Highland Parks and Recreation

What Highland Parks and Recreation does

Highland Parks and Recreation is a municipal parks and recreation department of the Town of Highland, Indiana, serving the local community through an integrated portfolio of facilities, programs, and rental services. The department operates the Lincoln Center at 2450 Lincoln Street, which houses a fieldhouse (open gym, walking track, basketball, volleyball, pickleball courts), a membership-based Fitness Center with cardio and strength equipment, banquet halls and classrooms for events, and several parks including Sheppard, Markley, Homestead, and Meadows with rentable shelters, plus the Sharp Athletic Complex and Main Square Gazebo. The organization is staffed by 13 employees under a leadership team of Superintendent Mindi Ray, Recreation Director Alyce Van Drunen, Recreation Supervisor Cole Linkiewicz, and Park Director Trever Kinley.

Programmatic offerings span youth and adult sports leagues (basketball, soccer, softball, baseball, track and field, e-sports via GG Leagues, wrestling), fitness classes (yoga, Zumba, aerobics, cycling), arts programming (canvas painting, Highland Dance Academy, Young Rembrandts), summer day camps, senior wellness programs, and special-needs recreation through CSRI. Signature events include the Pumpkin Plod 10K/5K (since 1976, 1,200+ participants) and the All-American Mile Run (since 1984). The department also maintains partnerships with Munster Parks for dog park and swimming pool access, accepts third-party fitness benefits (Gympass, SilverSneakers, Renew Active, Active & Fit, Prime), and sells business sponsorships starting at $900 for three-year banner placements.

Revenue is generated through a mix of subscription-based Fitness Center memberships ($180-$336 annual, with student/senior/military discounts), transaction-based facility and park rentals, program registration fees, sponsorships, and pass-through fees for Munster benefits, supplemented by municipal tax funding. Registration is delivered through an online portal (web1.myvscloud.com), in-person at the Recreation Office, and via mail, with marketing distributed through the highlandparks.org website, email newsletter, seasonal brochure, Google Calendar exports, and Facebook/X social channels. The operating footprint is restricted to Highland, Indiana, with select inter-municipal benefits extending into Munster.

Name

Highland Parks and Recreation

Legal name

Highland Parks and Recreation Department

Website

https://highlandparks.org

Company type

Public

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Highland Parks and Recreation is the municipal parks and recreation department of the Town of Highland, Indiana, operating the Lincoln Center (fieldhouse, fitness center, banquet halls), multiple parks, and recreational programs serving residents and non-residents through memberships, rentals, and program fees.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Municipal Parks and Recreation Services

NAICS

Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers (713940), Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation (71)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services (BPAIACAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Multi-Sport Complexes & Community Sports Parks (MPAKAEAH), Parks, Recreation & Protected Areas Administration (BPAIAMAH)

Keywords

• Municipal recreation services
• Community fitness facilities
• Youth sports leagues
• Park shelter rentals
• Recreation program registration

Headquarters

HQ city

Highland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Facility Memberships: Fitness Center memberships sold at various tiers (daily, monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, annual) for residents and non-residents, with discounted rates for students, seniors 65+, and military. Family annual packages also available.
2. Facility Rentals: Rental revenue from fieldhouse courts, walking track (free), room/classroom rentals, banquet hall rentals, park shelters, ball fields, and walking track access.
3. Program Registration Fees: Fees charged for youth sports leagues, youth basketball, middle school basketball, youth track and field, fishing derbies, canvas paint workshops, summer camp, and various other recreation programs.
4. Sponsorships: Business sponsorship opportunities providing recognition across digital and print marketing materials, exposure at community events, social media inclusion, and tiered logo placement on banners, flyers, and event shirts. A 5x5 banner sponsorship is offered at $900 for three years.
5. Park and Shelter Rentals: Park shelter rentals ranging from $150-$400 depending on location and residency status, with Main Square Gazebo rentals at $100-$200.
6. Munster Benefits Program: Highland residents access Munster amenities including dog park memberships ($50-$110) and swimming pool season passes ($95-$335) at resident rates, with Highland Parks & Rec facilitating access.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Highland Parks and Recreation operates municipal recreation facilities and programs through the Lincoln Community Center (Fieldhouse, Fitness Center, banquet/meeting rooms), multiple parks with shelters, and Sharp Athletic Complex. The department sells fitness center memberships, facility and park shelter rentals, youth and adult sports league registrations, fitness and arts classes, summer camps, senior programs, special events, and venue rentals to Highland, Indiana residents and non-residents. Sponsorship packages and inter-municipal benefits with Munster Parks extend the offering to local businesses and cross-boundary residents.

Product overview

Highland Parks and Recreation operates as a community parks and recreation department offering a portfolio of facilities, programs, and rental services. The core offering centers on the Lincoln Community Center, which houses the Fieldhouse (for open gym, basketball, volleyball, pickleball, and walking track), Fitness Center (cardio/strength equipment and personal training), and banquet/meeting rooms. Additional facilities include multiple parks with shelters (Sheppard Park, Markley Park, Homestead Park, Meadows Park), the Main Square Gazebo, and Sharp Athletic Complex. The recreation programs span youth sports leagues (basketball, soccer, track & field), adult sports (softball, volleyball, table tennis, pickleball), arts classes (canvas painting, dance), fitness classes (Zumba, yoga, aerobics, cycling), summer camps, senior programs, and special events. The organization also provides room and facility rentals, sponsorships, and maintains partnerships with Munster for dog park, swimming pool, and golf benefits for Highland residents.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Fieldhouse Indoor athletic facility featuring open gym, free walking track, and court rentals for basketball, volleyball, and pickleball. Free for Highland residents and active military; non-residents pay per visit.
• Fitness Center Fitness facility offering cardio equipment, strength training machines, free weights, lockers, showers, and personal training. Membership-based with daily, monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, and annual tiers for residents, non-residents, students, seniors 65+, and military.
• Parks and Shelters Parks and outdoor shelter rentals including Sheppard Park, Markley Park, Homestead Park, and Meadows Park, each with shelters, washrooms, and drinking fountains for picnics and events.
• Rooms and Banquet Halls Venue rentals including the Banquet Hall (up to 256 occupants) and single/double classrooms at the Lincoln Center, suitable for showers, meetings, banquets, receptions, corporate events, and celebrations; alcohol permitted in the Banquet Hall.
• Special Events Special community events including fishing derbies, pickleball day of play, movies in the park, blood drives, canvas paint workshops, safety classes, and seasonal festivals.
• Recreation Programs Comprehensive recreation programs including youth sports leagues (basketball, soccer, track & field), adult sports (softball, volleyball, pickleball), fitness classes (Zumba, yoga, aerobics, cycling), arts classes (canvas painting, dance), senior programs, summer camps, and special events.
• Highland Dance Academy Dance academy offering classes in ballet, jazz, lyrical, hip hop, and musical theater for children, with semesterly classes culminating in a seasonal showcase.
• Races Annual races including the All-American Mile Run (held before the Highland Twilight Independence Day Parade) and the Pumpkin Plod 10K/5K (USATF-certified Thanksgiving Day race regularly attracting over 1,200 participants).
• Summer Camp Summer day camp for ages 5-12 held at Lincoln Community Center, Monday through Friday from 8:30am-5:00pm with pre-camp starting at 7:00am.
• Sponsorship / Donations Sponsorship opportunities for businesses to promote their brand while supporting community events and programs, with tiered recognition benefits including digital marketing, event presence, and banner placement (5x5 banner at $900 for three years).
• Dog Park Membership (Munster) Dog park access at Centennial Park in Munster for Highland/Munster residents, featuring a fenced-in area, dog-sized drinking fountains, and dog playground. Annual membership-based pricing per dog.
• Swimming Pool Season Pass (Munster) Swimming pool season passes for Highland residents at Munster's community pool, with early bird and post-May 8 pricing tiers for individuals, 2-person, 3-person, 4-person households, additional persons, and childcare providers.
• Online Registration System Online registration and payment portal allowing customers with valid email addresses on file to register and pay by credit card for fitness classes, sports leagues, education programs, special events, and facility reservations.
• Ball Field Rentals (Sharp Athletic Complex) Ball field rentals at Sharp Athletic Complex on a 2-hour or full-day basis with optional lights, available to leagues, teams, and event organizers.
• Co-Rec High School Pickleball League New co-rec high school pickleball league launched in fall 2025, offering 8 weeks of Thursday night competition at the Lincoln Center Fieldhouse for high school students. Teams of 2-4 players, $100 per team.

Named customers1 record

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Third-Party InstructorsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndividual instructors partner with HPRD to deliver specialized programming such as dance classes, art workshops, martial arts, and Spanish lessons. Instructors submit proposals for HPRD evaluation and consideration through a recreation program proposal form.
• Munster ParksminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHighland residents receive access to Munster amenities including the dog park (Centennial Park) and community pool at resident rates through an inter-municipal benefit agreement. Call Munster Parks at 219-836-7275 for more information.
• CSRI (Community Services for the Retarded)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCSRI provides recreational opportunities for individuals of all ages with special needs and abilities. By working together toward a common goal, they provide more events to a larger amount of people than any one agency alone.
• Youth Sports OrganizationscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMultiple youth sports organizations operate through HPRD facilities: Highland Babe Ruth Baseball, Highland Girls Travel Basketball, Highland Hurricanes Swim Club, Highland Pop Warner, Highland Youth Soccer Club, Highland Girls Softball, Highland Little League Baseball, Highland Biddy Basketball, and Wrestling Club. These organizations are listed on HPRD's Youth Sports Groups page.
• Soccer ShotsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSoccer Shots is an engaging program focused on character development that impacts lives on and off the field through best-in-class coaching, curriculum, and communication.
• American Red CrossminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMonthly blood drives held at Lincoln Community Center Banquet Hall, typically on the first Tuesday of each month from 12:30-5:30pm. Donation eligibility: age 18+, minimum 110 lbs, good general health.
• Highland High SchoolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouth Track & Field program typically held at Highland High School on Wednesdays throughout the summer. Also referenced for race start location for All-American Mile Run.
• HGS MusicminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHGS Music provides Rock & Roll for the Tiny Soul classes for babies, toddlers, and children to experience with a caregiver, focusing on singing, lap bounces, finger plays, and simple instrument play.
• Young RembrandtsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerElementary-age curriculum designed to teach basic to advanced drawing skills, art techniques, and vocabulary. Program believes all children can and should learn to draw.
• Fitness Membership Program PartnersminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHPRD Fitness Center accepts multiple fitness membership program benefits including Gympass, Renew Active (UnitedHealthcare), SilverSneakers, Silver & Fit, Active & Fit, and Prime Member benefits, allowing members with these plans to use the facility.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Crown Point Parks and Recreation: Regional Indiana municipality parks department; comparable mid-size municipal model in the same Northwest Indiana region.
• Hammond Parks and Recreation: Larger Lake County, Indiana city parks department with fieldhouses, sports leagues, and recreation programming; benchmarks to scale operations and program breadth.
• Town of Griffith Parks Department: Small Indiana town parks operator with similar service portfolio of field rentals, league programming, and community events.
• Schererville Parks Department: Nearby Lake County, Indiana municipal parks operator offering facilities, leagues, and programming similar to HPRD within the same competitive catchment.

Direct peers

• Munster Parks & Recreation: Adjacent Indiana municipality operating an almost identical parks and recreation department portfolio (dog park, pool, programming). Direct collaboration partner for the Munster benefits program, making it the closest operational peer.

Others

• Indiana Parks and Recreation Association: State-level membership body for Indiana parks and recreation departments. Adjacent enabling peer providing training, certification, and legislative advocacy to municipal operators like HPRD.
• National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA): Industry association for U.S. parks and recreation agencies. Acts as an ecosystem/benchmarking peer for municipal recreation operations like HPRD.

Broad incumbents

• YMCA of Northwest Indiana: Multi-branch nonprofit operator of fitness centers, youth sports, swim, and community programming in Northwest Indiana - comparable membership-driven recreation model but broader regional footprint and nonprofit governance.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Highland_Parks
• Facebookfacebook.com/HighlandParks
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/highland-parks-and-recreation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Highland Parks and Recreation