Robots for the Holidays! Upcoming winter classes include Holiday Robotics, a one-day program Wednesday, 12/13. Learn about gear ratio, sensors, pulleys, and more as you build trucks, space rovers, helicopters, and much more. More STEM-based programs can be found in our Winter Recreation Guide along with our youth athletics opportunities starting early January.

Tiny Tot Open Gym Begins Wednesday, December 13th! New this winter, we’ll have a variety of play features available for little ones to explore with their adult weekly on Wednesdays from 9:30am-11:00am. This is a great opportunity to get to know other parents and have kiddos meet new friends. This program requires adult supervision, there is no instructor for this open gym program. Day-of registration is required for this drop-in program. Please check in at the registration desk before entering the gym.

Open “Short Court” Pickleball Begins Monday, December 11th! New this winter, We’ll have two “short courts” set up for open pickleball play on Mondays from 10am-1pm. This is a great opportunity to learn the sport, improve your skills, and meet fellow players in the area. There is no instructor for this open gym program. Day-of Registration is required for this drop-in program. Please check in at the registration desk before entering the gym. Paddles and balls are available to check out free of charge during open gym hours.

Employment Opportunities with the Department of Recreation and Parks The Department of Recreation and Parks is seeking motivated, energetic people to join our team.

• The Building Attendant position is a part-time role with flexible hours primarily working weekday evenings and weekends assisting with the department’s rentals, programming, and facility maintenance.

• The Recreation Supervisor position is a full-time role that coordinates, develops, and administers a wide variety of recreation programs and events while being a vital team member in the overall operations of the department including facility and grounds, rentals, and administrative systems.

Both are great opportunities to gain experience in the many facets of recreation and parks department operations. Visit the employment section of the Village’s website for more information on both positions and applications.  

Our next Business Spotlight features Wild Birds Unlimited!

Learn more about this wonderful Village of Palos Park establishment from owners Mel and Laura Tracy.

Palos Park Police Adopt One by One Policing

“Always have a willing hand to help someone, you might be the only one that does.”

― Roy Bennett

Palos Park Police Commissioner Dan Polk realizes that public perception of police culture has been defined as a tipping point for tensions over the past few years, based on behavior of some in law enforcement. Commissioner Polk thinks it is imperative to emphasize a mission of service with a key responsibility to protect the vulnerable. 

Focus must be on maintaining trust, approval, and cooperation with the public by creating environments that are safe and secure and where people can thrive. One-by-one Policing is a unique philosophy embraced by all members of the Palos Park Police Department. It is a complete lifestyle our members believe in. One that promotes compassion and a focus on evaluating how best we can serve each person individually.

Police Chief Joe Miller said in 2024 Palos Park will formalize their commitment to “One-by-One Policing” which they have informally utilized for several years. This model is based on three principles:

• Serve people as individuals
• Create safe and secure environments
• Help people thrive

Providing safety and security is important to our community, but we are inspired to take our service to the community a step further. Many times, this involves helping people with problems or concerns that are not specifically related to crime yet are areas of concern related to quality of life.

It’s one thing for leadership to embrace new ideas about policing and another to make them the common coin of police culture. It can be difficult, The Palos Park Police department, like all police agencies are a microcosm of the larger society. One-by-one policing is a unique way of leading and serving people that is central to our mission of providing a safe and secure community. This is our purpose, our cause, our belief. Although the Palos Park Police Department is responsible for serving the community as a whole, we approach this responsibility by focusing on individuals, thus serving people one-by-one. Palos Park Police officers understand each individual and their situation is unique.

Amtrak has plans underway to redesign the Concourse at Chicago Union Station. The new design will increase capacity and provide a higher level of service for both intercity and commuter passengers, while bringing the facility into a state of good repair. The renovation will incorporate contemporary thinking around sustainability, inclusivity, and universal design. It will improve safety, reduce severe congestion, create a more logical customer friendly passenger flow, improve signage and wayfinding, expand restroom capacity, and create a spacious Amtrak waiting and boarding area, providing a more welcoming environment for both Amtrak and Metra customers who use the station.



Amtrak is launching a customer survey to gather input from all users of the station.



Please take the survey at this link (https://survey3.medallia.com/?8QzuBB-Concourse) or scan the QR code. The survey can also be found on the Chicago Union Station website under the Concourse Improvement Tab.

Protect Your Pipes

While you're away this winter, protect your pipes and water meter from freezing. A frozen pipe and water meter will crack and become an open source of continuous water that will flow into your home. If this happens, homeowners are responsible for the cost of a water meter and the thousands of gallons of water that will flow into your home. Sufficient heat is necessary to protect the water meter and pipes. If you turn down your heat, check that the lower temperature allows for sufficient heat in the area where your water meter is located to protect it and the pipes from freezing. You can also wrap the exposed pipes and water meter with insulation available at most hardware stores. Another way to protect your home is to locate the inside water shut off valve before the water meter and close it down and drain all the water from your pipes. The best protection if you are leaving your home for an extended period of time is to request Public Works shut off your water at the buffalo box. There is a fee of $100.00 for shutting water off at your buffalo box, however this is low cost compared to the cost of a broken pipe or water meter. Call (708) 671-3721 to arrange for water shut off at your home.

This holiday season, the Palos Park Police Cadet program is again holding their Annual Holiday Food Drive. We are looking for donations of non-perishable foods such as canned goods or boxed goods.

The cadets will accept donations at the Palos Park Police Department located at 8999 W. 123rd Street. Donations are accepted from November 1st, through January 1st. This is another way to give back to the community and help families that are in need.

All donations will go help out families from the greater southwest suburban area. To request a pick-up or for more information, please call (708) 671-3770 or email Jmiller@palospark.org. 

Palos Park Police Cadet Food Drive drop off sites:

Palos Park Recreation Center 8901 W. 123rd Street

Palos Park Library 12330 Forest Glen Boulevard

Palos Park Metra Station 12200 S. 82nd Avenue

Village of Palos Park Kaptur Administrative Center 8999 W. 123rd Street

Blue Star Memorial Bricks

The Blue Star Memorial, located at the Village Green, is a tribute to the men and women of the Armed Forces who have defended the United States of America. Residents may purchase a personalized brick to honor a loved one who served in the military. Visit our website for more information. These pavers may be purchased throughout the year by completing the order form.  If you have any questions please contact Lisa Bujak, Assistant to Mayor and Village Manager, via email at lbujak@palospark.org or by phone at 708-671-3705.

Voting is ongoing for the official Village of Palos Park flower! Voting ballots are going out in utility bills and can be returned in the mail, but residents can also vote via the The Village of Palos Park Office of the Mayor Facebook page. If voting by Facebook, only votes cast on the Mayor's page will be counted. Pictures of each flower will be pinned to the top of the Facebook page. Give a like to the flower of your choice and your vote is cast! You can also vote in person at the Village Hall. *One vote per household via mail, Facebook, or in person. Which flower will you choose Palos Park?

Get ready for winter fun in the Forest Preserves of Cook County! Their Winter Guide is now available and full of information on programs, events, and amenities, from snowy escapades to indoor delights. The Winter Guide is available at the Village hall or view their online events schedule at fpdcc.com/events.

Shop The Park

Palos Park has a variety of local restaurants and food establishments to fit all your needs, whether you are in the mood for American, Chinese, Italian, Thai, or seafood. Many of the restaurants offer delivery and carry out services, as well as great casual dining.

Restaurants | Palos Park

For a full listing of all Palos Park Businesses, visit our website.