mail it to you.

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 – 6:00pm
• 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 also accepted at Prairie Lakes Community Center, during regular facility hours.
• 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 your completed 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?

All are welcome! Residents of the City of Des Plaines, regardless of whether or not you live within the boundaries of the park district, pay the resident rate for programs, special events, daily admissions, and memberships.
Please note that residents of the city who live outside of the park district boundaries still register beginning the second week of registration (with non-residents) as a courtesy to the residents whose taxes help support the Des Plaines Park District.
A map of park district boundaries is on our website, and at all facilities. Please call the Administrative & Leisure Center, at 847-391-5700, if you have any questions about your residency status.

Resident Status Program: The Park District offer non-residents a Resident Status option. For an annual fee of $250 (good for 365 days from the date of purchase), non-residents can register for all programs and events at the resident rate.

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. Copies of this form are available at any of our facilities.

1. 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 $3 per class or program is charged for processing all refunds.
2. 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.
3. No refunds for gift certificates will be allowed. Gift certificates may be used toward any Park District facility, program or trip.
4. 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.
5. Refunds take approximately 2 weeks to process, and are mailed in check form or credited to your credit card account.
6.  If you have an outstanding balance, any refund will first be applied to that balance.
7. 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?

Employment Applications are only taken online. To apply for a job with the Park District, Click Here.

Applications may be filed at any time, however, only applications for a Vacancy (a job that is open) are reviewed by the supervisor.

General applications (for non-specific Positions) are kept in the system for one year.

Any online applications which are started, but not completed, are automatically deleted after 25 days.

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

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. You must be at least 16 years old.

Soccer & Basketball Coaches, contact Alessandro Moraca, Athletic Supervisor. 847-391-5711

Special Events, contact Jennifer Boys, Assistant Superintendent of Recreation. 847-391-5700

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 often 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.

 Click to facilities available for rent:

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 and the Lake Park Golf Clubhouse. Rentals are handled on a first-come, first-served basis when the completed application is received. There are time restrictions and a deposit is required. Call 391-5700 between 8:30am and 5:00pm, weekdays. Or, you can call the Facility Rental voice mail at 847-391-5705 and leave your name, phone number, date, group size, and room desired.

Maps and directions are available for every park and facility are available: Click Here.

Banquet Facility

• The River Room, at the Golf Center Des Plaines. Capacity: 100

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. 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. On our Program Registration Form is a check box for the ADA accommodation request. If you want to enroll in a Des Plaines Park District program and believe that an accommodation might be required, you can also call 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 e-mail Paul Guza, Superintendent of Parks & Planning

Can I call to find out if a practice, game, or special event has been cancelled?

Yes. The DPParks app is the best way to get weather related closings and cancellations. Download from the App Store or Google Play. Read more about the app here. You can also call the Program & Events Hotline at 847-391-5705.

Can I walk my dog in the park?

Yes.

Des Plaines Park District Code Section 8.04
(b) Dogs on leash* and under control are permitted in Des Plaines Park District owned parks, including general open space non-athletic areas, pathways and parking lots.

Dogs are prohibited on all playgrounds and athletic/sports fields, and outdoor and indoor facilities including but not limited to:

• Ballfield Infields and Outfields
• Soccer Fields
• Skate/Bike Park
• Tennis Courts and Pickleball Courts
• Volleyball Courts
• Basketball Courts
• Golf Facilities (Courses, Driving Range, Short Game Practice Area)
• Picnic Pavilions in all parks
• Ponds, Lakes, and Swimming Pools

Dog owners/handlers are required to abide by the City of Des Plaines Ordinance Section 6 Chapter 1 as it relates to inoculations, licensing and cleaning up after their dog.
No owner/handler will permit their dog to drink from a Park District water fountain unless the fountain is designed as “dog friendly” and includes a surface mount bowl.
No owner/handler will tie or tether their dog to any post, tree, bench, fence, Park District structure or other stationary object.
At any time the Park District may impose restrictions due to special events, construction, or special circumstance in the interest of public safety.
*Leash not to exceed 6 feet in length.
The Forest Preserve operates a dog friendly area at Beck Lake.

General Rules and Regulations

Rules and regulations for all Park District parks are available at our facilities.

Photo and Video Policy

1) Photographs and videos are periodically taken of participants during programs, special events, trips or at the parks. These photographs and videos may be used in Park District publications, on our website, in our advertising and promotional materials, and in local newspapers. Registration for a program, purchase of a membership, or attendance at an event shall be deemed consent to and consideration for, without further permission and without any other compensation to the participant. In general, we do not identify people in photographs in our publications or on our website. Newspapers often require the names of people in photographs we provide with our press releases and articles.
2) Members of the media who are taking photographs or video at an event on park district property must present credentials to our staff when asked. Requests for access to any of our facilities, indoors or outdoors, for the purposes of taking photographs or video must be approved in writing prior to the program or event. Email requests to News@DPParks.org. Recognized media organizations may publish photos and videos as part of a news story. Photos of participants in park district events may not be sold in any form without written permission from the Executive Director. Email DM@DPParks.org.

COMMERCIAL ACTIVITIES
1) No vendor, peddler, or any other person or company involved in an endeavor for profit shall engage in the commercial sale, rental, exhibition, or distribution of goods or services, including without limitation the giving of instruction or lessons for a fee, on park district property unless they have a signed contract, or have received a permit or license from the district.
2) No person or company with a signed contract, permit or license from the district who is engaged in the sale or distribution of goods or services under this section shall obstruct or impede pedestrians or vehicles, harass park visitors with physical contact or persistent demands, misrepresent the affiliations of those engaged in such activities, misrepresent whether the goods or services are available without cost or donation, or interfere, interrupt, or engage in conduct incompatible with the purpose of any program, activity, function, and/or special event conducted, sponsored, licensed or otherwise permitted by the park district.
3) No person may use any park district property for the purpose of taking photographs or video for sale as physical or digital images, filming an advertisement, television program, or movie or social media-such as but not limited to Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, SnapChat and other apps-without first obtaining a permit from the park district. Approval of any permit is based in part on the impact the proposed use would have on residents and on park district programs, events, and services, and the amount of revenue to be derived from an approved use.

Sponsorships, advertising, and donations

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. We are always happy to discuss mutually beneficial arrangements which include event naming, advertising, public relations, and promotion–at the event, in our facilities, in our publications and on our website.

Sponsorship & Partnership Brochure

Message Board Request Form

Please call 847-391-5700 or email Sponsorships@DPParks.org, for information.

Memorial Trees and Benches

Read about the Park District Memorial Tree & Bench Program.
Please contact Susan Chiakas at 847-391-5744 or SChiakas@DPParks.org for more information.
The VFW and American Legion maintain the Lake Park Memorial Pavilion Buy A Brick program.
Information is available by calling the American Legion, 847-824-3236.