Park District of Oak Park

"Two stars so far. The fitness area needs to be reassessed. It is obvious that there is a need for more Olympic bars, a bench press area, and an additional squat rack. There are usually a bunch of teenage boys hogging the only thing you can use to bench press or squat."

"The Park District has a Senior Center. I am taking a class in stone cutting. We have always had 2 participants and 2 machines ( that work). I thought that was logical. We recently got a third student and I am told they will sell up to 5 slots. That is like offering a sewing class and having 2 sewing machines for 5 people. I was not able to work on my stones that day because the teacher never set up a ‘time share’, and the student wouldn’t move. Nor should we have to. If I pay for a class I plan to work. I was told by a Jan Arnold to get a refund if I didn’t like that set up. How is that a solution?? How can they offer a class, take your money and not have equipment?? The teacher says that a student took home the motor of a broken machine to fix! Don’t they have repair people? I’m surprised it isn’t union, which wouldn’t allow this. That machine is older than I am, and I’m a senior. There is another antique machine that has its grinding wheels so run down it sparks. And they can’t undo the bolts to change the wheels even if they are still being made. But when I asked, they tell you they work so they can sell more spaces in the class. The teacher told me not to complain because we might not be making enough money and they may shut down the program. This is a non for profit and I know they also receive money as part of the Charity program of the Economy Shop."

"The parks themselves are lovely, and the facilities for kids look good. However, in terms of programs and facilities for adults, the situation is different: The program website is confusing, it's difficult to find any adult fitness classes that are not filled up; there is no indoor pool readily available to adults (high school kids have a pool); and the one running track is often unavailable to adults due to high school practices and meets taking place in the field which the track surrounds. I'm not thrilled about so much space being devoted to the skating rink—an activity for which parents have to shell out a lot of money if their kids want to participate."

"Not sure what's led to these first very low reviews -- the Park District is, simply put, incredible. They have hundreds of programs, and offer interesting and affordable options for all ages. The programming is well thought out and varied, and we are enormously fortunate to live in a neighborhood with so much available for its residents. Sports, crafts, day trips, cooking, arts, music, camp -- it's absolutely amazing. The Park District has won awards!! Emphatically five stars."