Your Registration Experience Transformed!

9/25/24 – Your Registration Experience Transformed!

In recent years, community interest in our programs has grown exponentially, resulting in higher traffic volume and strain on our Registration Site. Despite our efforts to increase server capacities and manage traffic flow, the system crashed on February 6 during Summer Camp registration. Determined to prevent this from happening again, the Park District committed to ensuring a seamless registration process.

Rebounding from the crash, we sought a permanent solution that could be up, running and tested before the rescheduled Summer Camp registration dates. Within two weeks, we migrated all program data from local servers to the cloud, and enabled a Virtual Lobby feature to balance traffic when visitor activity is at its peak.

During the first cloud-based registration day, the Virtual Lobby was activated ten minutes before registration opened. As traffic increased, we watched with bated breath, and we were able to exhale in relief when the Lobby functioned seamlessly. The new system received positive feedback from the community, who appreciated the smooth process. But our work wasn’t finished – with the technical difficulties addressed, we turned our attention to the user experience.

We partnered with Public Communications Inc. consultants to create a community survey about the registration process and followed up with discussion groups. Participants provided great insight into how they plan for registration day, navigate the Registration Site and preferences for the seasonal registration periods.

Using the feedback, we enhanced the Registration Site to address key frustrations. These included improved navigation on the Site’s home page, refined search options and filters and an updated look and feel. We also introduced a new Wishlist feature, allowing patrons to save their favorite programs and easily add them to their shopping cart when registration opens. After multiple rounds of internal review and revision, we shared these Site changes with April’s discussion group participants for their input. Following a few refinements, we activated the new Site for Late Fall registration!

To further assist registrants, we created a Registration Information web page, which includes information on browsing and registering for programs, the Wishlist feature, the Virtual Lobby and cancellation/refund policies.

We’re committed to offering the best experience possible while registering for activities and events. We welcome your continued feedback and look forward to growing with you!