Northbrook Park District utilizes the notification app Statusfy that provides the community with a simple way to find out the status of a field, facility or special event.
To download the free Statusfy mobile app, visit the App Store opens in new tab (iOS) or Google Play opens in new tab (Android) and search “Northbrook Park District.” For phone prompts, call 847-281-3370.
ALL FIELDS CLOSED
Protect Your Fields!
Using fields too early in the winter months causes damage that can last all year long and may delay opening dates. Keeping off the fields until they are officially opened ensures safer play and better field conditions for everyone.
Baseball/Softball Field Update Procedures
- Fields are checked on a daily basis for playability. Field status will be updated by 4pm Monday-Friday and by 8:30am on Saturdays and Sundays.
- Once a decision has been made, the decision will not be reversed regardless of any change in weather conditions.
- The District only provides an update regarding field conditions to outside groups and doesn’t determine how, when and where games are rescheduled. Check with your league administrator regarding any schedule changes.
- League administrations, coaches and outside groups should use their best judgment if inclement weather arises if after field status has been updated to avoid additional charges/fees.
Soccer Field Update Procedures
- Soccer fields are checked on a daily basis for playability. Field status for weekdays (Monday–Friday) will be updated as needed. Field status for weekends will be updated for morning and afternoon soccer programs before games start.
- Once a decision has been made, the decision will not be reversed regardless of any change in weather conditions.
- The District will provide updates regarding field conditions, and where games are rescheduled for Northbrook Park District soccer programs only.
- The District only provides an update regarding field conditions to outside groups and doesn’t determine how, when and where games are rescheduled. Check with your league administrator regarding any schedule changes.
- League administrations, coaches and outside groups should use their best judgment if inclement weather arises if after field status has been updated to avoid additional charges/fees.
The Northbrook Park District strives to provide a safe environment for participation in all activities.
The Northbrook Park District has two lightning warning systems. One is located at Heritage Oaks Golf Club with ancillary units at West Park and Wood Oaks Green Park.
The other unit is located at Techny Prairie Park and Fields with ancillary units at the Chalet in Meadowhill Park and Village Green Park.
Location of the Units
- Techny Prairie Park and Fields: Strobe light located on top of the Techny Prairie Center building next to the lake
- Village Green Park: Strobe light located on top of the Village Green Center
- Meadowhill Park: Strobe light located on top of the Chalet next to the Ed Rudolph Velodrome
- Heritage Oaks Golf Club: strobe light located on the golf maintenance building, on the pump house near 17th hole, #5 green/#11 tee on the 18-hole course, and the #4 tee on the east-9 course
- West Park: Strobe light located on the Northbrook Sports Center roof (Northeast corner)
- Wood Oaks Green Park: strobe light located on the south side of the tennis building in the middle of the park
Strike Guard monitors cloud and cloud-to-ground lightning. The lightning warning system will activate when there is an immediate lightning threat in the area. When this occurs you must seek shelter immediately. The unit will deactivate when the immediate threat has passed. After the threat has passed and the siren and strobe are no longer seen or heard you may resume outdoor activities.
Activation (an immediate lightning threat is present)
- One uninterrupted (15-second) siren will sound and a strobe will flash.
Deactivation (the system has determined conditions are safe)
- Three 5-second blasts will sound and the strobe will go off.
Testing
- Testing takes place on Tuesdays at 9:30am for the lightning systems. Be sure not to confuse testing with an actual alarm! Testing will not take place if there is threatening weather.
Be vigilant in monitoring threatening weather and always err on the side of caution. Seek shelter immediately if:
- You hear one long siren.
- You hear thunder (regardless of siren).
- You see lightning (regardless of siren).
In cases of a severe weather emergency where there are no shelter/structures available, be sure you:
- Don’t stand under a natural lightning rod (i.e., tree).
- Don’t touch pooled water; stop all water activities.
- Temporary Shelters or tents should not be used as a storm shelter.
- Stay away from metal objects like fences and golf clubs.
- Avoid using the telephone except in emergencies.
- In open fields, seek low areas. If you feel or see hair stand on end, squat down and stand only on the balls of your feet, grab your knees and bend forward. Do not lie flat on the ground.
30/30 Lightning Safety Rule
- Go indoors if, after seeing lightning, you cannot count to 30 before hearing thunder. Stay indoors for 30 minutes after hearing the last clap of thunder.
During the winter months, the in line hockey rink at Meadowhill Park, 1479 Maple Avenue, and the basin at Tower Rink, 1225 Cedar Lane (located behind Village Hall and Northbrook Library), are transformed into outdoor ice rinks. These are non-refrigerated outdoor ice rinks that rely on specific cold weather conditions to make and maintain ice for skating.
Conditions for Making Ice
- The ground must be frozen at 4″–6″ deep.
- Several days of temperatures below 20° F must be in the forecast before and during the ice making process
- Once the process has started, making outdoor ice takes almost a full week before skating can be allowed.
- Please stay off the ice until officially open. Skating on it too early may cause damage or crack the ice which will cause opening delays and prolong the process
- Outdoor ice rinks will continue to be maintained throughout the winter months based on weather conditions.
- Ice rinks may close from time to time based on weather and ice conditions.
- The end date for continuing to make ice is usually the second week in February.