It’s an inspiring story filled with many chapters of growth and achievement. You have likely played a role in it as well. And so much more is yet to be written.

Our Lake in the Hills Parks & Recreation Department was created in 1996 and has been proudly growing smiles throughout the community for 30 years. Nothing outshines the sight of happy faces on children and adults who find great joy in exploring, learning, having fun and forming special bonds.

It’s what community is all about, and it’s what helps make Lake in the Hills an exceptional place to be.

Parks & Rec has grown as the village has grown, ensuring that programs and activities always meet the wide-ranging needs and desires of our diverse residents. In three decades of providing quality recreational opportunities, Parks & Rec has seen the local population nearly double. During this time, we have created countless spaces where friendships grow, families connect and neighbors come together.

With our 30th anniversary coinciding with the nation’s 250th birthday in 2026, Parks & Rec has many themed events that connect to our “Summer of Celebrations.” The goal is to honor our history as a country and community while making new memories together.

Our journey began when the Parks & Recreation Board was formed through the appointment of seven members by the Village Board on June 16, 1996. With the inception of the Board, a small number of classes were offered to residents.

The first director of Parks & Rec was hired in August 1996. The director formalized programs and developed partnerships to offer a variety of experiences for residents that we continue to build upon today.

The first recreation brochure was distributed in the summer of 1997 and offered 80 programs. A superintendent of recreation was hired in February 1998, adding road trips, special events and more programs to our offerings.

In 2000, the first recreation supervisor joined the team to specifically develop a day camp program and expand existing activities. That year also featured the debut of the Summer Sunset Festival, our community’s signature event that is organized by a volunteer group in coordination with the Village. The good times were rolling in Lake in the Hills.

Our furry four-legged friends celebrated the opening of the 10-acre Bark Park in 2005, enjoying a large running area and water fountains. Park programs moved to online registration in 2007, the same year that our popular Playschool Academy debuted.

Other notable developments on the Parks & Rec timeline include the creation of the Sunset Park Splash Pad in 2009; a disc golf course dedication in 2012; preschool classes expanding into the Annex in 2013; and our fun and entertaining Rec2U van hitting the streets in 2021.

The Village’s park system grew from 26 parks in 1996, to 32 parks in 2007, to 34 parks in 2026, developing more than 140 acres of open and park space along the way. The smallest park is Kennedy Triangle at 0.13 of an acre while the largest is Sunset Park Sports Complex at 125 acres. Our parks include more than 5 miles of off-street bike paths.

The jewel of our community is the 260-acre Fen Nature Preserve at Barbara Key Park, further encouraging Lake in the Hills residents to explore the outdoors. The Fen is covered with more than 400 species of native plants and wildflowers, over 40 of which are classified as uncommon, rare or endangered. The Fen also boasts more than 60 species of birds, rare insects and geological features left from the Ice Age.

It certainly has been a great ride to this year’s significant 30th anniversary, but Parks & Rec is just getting rolling. Check out the vast “Summer of Celebrations” offerings for all ages in our digital 2026 Summer Activity Guide. Your continued involvement will help fuel our future success.

Get ready, Lake in the Hills, for a magnificent summer to remember!