Category: Press Release

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The Park District has planned an abbreviated day camp program for children ages 3 years to 9th grade with your child’s health and safety as our utmost concern. In addition to traditional day camp, the Park District is offering a limited amount of SCAW camp offerings as well as Chess Scholar and LEGO camps. There is even a Virtual Camp called “Camp in a Box!”   Registration for all Oak Park residents opened on Monday, June 1. Spaces are still available in several camp locations.   If there is availability later in the summer, camps will be opened to non-residents.

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JANUARY 12th AMENDMENT

INITIAL NOTICE

CONTACT US

RESOURCES

JANUARY 12th AMENDMENT

Dear Patrons,

As of Wednesday, January 12, 2022, the Oak Park Public Health Department issued two amendments to its Proof of Vaccination in Public Places order.

On January 6, an exemption was added to the order for newly turning 5-year-old children allowing them to participate in recreation programming while they are getting vaccinated:

Any individual who attains five (5) years of age on or after the effective date of the Order (January 6, 2022) shall be entitled to a grace period of six (6) weeks to allow time for the individual to become fully‐vaccinated

On January 12, a new amendment was added allowing individuals 18 years of age or younger to participate in youth athletics/programs under certain conditions:

Any individual eighteen (18) years of age or younger can participate in youth athletics or recreation if they provide either a vaccination card OR a negative COVID‐19 test administered at a proctored facility (non‐at‐home test) within forty‐eight (48) hours before participating.

The Park District of Oak Park staff will continue the protocols already in place per the Health Department order which includes confirming vaccination status prior to entering our facilities with the following changes:

Thank you for your patience and grace as we navigate these new Covid-19 mitigations.

Stay safe,

Jan Arnold, Executive Director

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INITIAL NOTICE

Dear Park District Patrons,

On Thursday, December 30, 2021 the Oak Park Public Health Department issued an ordinance mandating proof of vaccination in public places including health, fitness, and recreation centers effective Monday, January 10, 2022. That said, any individual over the age of 5 will be required to show proof that they are fully vaccinated before entering any Park District facility. This includes participants and/or spectators of a class, program, or event held inside. Indoor masking is still a requirement and is included in this order.

Beginning Monday, January 10, Park District of Oak Park staff will be confirming proof of vaccination for all class participants, spectators, and visitors prior to allowing entry into the program space.

Proof of Vaccination means:

• A CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Card; or

• An official immunization record from the jurisdiction, state, or country where the vaccine was administered; or

• An ‘app’ that provides a digital record of vaccinations; or

• A digital or physical photo of such a card or record that includes the individual’s name, the vaccine brand administered, and the date the vaccination was administered.

Identification to accompany vaccine proof:

• For those age 16 and older, identification must accompany vaccination proof. Identification includes a driver’s license, government ID, passport, work or school identification card, etc. that corresponds to the vaccination proof.

What constitutes fully vaccinated:

• Two weeks after their second does in a 2-dose series: Pfizer or Moderna Vaccines, OR

• Two weeks after a single dose series: Johnson & Johnson

Exemptions to this order:

• Preschools and childcare centers, which include our 2 and 3-day Preschool offerings and Clubhouse Afterschool participants.

• Those who are medically unable to receive vaccination, for any reason, if they:

(1) show proof of the exemption from a medical provider, AND

(2) show proof of a negative COVID test within 24 hours of coming into any facility. This includes providing a NEW negative Covid-19 test from a medical professional, indicating the test date and results. Please note: at-home tests are not accepted.

•Caregivers dropping children off for participation who will be in our facility less than 10 minutes.

Masks and physical distancing when possible are still required indoors:

• Masks are required indoors for any person age two or older that can medically tolerate it (regardless of vaccination status). This applies to all indoor activities and sports participants, including children, parents, coaches, officials, athletes of all ages, & spectators without exceptions.

• Physical distancing of six feet or more is required when feasible.

Helpful Tips:

✓ Have Proof of Vaccination on hand: The Park District of Oak Park will not be collecting or maintaining records of vaccination status. Park District staff will be checking vaccination status each time an individual enters a building.

✓ Have medical exemptions and testing results met before every session of a class, program, or event: This includes a NEW negative Covid-19 test 24 hours before every session of a class, program, or event.

✓ Please stay home if you are feeling sick or are experiencing any Covid-19 symptoms in order to reduce community spread.

✓ Please note that food is not permitted at this time in any of our facilities.

✓ Water/Water bottles are the only drink permitted in our facilities.

✓ Please continue to follow updates on our website, social media, and through email.

✓ Feel free to contact us with questions:

Kelsey Tumpane

PDOP Risk Manager

Kelsey.Tumpane@pdop.org

Ann Marie Buczek

Communication & Community Engagement Manager

AnnMarie.Buczek@pdop.org

The Park District of Oak Park is committed to servicing the needs of our patrons. If you or a member of your household are unable to participate in a program due to this Oak Park Health Department ordinance, please contact Customer Service who will assist you in canceling your participation and providing a program fee refund. Please email us info@pdop.org with the program/activity name, participant name, and whether you prefer a refund or Park District account credit and we will process accordingly.

We sincerely appreciate your cooperation, understanding and patience, and we look forward to providing safe and healthy programs and services for the Oak Park Community.

Stay Healthy,

Jan Arnold, Executive Director

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RESOURCES

Resources and information from the Community Mental Health Board

• Resources
  • To speak with other staff members regarding a program or facility question, please access our staff directory.
  • Village of Oak Park’s actions to address the Coronavirus
  • We encourage the public to follow social distancing guidelines.
  • CDC guidelines about when and where to wear masks
  • Residents are welcomed to walk park paths following social distancing guidelines.
  • CMHB Resource Guide
  • Intellectural/Developmental Disability Consortium Resource Guide
  • Illinois COVID-19 FAQs
  • COVID-19 Know the Facts from the CDC

The Park District of Oak Park was notified in January 2020 by the Office of Governor Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources that our community will receive a $400,000 matching grant for the renovation of Rehm Park and a $192,000 matching grant for land acquisition near Carroll Park. These funds are part of the Open Space Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) Grant Program which provides matching dollars for outdoor recreation space projects throughout Illinois.

Rehm Park improvements will include a new, accessible playground and surface, a game area, a picnic gazebo, and a much-needed restroom. The entrance off of East Avenue into the playground will be moved to the north end of the playground to heighten playground safety. Park renovation is slated to begin in July and completed by the end of the year. Input for park improvements gathered in 2008 was utilized to develop the original Rehm Park site plan which was updated through a community input process in 2016. A park site plan is required for an OSLAD grant application.

The land acquired with OSLAD grant money is near Carroll Park. This property was identified for acquisition as part of the original master planning process in 2005 and was supported by the public in the master plan review in March 2014. This property will be converted to park space similar to two nearby properties purchased in 2007 and converted to green space. With only 54 acres of park land to serve over 52,000+ residents, the Park District continues to look for land acquisition opportunities to expand programs and services.

The Park District was eligible for this grant funding due to the successful passing of the “Renew Our Parks” referendum by Oak Park voters in April 2005. The local matching funds of $592,000 will come from the Park District of Oak Park’s Capital Improvement Budget. Since the 2006, the Park District has secured over $5.2 million in grant funds from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to renovate 10 District parks including the construction of the Austin Gardens Environmental Education Center. 

In announcing the grant awards, Governor Pritzker stated “Investments in local park projects are good for families and recreation enthusiasts, helping them enjoy outdoor activities and making Illinois communities better places to live and work. Parks projects also boost local economic development efforts and spur additional investment throughout the state.”

“OSLAD grant funds allow the Park District to stretch local tax dollars to improve our parks and facilities,” Park District Executive Director Jan Arnold said upon learning of the grant award. “Grant monies from the State of Illinois have made a significant impact on the quality of life in our community. We are grateful for these grant awards and the recreation opportunities they afford the residents of Oak Park.”