Take a peek at the New GreenPrint Plan!
Click on the link to the side to download a DRAFT version of the New GreenPrint Plan.
Welcome to the New GreenPrint Master Plan
Ten years ago, the Park District of Highland Park introduced GreenPrint, a transformative parks and recreation master plan that shaped the future of open spaces, facilities, and programs in Highland Park. With community input, collaboration, and strategic investment, the initiatives outlined in the plan were implemented over the last ten years, enhancing parks, recreation facilities, and open spaces throughout the district. This accomplishment reflects a strong commitment to delivering on long-term priorities and setting a solid foundation for future planning efforts. Now, a decade later, it’s time to reassess, refine, and reimagine what comes next.
The New GreenPrint Master Plan will build upon the success of the original plan while incorporating new insights, priorities, and emerging needs.
This process will involves robust community engagement, a fresh analysis of parks, facilities, and programs, and a clear roadmap for future investments—ensuring that Highland Park’s facilities, parks, and programs continue to serve residents for years to come.
This is an opportunity to celebrate what’s working, identify what’s next, and craft a new shared vision for the future. We invite you to be a part of it!
Sign Up for GreenPrint Updates
What to Expect
The New GreenPrint Master Plan will unfold in three phases, each designed to build momentum, encourage participation, and create a clear roadmap for the future.
Click on each phase below to learn more about the process!
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We began by reconnecting with the Highland Park community, gathering ideas, and identifying priorities. This phase included a Statistical Community-wide Survey, as well as additional outreach completed by The Lakota Group:
Stakeholder Interviews and Focus Group Discussions including the Park Board Commissioners, Civic Groups, Transportation Advisory Group, Government Partners, Park Foundation Members, New Residents, Young Adults, Pickleball Committee, and Athletic Teams.
Pop-up Workshops including stations at the Egg Hunt, Centennial Ice Arena, Recreational Center, Danny Cunniff, and Olson Park.
Online Survey
Department SWOC Analysis for all departments
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Now that we have gathered community insights, we’ll dive into data, existing plans, and current conditions to assess opportunities and challenges. This phase includes:
An updated inventory of parks, open spaces, and recreation facilities
A review of current programming and participation trends
An evaluation of past GreenPrint priorities to measure progress and identify new needs
Collaboration with Park District staff to ensure recommendations are both visionary and practical
This analysis will help refine priorities, guiding the development of clear, actionable strategies.
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The final phase brings everything together into a New GreenPrint Master Plan—a strategic guide for the next decade. This phase includes:
Testing and refining new initiatives for recreation programs, parks, and facilities
Developing actionable strategies for investment and improvements
Ensuring the plan is financially and operationally achievable
Finalizing the plan with community input before its release in early 2026
The result? A dynamic, realistic plan that balances ambition with practicality, ensuring that Highland Park’s recreation and parks system continues to thrive.
Why It Matters
Highland Park’s recreation facilities, parks, and trails are more than just places—they are the heart of the community. They provide spaces for families to gather, children to play, athletes to compete, and residents to connect with nature. They contribute to physical and mental well-being, protect the environment, and enhance quality of life.
The New GreenPrint Master Plan isn’t just about projects—it’s about people. It’s about ensuring that our parks and recreation system continues to serve everyone, now and for future generations.
Let’s build the next chapter of GreenPrint—together!
Meet the Team
The Park District of Highland Park and the Park Board of Commissioners will lead the planning team below throughout the process, ensuring that the end result reflects the needs and aspirations of the Highland Park community.
The Lakota Group brings extensive experience in park planning, community engagement, and urban design, ensuring the plan is both visionary and achievable.
BerryDunn specializes in recreation assessments, analyzing programs, operations, and facility needs to support data-driven recommendations.
aQity Research & Insights will conduct a community-wide statistically valid survey, gathering feedback from residents to ensure decisions are informed by broad public input.
The New GreenPrint Master Plan is a collaborative effort led by The Lakota Group, alongside our expert partners at BerryDunn and aQity Research & Insights.
Together, we bring a deep understanding of Highland Park’s values and priorities, which have been built through years of partnership. Our goal? To craft a plan that reflects the community’s needs while setting an ambitious yet attainable course for the future.
