I've been taking classes through the park district for a couple years now, but only just started…read morevisiting the rec center. I wanted to start running, but terrible weather was preventing me from being outside, so I hit upon a solution of buying a multi-use pass for the fitness center and using the treadmill. I didn't really want a monthly or quarterly pass because I'm just not dedicated enough to come regularly enough to make it worth it. But a 10-use pass for $27 or a 20-use pass for $36, that's pretty reasonable. This building is clearly an old school that was converted. I haven't explored all of it but there seem to be several rooms used for martial arts, dance, yoga, and probably other fitness classes. I've mostly been in the fitness center, which seems to be either one big or two smaller classrooms combined and converted. The good: There's all the basics and essentials -- weights/strength training on one side, including some machines, balance balls, resistance bands, etc. The cardio side has a few treadmills, a couple of ellipticals, a stair climber, a few bikes and a couple TVs. There is a water fountain, a restroom and a shower room. There also about 8 lockers for stashing stuff. The not-as-good: It just doesn't feel like a dedicated gym facility. I was spoiled by Wood Dale's rec center, a town about a third the size of Lombard. Wood Dale's has two proper locker rooms with showers, a free-to-the-community walking/running track and a fitness center that's bigger and has nicer, newer equipment. They also have a somewhat wider variety of classes. Lombard's facilities feel somewhat makeshift. They're a bit cramped, there's one shower with a note about letting it warm up for 15 minutes in winter, no indoor track, no spin classes. In my dream world, Lombard would take over the old Kmart space sitting and rotting at Roosevelt and Finley and make it a shiny new dedicated rec, fitness and community center. But in the real world, I'll make do with the adequate facilities at Sunset Knoll and keep running on the treadmill.

I came here this past Saturday morning to register my husband and I for a yoga class. Normally I…read morejust register online, but since there were several class cancellations due to weather issues the session before, I had a coupon ... that technically expired the day before. The extremely friendly staff was kind enough to still accept it. They were fast, funny, and nice to talk to. A nice way to start my morning of errand running :)

During covid, 2020-2022, I took a break from the gym, for obvious reasons, but mostly because I did…read morenot want to wear a mask while I was riding the recumbent bike, the only piece of equipment I use. In late May 2022, I opted to pay the "new" member fee and start the month billing so I could return to riding the bike. Fast forward to today. I have been to the DGPDRC 4 consecutive weeks and have yet to find an employee who knows how to use Life Fitness phone ap correctly. Week #1 I tried to use it without instruction. Failed Week #2 No one knew how to correctly use the ap. Week #3 Luke said he would help me today, but when I arrived today I found out Luke is no longer employed there. Week #4 "I'll look into this." I'll keep you posted.

My family and I have been members here for YEARS. Happy members at that. I grew up using the…read morefacilities and my parents have continued using the facility. It's an affordable gym with good parking and friendly staff. Very convenient for DG residents. However lately the quality has diminished. No one seems to care to keep the equipment or bathroom clean. They've let go of staff that worked hard to keep the facilities running smoothly. Towels are starting to look like rags. They've opened the track for free for non-residents and lucky us WE get to pay more. How is that fair?! In fact, since making the track free the quality of the gym has gotten much worse. I mean, If you're not paying for the facility why care right? Super disappointed. Despite multiple attempts to contact the district, they are unresponsive and uncaring. It's worth considering another gym that cares more. But if you're not picky and want low membership fees, give it a shot.

This review isn't about amenities--it's about safety and accountability…read more There has been a longstanding, repeated issue involving a member who has engaged in inappropriate and harassing behavior toward underaged lifeguards over multiple years. According to staff reports and community awareness, these concerns have been raised more than once and are not new. What's deeply troubling is the pattern of response. Instead of a permanent resolution, the approach has reportedly been temporary suspensions followed by reinstatement--after which similar concerns continue to surface. If accurate, that is not a meaningful safeguard but rather a cycle. When an organization is aware of repeated allegations involving minors and continues to allow the same individual back into that environment, it raises serious questions about judgment, oversight, and priorities. At a minimum, it suggests a failure to put adequate protections in place for staff. This is not about one incident--it is now a repeated pattern with clear evidence that the executive director and board do not care about the safety of the young women they employ. Anyone considering employment here, or parents with kids working here, should be asking very direct questions about how harassment is addressed and what protections actually exist in practice. The parl district's mandated sexual harassment training for their staff while doing nothing to protect them from harassment from their precious paying members. Until there is clear accountability and transparency, this is a concern the community should take seriously.

Wow, what a great place! We took the kids here the other day for a respite from the heat and some…read morefun in the sun. I thought that we'd end up staying a couple of hours but we were there all day. Our kids had a blast there's so much to do inside and outside for little people, and they both fell asleep in their car seats on the way home. Thanks for a great day. Definitely recommend checking this place out if you've got a little guys.

I signed my kiddo up here for sports camp and couldn't be any happier. The facility itself is so…read morewell kept and the building is practically brand spanking new. They have an inside soccer field, which my son loved. The staff is also great with the kids and the lunch is provided in the fee. They also have an indoor walking track for the public to use, you just have sign in. Though I'm not a Melrose Park resident, I definitely intend on returning to try the other programs offered.

We hosted our sons 4th birthday party here from 5-7pm on a Saturday in January…read more We weren't sure how the timed stations and open play time was going to go with a group of 4 year olds but our experience was wonderful! The host was great with our son, the place was clean and organized, and it was a huge hit. The simplicity for decorating with just a banner and table clothes we brought was perfect and it was very convenient to have the rolling container to wheel all the presents out to the car. Would recommend!

Had a 3rd bday party for my son and it was a perfect venue for it. Dan was our party coordinator…read moreand he did a wonderful job. It was very organized and there was perfect amount of time in each space. The pizza was delicious and everything was so nice and prepared. The kids had an absolute blast and my son loved it.

Fantastic park district - excellent selection of activities and the parks in the community are…read moreincredible and better than most much larger communities. Staff has been great and activities well organized. Truly a great aspect of the community.

It's ok. The staff seem overworked and underpaid. The facilities are decent though dirty and in…read moreneed of repair. The programs are better than they were a few years ago. Overall it's an average park district.

I love Fort Hill Fitness! I have been a member since they opened in August 2016. I have a basic…read moremembership but use the group exercise classes more than anything. All the teachers I've had have been super friendly, motivating, knowledgeable, and happy to help in any way they can. My favorite classes are Total Body Conditioning with Lisa, Bodypump with Sarah and Piyo with Cindy. Karen is also a great instructor teaching various classes. I use the childcare center almost daily and the price for unlimited childcare is such a great deal. Everyone who works there is more than capable of providing friendly and safe babysitting. My 3 year old loves coming as everyone is so sweet and welcoming. The staff takes such an interest in my kids and makes an effort to get to know me as well. My son has been coming since he was 3 months old and I love that they have a separate area for the really little ones. The facility is kept extremely clean and is brand new. My daughter has taken a gymnastics class and it's so cute. She adores it and the gym is very well equipped! Overall the facility is kept very clean and I love working out here. I've also made some great friends! You won't feel out of place or ostracized if you aren't super fit. Lots of friendly faces everywhere!

Whitney made this experience extremely disappointing and honestly ruined my daughter's birthday…read moreparty. First, I had to pay for the party twice. I initially paid over the phone, and although the charge posted to my bank account, somehow it never registered with the park district. Because of that, I had to dispute the charge. To make matters worse, the park district is now trying to fight the dispute even though it was clearly a double charge situation. Before the party, I spoke with Whitney and was informed that extending the party to 5:30 PM would not be an issue because the final party slot was from 3:30-5:30 PM. The hosting itself was extremely disorganized. The kids did not begin playing games until nearly 4 PM, despite the party already being underway, and they were supposed to eat at 4:30 PM. Later, I asked again about extending the party to 5:30 PM, and the hosts stated, "We don't mind." While I left briefly to pick up pizza, I also spoke with Crystal at the front desk, who informed me she had spoken with Olivia, the host lead, and after a meeting near the front desk, everyone confirmed everything was fine regarding the extension. When I returned with the pizza, Crystal and both hosts again reassured me there were no issues and that the party could continue until 5:30 PM. Then at 4:53 PM, Whitney suddenly called and said, "Just to confirm, your party ends at 5 PM." At that point, I was beyond confused because every host, front desk employee, and supervisor I had spoken with had already confirmed otherwise. To make matters worse, once we were back in the party room, the hosts suddenly told me the kids could not eat in the room and instead had to eat in the hallway. My daughter was not even allowed to sing "Happy Birthday" properly in the room. I literally had to sing Happy Birthday to my daughter in the hallway. The entire experience felt chaotic, poorly communicated, and incredibly inconsiderate. It honestly felt like Whitney found every reason possible to make my daughter's special day difficult instead of enjoyable. Ironically, one of the hosts later apologized to me directly and even stated, "We really don't mind since there isn't another party." This completely contradicted what Whitney had been saying. First it was that another party was coming, then it changed to "custodial needs to come in." From the reservation process to the actual event, this was one of the worst party experiences I have ever had, and I deeply regret choosing this location for my daughter's birthday.

Two mini indoor soccer fields + a long atrium space of sorts = heaven for a little one. My 3 year…read moreold is psyched to go to her weekly Lil' Kickers class at My 1st Fieldhouse. There are all sorts of levels and classes here, for kids from 18 months to 9 years old. My daughter is encouraged and loves playing the games associated with teamwork, listening, and, of course, soccer skills. And she completely runs out all of her energy by the end of class. That allows me to totally win at nap time for the day. Extra props to Coach Blaize and Coach Hannah for all the energy and encouragement.

Change in ownership in fall 2017 has caused drastic decline. I'd recommend this place to NO ONE…read more Among the many issues... 1) classes are pure chaos 2) no coninuity of teachers...constant turnover 3) classes start late and end early 4) they charge you for holidays/no-class days unless you specifically ask for a credit 5) they rarely do anything that remotely resembles soccer! One class they only used the soccer balls 5 of 50 minutes!! 6) class distinctions mean nothing anymore...they lump all ages and skill levels. One class had 3 year olds with 8 year olds. Just dangerous! 7) coaches never correct misbehavior even if they are endangering themselves or others 8) owners kid wanders around saying mean things to all the participants 9) facility and equipment are not being maintained 10) need any more reasons to run screaming from this place???

I spent every day of my summer here as a child. This is an amazing club for families who want a…read moretennis, paddle, and pool club without the snobby feel of a country club. It's small, safe, and truly wonderful.

If you are new to the area and a big tennis and paddle fan join here first! I wish I would have…read morejoined here right when we moved to town. Great pool and tennis programs are the best in the area. Only negative is that there is no tennis in the winter months...you have to join a different club. They need to seriously think of putting a bubble up over the courts.

This cooperation is treated me tremendously.there is a vending machine and my overpriced. Oreos got…read morestuck in the vending machine. I went to the front desk and I wanted to get my money for my Oreos that they have scammed me to waste my last two dollars on because I do not have enough money for that I am broke if I'm going to be honest and I needed those to eat and this corporation out of pure greediness did not give me my money back they told me to call the number on the vending machine. I called him. They did not answer so I went up stairs to ask. They didn't even give me my money back and they told me to come back a different day, but that was supposed to be my food for this week I am a frequent customer and I come here and buy things from the vending machine and I spend money on sports and other things. I felt very disrespected. and I felt they had no respect for me even though I'm the machine there is a sticker that says they will refund me. They did not in fact refund me and they did not give me any money for my two dollar Oreos they are a big and wealthy corporation, but spending two dollars on somebody's Oreos that are their fault in. They are still getting their money because they are getting the money in the vending machine. so they stole my two dollars disrespected me and made me go hungry for this week. I am extremely disappointed with these greedy corporations. I actually do have a picture of the sticker.

I have taken advantage of the kickboxing classes, Zumba classes and indoor walking path. The prices…read moreare very reasonable and the class sizes are really small.