Oak Lawn Park District Information

• The Oak Lawn Park District is committed to providing an atmosphere of hospitality, civility and respect. We dedicate ourselves to the safety and well being of both staff and participants/
  patrons. All participants are expected to exhibit appropriate behavior at all times. The following guidelines have been developed to help make our programs safe and enjoyable for all participants. Additional rules may be developed for specific programs as deemed necessary by staff. You must be respectful to all participants, staff, and volunteers. Participants should follow program rules and take direction from staff.
• If a person is: ignoring directions and/or requests from staff, using vulgarity, making remarks of a personally destructive nature towards any other person (employee, volunteer or patron), restricting or preventing someone of free movement
• If anyone’s actions are: of a physical, spoken or written act of abuse, of a violent nature, considered harassment, considered intimidation, considered extortion
• Immediate disciplinary action may be taken regardless if the act is deliberate, intentional or unintentional. Appeals by the participant/patron should be directed to the Facility Manager. The manager will supply a current chain of command for the appeals process.

• Parents must pick up children under age 10 at the end of the program or as specified by instructors. Children whose parents fail to pick them up by the specified time will be taken to the building’s main office until parents arrive. If a child is not picked up within 15 minutes, the park district will contact the child’s emergency phone number. If the park district cannot reach anyone, the child will be held until closing time or for a maximum time of two hours. Closing time program procedures vary. There will be a late charge after 30 min. of $5 for every 15 minutes to be paid in cash before your child can attend this program again. If no one can be contacted 30 min. after closing time or in two hours, the police will be contacted and your child will be taken into protective custody until a parent or guardian can be notified. Once under police jurisdiction, the park district is not responsible for any legal ramifications. If you are late and the building is closed, and you are unable to reach staff: Contact the people on your emergency form to see if they have your child. Contact the police.
• More than two late pick-ups may result in your child being dropped from a program.

The Oak Lawn Park District reserves the right to use any photos taken of individuals participating at any park district associated activities.

• Families with more than one child enrolled in the same program name with the same class number and session (i.e, Pre-Ballet) will receive a 10% discount for each child after the first child pays the full fee. The discount applies only to members of the same family (residing at the same address). No discount will be given for added participants at a later date.
• Also, no discount will be given on contracted programs, memberships, day camp, or on other programs marked in this book with PDNA (Program Discounts Do Not Apply) or other notification.
• Discount applies to residents only.

Oak Lawn seniors (60 & up) can receive a 25% discount on most programs, with the exception of contracted programs, court rentals, room rentals and facility memberships as designated. Proof of age and residence required. Inquire at the Oak View Center.

Neither senior-citizen or family discounts will be issued for programs contracted through outside services, Racquet & Fitness Club memberships or lessons, special recreation, special events, senior-citizen programs or otherwise designated program.

• The park district reserves the right to cancel programs at any time. You will be notified by phone or mail. Refunds will be issued in full for classes canceled prior to start date. For classes in progress, refunds will be issued on a pro-rated basis based on the number of classes remaining in the session.
• View our Refund Policy
• Download the Refund Form

The district reserves the right to correct any errors or make any adjustments that may have been printed incorrectly or omitted in this book. Fees, times, dates or board-policy changes are among pertinent information that may be adjusted at any time.

• The Menard Center is $100/hour (res) and $125/hour (nr).
• The David Johnston Center is $60/hour (res) and $75/hour (nr).
• A security deposit is due at the time of the reservation and will be returned upon maintenance approval.
• For more information or to check availability call the Community Pavilion at (708) 857-2420. The Oak Lawn Park District also offers a variety of room rentals at each facility. Please contact the corresponding facility for more information.

• There will be a $30 charge for any NSF checks.

• Shelter/gazebo permits are issued to Oak Lawn residents only on a first-come, first-serve basis beginning February 15 of each year. The shelters/gazebos at Centennial, Memorial, Wolfe, and
  Worthbrook parks are available for dedicated use with permit May 1st through Columbus Day.
• Cost is $100 plus a $100 deposit. Deposit will not be returned if the rules stated on the permit and in ordinances are not followed. Permits are necessary for use at approved shelters by all groups of 10 or more.
• Shelters in other parks are open for the public to use at all times.
• Permits are not given for these shelters in other parks, and groups of 10 or more are prohibited from gathering in these shelters.
• Electric is available at Wolfe shelter only for an additional $50.00.
• For more information call (708) 857-2201.

Grilling away from the shelters and by non-permit holders is prohibited. Propane grills are
prohibited.

For your safety and protection, the Oak Lawn Park District Board of Commissioners have established certain rules so that everyone may enjoy our parks safely. Patrons are required to comply with the following guidelines:

• Dogs are permitted only at Wolfe Wildlife and Bailey’s Crossing (with current membership).
• Dogs must be leashed at all times and owners must clean up after their dogs.
• Feeding the water fowl is prohibited.
• Inflatables and generators are not allowed in any park.
• Setting up tents of any size, canopies, and tables are prohibited in any park.
• Use of grills in parks without a permit is prohibited. See “Grill Use in Parks.”
• Hitting of golf balls is allowed only at Stony Creek Golf Course and Driving Range.
• Driving on the grass or through any park is prohibited.
• Drones/umanned aircraft are prohibited in all parks.
• Be respectful of other patrons with your music, language, and behavio

Athletic field permits are necessary for any formal and informal use of athletic fields. Certain fields are available for use, with permit and proof of insurance, April 1st through Columbus Day. Athletic Field Use Requests will be accepted beginning February 1 but not confirmed until April 1. For details call (708) 857-2201.

• This program is a wonderful way to honor someone special, memorialize a loved one, or celebrate a special occasion.
• Trees or benches may be planted/placed in a neighborhood park or at Stony Creek Golf Course.
• The Park District will assist in the selection of an appropriate tree for the desired location, and is responsible for planting/placement of the tree or bench.
• Call (708) 857-2200 or more information can be found on the flyer at www.olparks.com/get-involved/memorial-tree-and-bench-program.

Please be aware that our philosophy is to keep our programs and facilities as affordable as possible. However, in February of this year, the State of Illinois increased the $8.25 minimum wage to $15 by 2025. This is an 82% increase. This unfunded mandate will impact the Oak Lawn Park District drastically since we hire over 400 seasonal employees annually at less than $15 per hour. Most of these employees are high school and college students from Oak Lawn. Unfortunately this law will require us to increase our program fees and cut program offerings in order to maintain our budget. If each of those employees had only $1 added to their hourly rate, the District would incur an additional $122,000 in wages in 2020. By 2025, the District will incur an additional $691,000 in payroll expense annually plus $53,000 in payroll taxes.