Friday, June 30  |  View in browser

Good morning,

As a reminder, all Evanston community centers will be closed on Tues., July 4, in observance of Independence Day.

Sunset Paddle

Join the Ecology Center tonight, Fri., June 30 for the summer Sunset Paddle! Sunset is one of the most peaceful times to canoe and one of the best times to see wildlife around Evanston. Paddling at sunset offers a rare perspective into the natural world, as many creatures become more active in the evening. We will practice paddling techniques before heading out to see signs of wildlife along the channel. To register for this program, please call the Ecology Center at 847-448-8256 or register online.

Lakefront July 4 Schedule

Due to the fireworks show, Clark Street Beach will be closed on Tues., July 4 and the Dog Beach will only be open from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. All traffic to the Church Street Boat Launch will be closed beginning at 2 p.m. All other Evanston beaches will be open for swimming on July 4 from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Fireworks will take place approximately at 9:30 p.m.

Canoe the Canal

Celebrate the 4th of July weekend with a canoe trip on the North Shore Channel! Canoes, paddles, PFDs, and paddling instruction will be provided. Each boat will also have a river scavenger hunt, as we will work together to look for signs of wildlife. No canoeing experience is necessary. Children must to be accompanied by an enrolled adult. To register for this program, please call the Ecology Center at 847-448-8256 or register online.

July is Parks and Recreation Month

The City is celebrating Parks and Recreation Month this July by celebrating the vital role parks and recreation professionals play in bringing people together, providing essential services and fostering the growth of our community.

Free meals for Evanston youth

The City provides free cold breakfasts and lunches to youth ages 1 to 18 years old at five locations throughout Evanston as part of (fix spacing) its Summer Food Program. The program runs through August 11.

Free meals are available to all youth daily, Monday through Friday, on a first-come, first-served basis. Breakfast is served from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. and lunch is served from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. View the menus for breakfast and lunch.

There are no residency or income-based restrictions to participate in the program. All meals must be eaten on-site and guardians must accompany young children.

Meal site locations (June 12 - August 11)

• Dewey Elementary School, 1551 Wesley Ave.

• Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Center, 1655 Foster St.

• Mason Park Field House, 1600 Florence Ave.

• Robert Crown Community Center, 1801 Main St.

Three additional sites have been added between June 20 and July 28, including Kingsley Elementary School (2300 Green Bay Rd.), Haven Middle School (2417 Prairie Ave.), and Oakton Elementary School (436 Ridge Ave.).

The Summer Food Service Program is funded by a grant from the Illinois State Board of Education. 

For more information, visit cityofevanston.org/summerfood

The next Starlight Concert is July 6

Featuring nine free concerts at park locations throughout the city, the Starlight Concert Series is back to bring you outdoor music on Tuesday nights through August 8. 

Up next on the big stage: Head to Kamen Park on Thursday, July 6 at 7 p.m. for the next Starlight Concert of the season! Bring your lawn chairs and blankets out to enjoy music by Windy City Ramblers.

View the complete Starlight Concert schedule.

Community First Fridays

Stop by Mason Park on Fri., July 7 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. for the City's next First Friday event, as a part of the "My City, Your City, Our City" Initiative. Enjoy free food, movies, an obstacle course, games, and more!

July Science with Seniors

Each month, graduate students from Northwestern University visit the Levy Senior Center to discuss different science topics. This month, they will be discussing the topics of Artifical Intelligence on Thurs., July 13 from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Registration is required by calling the Levy front desk at 847-448-8250.

Nature Tots & Tunes

Next stop, Mason Park! Join the Ecology Center and Evanston Public Library at parks throughout the summer as we meet live animals, sing along to music, read stories, and enjoy nature in the parks through free play activities. Families are encouraged to bring a blanket and food for an evening hangout. This program is recommended for children ages 8 and under. For more information, please call the Ecology Center at 847-448-8256 or register online for this free program.

Dempster Street Boat Launch Lessons & Rentals

Dempster Street Boat Launch Lessons & Rentals have begun! Have you ever wanted to learn to sail or take a kayak for a spin on Lake Michigan? Call the Dempster Street Beach Office at 847-869-6572 to sign up.

Unplug IL Day (July 15, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.)

Get to know Evanston's most amazing natural sites, as we celebrate Unplug IL Day with "the Great Evanston Nature Walk"! Participants will receive a map of Evanston's natural areas to visit. Each natural site will have fun nature activities led by Ecology Center staff and natural area stewards. Free activities will include fishing, birding, scavenger hunts, plant identification hikes, and more! For each natural area that participants visit and check-in, they will be entered into a raffle for the chance to win a kayak, camping tent, and other fun prizes! For more information, please call the Ecology Center at 847-448-8256. To register for the event and to receive your Evanston nature map, register online.

Early Childhood Camps at Chandler-Newberger

Each one-week camp will focus on a specific topic, but will also include music and movement, free play, and large motor skill development activities. Register now!

Check out the Summer Program Guide

Check out our Summer Program Guide for a list of activities and register for your favorites online!

Comedy Camps at Ackerman Park

With coaching from an experienced comedian, campers will learn the basics of improvisation through fun mind games and interactive play. Campers will gain valuable communication and team working skills as they learn to listen and think creatively. At the end of the session, campers will produce and star in their very own improv comedy show! Register today!

Free Access to Fishing

Free Access to Fishing is back at Lovelace Park! Join the Ecology Center staff for this popular, free program on Saturday mornings throughout the summer. This is a great way to introduce children to catch-and-release fishing. Equipment, bait, and fishing advice will be provided but feel free to bring your own fishing equipment or bait and we can teach you how to use it. Children under the age of 16 don't need a fishing license but must be accompanied by an adult. For participants 16 yrs or older, Illinois fishing licenses are required and can be purchased online. For more information, please call the Ecology Center at 847-448-8256.

Snapology Summer Camps

Develop your coding and building skills. Enjoy creative building challenges based on new themes each week! Register now!

IncrediFlix Summer Camps

Discover your filmmaking talents in this fast paced camp at Chandler-Newberger Community Center! You don’t have to be an actor to take part, as we'll guide you through the Hollywood process to create, direct, Bilm, act, and more. Register today!

Farmers Market Transportation for Seniors

Do you want to go to the Farmer's Market but don't have a way to get there and back? Did you know that you can double your link card when you buy vegetables and fruit from the market as the market does matching funds for fruits and veggies?

The Levy Senior Center has your solution! Call the front desk at 847-448-8250 the Friday before you would like to go between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. for pickups on the following Saturdays:  July 8 and July 22. The pickup times will start at 8 a.m. to take you to the market.

Disco in the Park

Put on your boogie shoes and hustle on over to the Levy Senior Center on Fri., Aug. 11 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. for a night you won’t forget. Take a walk down memory lane and enjoy the best of 70’s music from our local DJ.

Greenwood Beach ArtPost 

Share your art with the Evanston community at the Greenwood Beach ArtPost sponsored by the Evanston RoundTable. Learn more.

Facility Locations and Phone Numbers

Chandler-Newberger Community Center: 847-448-8252
Levy Senior Center: 847-448-8250
Robert Crown Community Center: 847-448-8258
Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Center: 847-448-8254
Ecology Center: 847-448-8256

Thanks for reading.

Have a great weekend,

The City of Evanston’s Parks and Recreation Team