PDoFP Closures & Updates Regarding COVID-19

UPDATE (3/19 5pm)

An update from Village of Forest Park Mayor Rory Hoskins on the village’s response and planning during the COVID-19 outbreak.
“Forest Park is not subject to a shelter in place order. However, we do strongly suggest that you act as though you think that you have been exposed to the COVID-19 virus, as our over-arching goal is to minimize its spread.”

UPDATE (3/18 12pm)

Parking passes that are expiring March 31, 2020 for the Lathrop Lot do not need to be renewed at the moment. No citations will be issued for expired passes. Check back for updates as to when you can renew your pass.

UPDATE (3/17 2:45pm):

The Regular Meeting of the Board of Park Commissioners of the Park District of Forest Park scheduled for March 19, 2020 has been Suspended per Executive Order 2020 – 7 in Response to COVID-19.

UPDATE (3/16 4:30pm): 

As of 6pm on March 16 through March 30, all outdoor facilities will be closed. This includes the bathrooms, skate park, soccer field, tennis courts, and in-line skate rink.

COVID-19 Update

Dear Forest Park Residents,

PARK DISTRICT OF FOREST PARK CLOSES BEGINNING MARCH 13 AT 6PM

As of Friday, March 13, the Village of Forest Park does not have any known cases of COVID-19 in the community. However, in conjunction with the Village of Forest Park, School District 91, and the Forest Park Public Library, the Park District of Forest Park is planning to postpone, reschedule, or cancel all programming and close all facilities to the public starting on March 13 at 6pm out of an abundance of caution and in response to the social distancing guidelines recommended by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). At this time, the Park District of Forest Park will remain closed through Sunday, March 29. As it is a fluid situation, we will be re-evaluating the situation Thursday, March 26.

School District 91, the Forest Park Public Library, and Howard Mohr Community Center will also be closed as we practice social distancing.

Our outdoor facilities will remain open, as well as our outdoor bathrooms behind the Roos Recreation Center and around the corner from the pool entrance.

We remain in contact with our local, state, and federal officials and will inform you of information as it becomes available.

Our customer service staff will be available via phone at 708-366-7500 Monday-Friday from 8:00am-6:00pm.

If you have a child/children in District 91 schools, a plan is in place to provide boxed lunches during this time period. Per District 91’s announcement, the following information has been provided re: lunches.

“Our food service provider is providing boxed lunches available for a drive-up/walk-up “grab and go” lunch for our students.  Lunches are free to all currently enrolled preschool through eighth grade students in District 91.   Two sites will be available for “grab and go” from 11am-12pm on Monday through Friday next week.  Students who reside on the north side of town–regardless of grade level or attendance center–may pick up at the lobby entrance of Garfield Elementary School located at 543 Hannah Avenue; students who reside on the south side of town–regardless of grade level or attendance center–may pick up at the gymnasium vestibule entrance of Forest Park Middle School located on the Ferdinand Avenue side of the building.”

We will continue to take extra precautions when cleaning our facilities. Our wonderful maintenance staff has been deep cleaning the buildings regularly and disinfecting all hard surfaces throughout the day.

Thank you for your understanding and for working with us as we all do our part to prevent and slow the spread of this virus in our community. Please remember that the best way to combat this is to follow the CDC recommendations to wash your hands, stay home if ill, cover your cough and sneeze, and avoid crowds.  We will do our best to communicate to you during this rapidly evolving situation.

Thank you for your help and understanding.

Sincerely,

Park District of Forest Park