The Zion Park District is excited to announce a new playground will be coming to Jordan Park!  Unfortunately, shipping and logistical challenges have delayed the project.  We are in constant communication with the vendor and are confident this new playground will be installed soon and worth the wait.  The Park District appreciates your patience and support.

Unfortunately, the Independence Day Celebration scheduled for Thursday, June 29th is postponed due to scattered thunderstorms in the forecast throughout the day. The potential weather conditions are not conducive to the extensive set up and time requirements for the band and other vendors. Although it was a difficult decision, we are happy to announce that the event has been rescheduled for Sunday, Aug 6th. This decision was made out of an abundance of caution and in the best interest of our citizens, visitors, entertainers, and vendors.

This is to give notice that Lake County Community Development has conducted an evaluation as required by Executive Order 11988 and/or 11990, in accordance with HUD regulations at 24 CFR 55.20 Subpart C Procedures for Making Determinations on Floodplain Management and Protection of Wetlands, to determine the potential affect that its activity in the floodplain and wetland will have on the human environment for Edina Park Bike Trail 2023 under HUD Grant Number B-23-UC-17-003 and local grant number 2359.

The proposed project is in the City of Zion in Lake County, Illinois between 17th Street to the North and 33rd Street to the South, East of Edina Boulevard and West of the Metra Union Pacific North railroad. The project is in A Zone floodplain and wetland. Approximately 2350 feet of the project area is not located in the floodplain or wetland.

The proposed project consists of the rehabilitation and resurfacing of approximately 1.5 miles of the existing asphalt trail and replacement with granular stone surface materials in the City of Zion, Lake County, Illinois. The project will also include widening the existing trail from 6 feet to 8 feet, updating roadway crossing crosswalks, brining the crosswalk connections into compliance with ADA, concrete curb ramps, providing trail entry and crossing signage and improving drainage with culvert and riprap replacements at drainage crossing. A bike repair and stopping area will be added to one of the main trail crossings and entries. This action is necessary as the trail has been in place since 1973 and is in poor condition. The project has three layers of funding to include Zion Park District funding, Illinois Department of Natural Resources and Lake County Community Development grants.

Zion Park District and Lake County Community Development have considered the following alternatives and mitigation measures to be taken to minimize adverse impacts and to restore and preserve natural and beneficial values. The first alternative was to do no action. This alternative was not feasible as the bike trail has been in place since 1973 and is need of repair to maintain the public safety. The second alternative is to relocate the bike trail however, considering the longevity of the trail and constructing of a trail over rehabilitation and resurfacing would be cost prohibitive.

There are three primary purposes for this notice. First, people who may be affected by
activities in floodplains and wetlands and those who have an interest in the protection of the natural environment should be given an opportunity to express their concerns and provide information about these areas. Second, an adequate public notice program can be an
important public educational tool. The dissemination of information about floodplains and wetlands can facilitate and enhance Federal efforts to reduce the risks associated with the occupancy and modification of these special areas. Third, as a matter of fairness, when the Federal government determines it will participate in actions taking place in floodplains and wetlands, it must inform those who may be put at greater or continued risk.

Written comments must be received by Lake County Community Development at the following address on or before June 23, 2023, Lake County Community Development 500 W. Winchester Road, Unit 101, Libertyville, IL 60048, 847-377-2150,
Attention: Brenda O’Connell, Community Development Administrator, during the hours of 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Comments may also be submitted via email at communitydevelopment@lakecountyil.gov. All comments will be reviewed and taken into consideration prior to the decision on the proposed project.

As a result of much thought and planning, this year’s Independence Day Celebration will be held on Thursday, June 29th due to a variety of reasons. First and foremost, the Zion Park District is committed to operating with fiscal responsibility while offering the community significant value. Since Covid, the availability and cost of a quality fireworks show has doubled in recent years. Additionally, weekend shows and July 4th shows cost 50% more than a weekday. Band availability and cost for a weekend or July 4th concert, also can increase by 50% or more; especially when booking a popular band such as Bella Cain.

The Park District manages and maintains over 750 acres of parklands and open spaces, while being very mindful of its tax levy and comprising less than 6.00% of a resident’s total property tax bill. Maintaining core services, parks, facilities and programs all are considered while also trying to deliver high-quality special events. We understand no date can be attended by all and circumstances will change year-to-year. However, we hope you enjoy this year’s celebration and appreciate your support of the Zion Park District.

BREAKING NEWS! We are excited to share that the Zion Park District has been named as a recipient of an Open Space Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) Grant in the amount of $600,000 to be used for improvements at David Park. “Governor JB Pritzker along with state and local leaders and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced nearly $60 million in state grants are being awarded for 118 local park projects throughout Illinois to help communities acquire land and develop recreational opportunities.”

The David Park master plan includes an inclusive playground, a new skate park, new basketball courts and soccer fields, plus a full walking loop. We expect this project to begin in the spring of 2024. A timeline for the project will be released when available. The $600,000 grant received is the maximum amount awarded by OSLAD and requires the Park District to match the grant amount received.

The Zion Park District is proud to have secured OSLAD funding the past two years, bringing in one million dollars of state funding to the Zion community.  By consistently seeking external revenue sources, the Zion Park District continues to be a responsible steward of taxpayer funds to manage and maintain parks, facilities, and open spaces for the enjoyment of Zion residents.

The Governor’s full press release is available at https://www.illinois.gov/news/press-release.26122.html

The Illinois Department of Agriculture and the Zion Park District have found infestations of Gypsy Moths throughout Shiloh Park. The Gypsy Moth is an insect that in caterpillar stage can do tremendous damage to oak trees by feeding on their leaves. If uncontrolled, they can destroy all the oaks in the park. It has been determined that an aerial spray by helicopter will help control the Gypsy Moth. Spraying will take place between April 25, 2023 and July 1, 2023 depending on weather conditions.

Sept 26, 2022

Upcoming Election Information – Commissioner Petition Packets Available

Commissioner petition packets are available for distribution to the public for the April 4, 2023 Consolidated Election. Petition packets are available for pick up at the Zion Park District Leisure Center Office, 2400 Dowie Memorial Drive, Zion, Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Following are the offices for which petitions are available:
Zion Park District Leisure Center Office: Petitions are available for the position of two Zion Park District Commissioners, six year term, 2023-2029.

The first day to circulate petitions is Tuesday, September 20, 2022.

The first day to file the nomination papers with the local election official is Monday, December 12 and the last day to file is Monday, December 19th. Filing ends at 4 p.m. on December 19th.

The Park District Leisure Center Office will be open for petition filing between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., December 12, 13, 14, 15, 16. The Leisure Center office will be open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, December 17 and closed on Sunday, December 18. Filing on Monday, December 19 is between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Per Illinois State Statutes, in the event two or more petitions of candidacy are simultaneously filed for the same office, the order of filing will be determined by means of a lottery approved by the State Board of Elections. If necessary, a public lottery is to be held within nine days after the last day of petition-filing period, and is open to the public. In the event that multiple candidates file for the position of Zion Park District Commissioner at 8 a.m. on the first day of filing, December 12, a Simultaneous Petition Filing Public Lottery will be held on Wednesday, December 28, at 10 a.m. in the Executive Director’s office at the Zion Park District Leisure Center, 2400 Dowie Memorial Drive, Zion.

Eric Bradley, Local Election Official, Zion Park District