Lake Forest residents can sign up for recreation programs, camps and fitness classes from their phones after the city's parks department released a free mobile app on Thursday, Sept. 10.

The LF Rec app, available on both Apple and Android devices, adds a mobile option to a registration system that the department's own website noted works best on desktop computers. The app is meant to address that gap.

The app handles more than registration. According to its App Store listing, users can browse facility hours and directions for parks, fields and community centers. An event calendar tracks upcoming festivals and recreation programs. Push notifications alert users to closures, registration deadlines and schedule changes.

The app also handles account management. Families can track registrations, make payments and manage household accounts without logging in through a browser.

Programs available through the app span camps, classes, athletics, fitness, arts, sailing, dance and preschool offerings through Kinderhaven Preschool Academy, Lake Forest Dance Academy and other department programs.

Lake Bluff and Mettawa residents qualify for the same resident rates as Lake Forest residents across athletics, the Fitness Center, Stirling Hall Arts Center, Kinderhaven, Lake Forest Dance Academy, Lake Forest Sailing and Deerpath Golf Course. Non-residents pay a 20% surcharge.

iPhone and iPad users can download the app from the Apple App Store. Android users can find it on Google Play. Both versions are free.