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Recreation Programming FAQs

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1. How do I know if I am a resident of the City of Woodstock?

The Recreation Department is funded by City of Woodstock taxpayers. This subsidy is supported from the general corporate (real estate) tax and is the basis for our Resident/Non-Resident fee structure. The distinction is based on your place of RESIDENCE and whether or not it is within corporate city limits. (A general rule-if you pay a City of Woodstock water bill, you are a resident.)  If you are unsure whether you live within the corporate city limits.  Contact us at 815-338-4363 for assistance. 

2. How do I know if I am registered for a class?

For online registration, a receipt will be emailed to you. Please make sure you have received a receipt from the Woodstock Recreation Department, otherwise there may be a problem with your registration. 

For walk-in registrations, you will receive a receipt upon registration.

3. What if a class has met the maximum number of participants?

Sign up for the waitlist! We make every attempt to add classes, when possible. There is no fee and we can only add classes if we know there is enough interest.

4. Where do I find my username and password for online registration?

Call the Recreation Department staff at 815-338-4363 and we can send out an email with your username.

5. How do I add or change my information online?

Once your household is set up, you will be unable to make changes online. Please make sure to add all family members and complete information on each person (birthday, grade) when registering for the first time. To make changes on an existing account please contact us at 815-338-4363. It is important to keep your info updated with us, as some programs may require a grade to register.

6. What are the Woodstock Recreation Center/Department hours?

Recreation Center hours are Monday-Friday, 5:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Saturday and Sunday 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM

7. Does Woodstock have park district?

Woodstock does not have a park district (a separate taxing body).  

The Recreation Department is funded by the City of Woodstock taxpayers. This subsidy is supported from the general corporate (real estate) tax and is the basis for our Resident, Non-Resident fee structure. The distinction is based on your place of residence and whether or not it is within the corporate city limits. If you are unsure whether you live within the corporate city limits, call us and we will let you know. The City of Woodstock reserves the right to ask for verification of residence. Woodstock Recreation Department is a department of the City of Woodstock and is not a park district (separate taxing body).

8. How do I obtain a copy of the most recent program brochure?

Information about the facilities and programs is published three times a year in the Woodstock City Scene (View Here).  The brochure is mailed to all postal customers in the 60098 zip code and postal customers in West Wonder Lake, 60097 zip code. If you are not in the 60098 zip code please stop by the Woodstock Recreation Center (820 Lake Ave.), Woodstock City Hall (121 W. Calhoun St.) or the Woodstock Public Library (414 Judd St.) to pick one up.  The brochure and additional information about the facilities and programs is available on this website.

9. Will I receive a confirmation of my registration?

When utilizing the online registration system, after enrolling in a class view/print your confirmation page to verify your confirmation number. If you do not receive a confirmation receipt, be sure to contact the Recreation Department by choosing “Contact Us” on our home page or calling 815.338.4363.  Staff can then verify that your enrollment was processed correctly. This will prevent any questions when class begins.

10. What are your refund policies?

If we do not meet the minimum enrollment for a program and must cancel it, we will notify you and issue a full refund.
All refunds, when requested by the participant prior to the start of the program, will be assessed a $5.00 processing fee to help offset the processing costs.

There are no refunds once a program has begun, two weeks prior to a bus trip, for Woodstock Water Works season pool passes, or for Woodstock Recreation Center memberships.

11. Is there financial assistance available for individuals in need to pay for recreation activities?

The Recreation Department has financial assistance available for individuals and families who reside within Woodstock Corporate City Limits with low incomes in the form of a discount on Recreation Department programs and Woodstock Water Works passes.

Limited financial assistance is available for individuals and families who reside outside of the Woodstock city limits, as well as Recreation Center memberships for individuals 14-21 years old.

Applications are required plus proof of residency and income verification.  For complete details and financial aid guidelines contact Mary Lynn Lisk at the Recreation Department, 815-338-4363 or mlisk@woodstockil.gov.  

12. Who organizes youth swimming, baseball, basketball, cheer, football, soccer and softball for the Woodstock area?

For Youth Fitness & Sports, view here. 

For Adult Programs & Leagues, view here. 

13. If I want to suggest a class for the Recreation Department to offer, or if I want to teach a specific class, how do I go about doing this?

The Woodstock Recreation Department is continually searching for talented individuals to instruct classes in all areas. You may either call the Recreation Department at 815-338-4363 and ask to speak to the Program Manager in charge of your area of interest, or email the supervisor. For staff information, visit here. 

14. How do I know if classes are cancelled?

If a class is cancelled we will contact the participant or if the participant is a child, the parent/guardian by email, text or by phone. It is important to keep all your contact information up to date and correct. We also will post any cancellations on our Facebook page. The Facebook feed is on the bottom half of our website, woodstockrecreationdepartment.com, so you can check there also.

15. Are there any current job opportunities available in the Recreation Department?

Please view employment opportunities here. A job interest card can be submitted if there are not positions available at that time.

16. I have a great photo from a Recreation Department program. Can you use it?

Yes! We would love to see it and possibly use it in upcoming publications. Contact Becky Vidales at 815-338-4363 or bvidales@woodstockil.gov.  Submit photos of yourself, your family, or of a general activity taking place within a Woodstock Recreation Department program, special event, park or facility.  

By submitting photos to the City of Woodstock Recreation Department, you are giving your permission for publication.  Photos become the property of the City of Woodstock. The Woodstock Recreation Department uses pictures of participants to publicize recreation opportunities.

17. Photo Policy

Participants or their parents (if participant is under 18) permit the taking of photos, audio & videotapes during Recreation Department activities for publication and use as the City of Woodstock deems necessary.