Highland Park’s Park Board fills vacant seat

A Highland Park resident and president of the Parks Foundation of Highland Park has been appointed to the city’s Park District’s Board of Commissioners.

Rafael Labrador was appointed by the Park District’s Board of Commissioners during its Aug. 21 meeting to fill the seat of longtime commissioner Brian Kaplan, who resigned earlier this year. He will serve until May 2025 and is eligible to run for a two-year or six-year term in the next election — April 2025.

Labrador has been foundation president since 2015. He is in biotech marketing and has worked for AbbVie since 2015, according to a release from the park district.

“I fell in love with the parks and recreation opportunities here in Highland Park,” Labrador said in a statement. “I appreciate the diversity of backgrounds, experiences, and culture in our North Shore communities.”

During his time as president of the Parks Foundation, the organization reportedly has raised more than $100,000 for scholarships for Highland Park and Highwood families in need.

“I am proud to have been a part of the foundation which contributed financial resources to the long-awaited Park Avenue Breakwater and Boat Ramp renovations, building Jeff Fox Field, and installing the beautiful Sunset Wood Park rocket ship playground seating plaza,” Labrador said. “And we’re all excited about the new indoor state of the art pickleball and padel facility which is scheduled to open in early 2025.”

Labrador sits on the park district’s Efficiency Committee, during which time he reportedly studied the district’s governing statutes, ordinances, rules, procedures, powers, jurisdiction and inter relationships with other governmental units.

“Rafael has been an important and engaged member of the community and the Park District for many years,” said Cal Bernstein, president of the Park Board of Commissioners, in a statement. “We are thrilled that he has accepted the additional responsibilities that come with being a Park Commissioner, and we look forward to benefiting from his knowledge and expertise.”

The Record is a nonprofit, nonpartisan community newsroom that relies on reader support to fuel its independent local journalism.

Subscribe to The Record to fund responsible news coverage for your community.

Already a subscriber? You can make a tax-deductible donation at any time.