Chicago Heights Park District — Local services in Bloom Township

I am very disappointed and not happy with the way The Superintendent manages the gym. This is only for financial gain, how do people not hat live in the community have to pay for a membership for a park district that based off the tax payers dollars. Then they can’t even use the gym while paying a monthly membership because of other activities and the gym is being rented. How does that benefit the kids, then I was told I couldn’t train my son or kids during “open gym” when no one is even in the gym at the time and plus it’s multiple people that come in their and train or work out kids in basketball. I was told I couldn’t use the cones because it looks like I’m coaching or running a program and we would have to rent the gym to do so. I pay a membership to utilize the gym for whatever because it’s open gym. I was also asked if I read the fine brook on the website or read the pamphlet, but there’s nothing on the website or anything that states anything that the superintendent told me. I believe she thinks I’m getting paid and she isn’t profiting from it and told me I would have to rent the gym. These kids are the ones who are suffering and getting involved in street activities when they have tried to come and better themselves and get away from the streets. It should not matter what I’m doing in the gym as long as I’m not causing problems or getting complaints. No one has complained that they can’t use the gym because I’m training or doing drills with my kids or the kids who play basketball for their schools in Chicago heights. Plus, if there is a fine print or a pamphlet when you sign up, how do the new members know any rules if it’s not posted or we’re not given a pamphlet or rule guide or something. You all are making money off the people in our community that pay a monthly membership and can’t use the gym but 1 or 2 days a week and the only other hours the kids are in school and only have a hour to use the gym before it’s rented or an activity is going on, what is the point of having a membership? The park district is free and paid for by tax paying dollars and we’re paying for a membership and still can’t use the gym. We have to still rent the gym for $60 an hour and pay a monthly membership to guarantee we can use the gym and train. That’s crazy and Chicago Heights need someone else who has the best interest of the community because this female superintendent do not care about anything but a financial gain. I will not keep my membership and would rather go to Matteson park district in which I do not live. Do better and find the right person for the job and I will be at the board meeting with others in...

The park was filthy. My daughter 2-year-old had to use the bathroom and her dad decided to take her. A lady who only works Sundays yelled at my husband and said only members can use the bathroom. He responded, " I can show you my ID I live in Chicago Heights." She said 3 times aggressively I will let you go this time. As they came out, security waited for them outside the bathroom to mention the same thing. He told them he would pay for a membership for her. They said they do not have a membership for a 2-year-old. When I came in to say to them that is not how they talk to a dad trying to take his daughter to the bathroom. We understand only members can use it, but we like it when to is talked to respectfully. We won't be going to that park anymore. The one by our house was just built and the swing broke when she was on it. Not sure where to go since that park is not safe and I can't buy a membership for my children until they are 6. They need to choose their battles. The lady who only works on Sundays needs to be more respectful. It's okay to see a man taking his daughter to the bathroom. I understand she probably had a hard life but she picked a job to be...

My daughter went to 8 weeks of swim lessons here (7 weeks, actually — they cancelled one session and did not provide a refund), and the instructors did not teach her how to swim. She's a little shy, so they totally ignored her in favor of the other kids, and they just let her sit there and play with water toys the whole 50 min. Or spent half the class lecturing parents about how we need to splash water on our child's face and ears during bathtime so they get used to the feeling..... she's almost 3, we're way past that, how about you actually teach them how to swim? They don't allow parents in the water, so I couldn't use the time to practice with her, either. Absolute waste of time and money, you'll have better luck going to a public pool and teaching your kid how to swim yourself. Only reason I'm giving 2 stars instead of 1 is because it's the park district, so I'm sure they've got to have something else going for them. The swim classes ain't it, though. I'll probably start taking her to programs at other park districts and just paying the nonresident fees there. I don't like how CHPD is...