Lake Forest Rec Board Dissolved?! Why the City Shut It Down | Lake Forest Podcast

On this episode of The Lake Forest Podcast, hosts Pete Jansons, Joe Weiss, Skoo Walker, and guest Jeff Erso dive into the city’s decision to dissolve the Parks and Recreation Board, why it happened, and what it means for residents.

✅ Why the Parks & Rec Board was dissolved
✅ Friends of Lake Forest Parks: Helping or overstepping?
✅ Who should control events like Lake Forest Day?
✅ Is it time for a separate Park District?
✅ Lake Forest vs Lake Bluff youth sports
✅ Why local businesses are hurting downtown
✅ How to fix the beach concessions
✅ Sunday BBQs at Duffers featuring Liam Sheridan
✅ Golf simulator upgrades at Duffers

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⏱️ Key Moments
0:00 – Intro
4:10 – Thoughts on Lake Forest Parks and Rec Board and Legal Board going away
Clip from: • LF City Council | 04.21.2025
18:32 – People on Friends of Parks and Rec and Parks and Rec Board merge efforts?
28:30 – How does Skoo think the Parks and Recs Board should be set up if needed?
31:29 – Rick Amos Clip: • Rick Amos from Friends of Lake Forest...
31:35 – Was there a problem losing money on concerts with Friends of Parks and Rec?
34:50 – Lake Forest Day
41:39 – Where is the revenue promised from the artificial turf tournaments?
42:15 – Lake Forest Beach
44:40 – Dogs on the beach
49:00 – How does CROYA come into play?
50:57 – Travel baseball issues
53:25 – Jeff Urso’s thoughts on combining Lake Bluff and Lake Forest
56:50 – What killed Lake Forest Baseball? House vs. travel teams
59:50 – Parent-run leagues
1:02:25 – Lake Forest House Walkthrough Shoutout: https://www.lakeforestshowhouse.com/
PEMBROKE LODGE – Step into history and elegance at the 2025 Infant Welfare Society Lake Forest Showhouse & Gardens—a breathtaking 1895 estate featuring 30 rooms, English walled gardens, and timeless architecture by Henry Ives Cobb.
1:04:30 – Lake Bluff Lawnmower Parade: / 474650582671498
1:06:40 – Deerpath Road completely shut down phase: https://www.cityoflakeforest.com/news...
1:07:40 – Oakwood Ave update
1:08:45 – Shoutout to Singer Forest
1:09:11 – Should Joann Rolek and the Chamber of Commerce be doing more to help businesses in Lake Forest during the Deerpath construction?
1:11:05 – People aren’t even trying to come to downtown Lake Forest due to the road construction
1:12:20 – Should city government workers eat lunch locally instead of going to Vernon Hills or Highwood?
1:13:20 – When is Jeff Urso getting business from Lake Forest Beach?
1:15:00 – Why is Kemper managing the beach concessions?
1:21:50 – 150th Lake Forest Celebration, Taste of Lake Forest, Farmers Market
1:24:29 – Smokeout Sundays at Duffers (Liam Sheridan shoutout, singing machine)
1:27:00 – Duffers Tour