Park Safety Coordinator’s Letter to the Community

Dear Wildwood Residents,

Hello everyone! Summer is finally here, and we’re excited for another great season full of leisure, events, and activities! Our Park Safety Team always aims for a safe and worry-free summer and is looking forward to working with residents to keep our parks safe, clean, and enjoyable!

My name is Shelly Bird, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve as the Park Safety Coordinator for the Wildwood Park District. From my very first day at the Park District office, I was struck by the beauty of the park system. As someone who truly enjoys nature, I’m excited to be part of a team that obviously cares deeply about this special place. I am excited to be part of the team that ensures the park remains a safe, peaceful, and enjoyable place for everyone in your community.

With eight years as a preschool director, twelve years in grocery store deli, and twenty-six years partnering directly with pharmaceutical customers as a project leader, my customer relations and staff management experience is extensive. More importantly, I genuinely value the relationships I build with people.

Additionally, my perspective is shaped by living in a neighborhood with lake rights and community-owned properties. I understand residents’ desire to keep the lakes and parks clean, beautiful, and well maintained, while also recognizing that, as public spaces, certain park amenities are meant to be enjoyed by the broader community.

I am hopeful that my experience in customer relations, along with my respect for and appreciation of community property, will make me a good fit for your parks. I’m looking forward to working for you and meeting you in person.

Our Park Safety Team focuses on safety, service, and security, and we aim to ensure safe conditions, enforce ordinances, and be a helpful and friendly presence for residents.

The Wildwood Park District Park Safety Team will continue to enforce parking stickers in/on Park District property and encourage residents to pick up their free parking sticker from our park district office as soon as possible. Non-residents can obtain a temporary daily parking pass for $10.00; this pass allows you to park at a single park for a single day, and each park requires a separate pass for non-residents. Vehicles without a proper sticker/pass will be issued a warning first and then towed if found in violation again. We wish to emphasize, please ensure parking stickers/passes are visible, clear, and affixed to the inner passenger side of the front windshield. We do not want any vehicles towed due to failing to have the sticker/pass displayed! The Wildwood Park District only enforces parking rules on Park District properties; for any concerns or questions about public roads please contact the Warren Township Highway Department at 847.244.1101 ext. 301.

This year we are excited to once again welcome Harbor Brewing Co., who will be joining us for all our Summer Concerts and Movie in the Park! Cold beers and seltzers will be available to enjoy while listening to great bands and spending time with friends and family. Any kind of outside alcohol is not permitted—only what is purchased at the event. You must be 21 years or older to purchase or consume alcoholic beverages. We kindly ask that everyone enjoys responsibly. Any instance of over-consumption, public intoxication, or minors caught drinking may result in removal from the event and/or contacting the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.

The Wildwood Park District asks that all guests of our parks clean up after their pets, as well as keep all pets leashed and under control. Trash cans and Mutt Mitt dispensers are available at most park entrances. Let’s work together to keep our parks clean!

All Wildwood Park District parks are open from sunrise to dusk, with the exception of Rule Park, which closes at 10:00 PM. We kindly ask that all guests leave the parks after sunset. The Park District office hours are 9:30 AM – 4:00 PM Monday through Friday and 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM every 2nd and 4th Saturday from May through August. For any suspicious or criminal behavior in the parks after dark, please contact the Lake County Sheriff’s Office at 847.549.5200 or dial 911 depending on the severity of the situation.

For concerns regarding fishing, wildlife, lake conditions, and other resource issues in the greater Gages Lake and Wildwood area, please contact the Illinois Department of Natural Resources at 217.782.6302. For additional information on boating and watercraft, please contact DNR.Watercraft@illinois.gov.

Our Park Safety Staff are part-time seasonal employees and unfortunately are not available 24/7. We are available at peak anticipated hours of operation, generally from 2:00 PM – 8:00 PM depending on the time of season. If you need Park Safety assistance during these hours, please contact our Park Safety Line at 847.309.1478 or the Wildwood Park District office at 847.223.7275. Again, for emergencies, please dial 911 or contact the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. We encourage all residents to save these numbers in their phones for quick access.

We look forward to seeing everyone during our events and holidays! Please don’t hesitate to approach our Park Safety Staff with questions, concerns, or just to say hello. Park Safety is a community effort—by working together and staying vigilant, we can ensure our parks remain a safe and welcoming place for generations to come. We are grateful for the cooperation of our Wildwood residents and are committed to serving as caretakers of these beautiful spaces.

Sincerely,
Shelly Bird
Park Safety Coordinator
Wildwood Park District

parksecurity@wildwoodparkdistrict.com
847.309.1478