Friday, May 17, 2024 | View in browser
Good Afternoon,
Check out this week's Parks & Recreation e-news featuring information about the My City, Your City, Our City, summer camps, and more.
Relaunch of My City, Your City, Our City Safe Summer Initiative and Gun Violence Prevention Day
Join us in observing Violence Prevention Week from May 20-24. Partnering with the City’s Youth & Young Adult Division, District 65 has curated a set of lessons from the Sandy Hook Promise campaign, "Start with Hello," which addresses issues related to school violence, loneliness, and social isolation.
First Friday Kickoff: Mark your calendars for Gun Violence Prevention Day on June 7. Show your commitment by wearing orange and attending the kickoff event for the "City’s My City, Your City, Our City" Safe Summer Initiative at Mason Park, happening from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Stay informed by visiting the City's Safe Summer webpage for the latest updates on My City, Your City, Our City. View a message from community partners about youth safety and violence prevention.
Clark St. Beach received a fresh coat of paint
We added a splash of color to one of the lifeguard chairs. Big thanks to Parks and Rec staff members for making the beach a vibrant and inclusive space for everyone!
Noyes Spoken Word Open Mic-Word Salad
Bring your words, poems, lyrics, pieces of memoirs and novels to Word Salad at the Noyes Cultural Arts Center on Fri., May 17 at 7 p.m. This event is free and open to all ages.This is the Final Word Salad before our summer break-- we will be back in September!
Women's Martial Arts Shoutout
Congratulations to all the dedicated students of Connelly's Academy Martial Arts for Women class at the Levy Senior Center who have recently ascended to new heights by earning their new belts!
Fleetwood Jourdain Summer Open House
Join the Fleetwood Jourdain instructors and staff on Saturday, May 18th, for a summer program open house. Learn about all of our summer programs!
Pop-Up Play Forest
Join us this Saturday for a nature play pop-up program at the Harbert-Payne Park forest! Kids can make new friends, explore, build forts, climb, and play in nature with guidance from Ecology Center staff. By spending time with new friends in nature, kids can build a world of memories and a lifelong relationship with the natural world. Children need to be accompanied by a caregiver. To register for this program, please call the Ecology Center at 847-448-8256 or register online.
Resilience & Mental Illness with Major General Gregg F. Martin, USA(RET)
Join the Levy Senior Center and No Shame on U on Sun., May 19, at 6:15 p.m., for a program about resilience and mental Illness. Participate in a conversation with Major General Gregg F. Martin, USA (RET.) who is the author of Bipolar General: My Forever War with Mental Illness.
Major General Martin served on active duty in the Army for 36 years. He is a combat veteran, Airborne Ranger, engineer-qualified soldier, and army strategist. He is also a Bipolar Disorder survivor and on a mission to share his story to save lives and to stop the stigma of living with mental illness.
The event will begin with a Mental Health Activity Fair at 6:15 p.m. and the main program will begin at 7 p.m. Pre-registration is required.
Spring Colors Hike
Go on a nature hike at Lighthouse Beach, as we will capture snapshots of nature using water colors! Participants will get to make their own mini painting journal to use prior to the hike. We will be hiking throughout the dunes, the beach, and wooded areas, where participants will use watercolors to capture the colors of each scene. Hike will include a discussion of natural areas and the native flora and fauna of the area. Water colors and materials will be provided. To register for this program, please call the Ecology Center at 847-448-8256 or register online.
City Launches New Safety Programs at Evanston Swimming Beaches
The Evanston Parks and Recreation and Evanston Fire Departments have announced two new initiatives to promote water safety and ensure the well-being of beachgoers. Learn more about our new life jacket loaner program and swim flag system.
Martial Arts Class For Girls and Women
Come join this non-competitive program with focus on self-defense at the Levy Senior Center for women ages 12 and up who are interested in beginning Taekwon-do.
Wildflower Summer Camp (Ages 3-4 yrs)
Introduce your 3-4 yr olds to summer camp with Wildflower Camp! This preschool-aged camp includes daily nature exploration, crafts, critter visits, songs, and stories. Each two-week session meets Monday through Thursday and covers a different nature theme, as campers explore the wonders of water, the science of seeds, animal camouflage, the textures of nature, and more! To register for camp sessions, please call the Ecology Center at 847-448-8256 or register online.
Jamming Jean Concert-Midnight Sun
Join us Friday, June 14, 5 to 7 p.m., for a summer Jamming Jean concert with Chicago's iconic Midnight Sun, a musical powerhouse renowned for their remarkable precision and dedication to delivering the finest Funk and R&B tunes. Since their inception in 1976, they've become a cherished institution in the Chicago music scene.
The free concert takes place in James Park outside the Levy Senior Center. Enjoy dinner from the Azteca Cocina food truck, and be sure to bring a lawn chair for maximum comfort.
Starlight Concert and Movie Series
Evanston, get ready for an unforgettable summer filled with music, movies, and magic under the stars!
Introducing the 2024 Starlight Concert and Movie Series lineup, coming to parks across Evanston! We're thrilled to bring the excitement to your local park, with evenings packed full of live music and outdoor movie screenings that will make your summer shine brighter than ever! For all the latest updates and event details, visit cityofevanston.org/starlight.
Save the date for Saturday, June 1 as we kick off the fun with the movie "Wish" at 7 p.m. in Trahan Park.
Dempster St. Boat Launch Permits Now Available
Dempster Street Launch Facility is for the launching, retrieval and storage of non-motorized vessels, small sailboats (sunfish, laser, etc.), catamarans, windsurfing boards, canoes, stand up paddle boards and kayaks. Learn more.
Glow in the Park
On Fri., July 12 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., experience an evening filled with glowing surprises, music, and activities for all ages! Whether you're a glow-in-the-dark enthusiast or just looking for a fun night out, this event is for you!
Wear white and cover yourself with every color at the neon paint station. Then, snap a selfie in the black light photo booth and hit the dance floor to move to the beat while being splashed with even more neon paint. La Cocinita Evanston will be on-site serving delicious food to fuel this dance party! Tickets are required, purchase your ticket today!
Get Ready For Camp!
Introduce your toddler to the fun and friendships of summer camp! Get Ready For Camp is designed just for toddlers and their caregivers to begin learning classroom structure and activities. Our littlest campers will spend time on the Chandler Tot Lot where they will have access to bubbles, water tables, riding toys, balls, chalk and more in addition to the playground equipment. Instructors will lead group activities as well as facilitate pretend play alongside caregivers. To register, please call the Chandler Center at 847-448-8252 or register online.
Summer 2024 Program Guide
The online version of the Summer 2024 Program Guide is now available to view online. This digital-only issue provides a plethora of recreation programs, special events, and opportunities to stay active, healthy, and entertained this summer.
Help Support Evanston Beaches
Evanston's beaches are accessible to all community members without charge. We kindly request your support in preserving their charm and cleanliness by considering a donation. Your contribution will help us ensure that everyone can continue to relish these natural wonders. Donate online.
Dive into Community Engagement: Attend Parks and Recreation Community Meetings
Dive into community engagement. Attend our Parks and Recreation Committees and Board Meetings to share your ideas and shape the future of our recreational activities. Mark your calendar, participate, and let's build a stronger community together.
Share your skills and teach classes!
Our Parks & Recreation team invites individuals from diverse backgrounds to showcase their incredible talents. If you're a budding artist, fitness guru, cooking maestro, or tech wizard - we want you to share your unique talents with our vibrant community.
Join us in creating a tapestry of skills at our Parks & Recreation Centers. You can share your love for music and performing arts, visual arts and crafts, fitness and wellness, culinary delights, or technology and innovation.
We welcome all creative proposals and ideas that are not listed. Let's transform our community spaces into lively hubs of learning and fun. Your passion could be the spark that ignites new hobbies and friendships.
Submit your program proposal today and bring your unique talents and skills to our community.
Accessibility for all
The City of Evanston is committed to promoting a citywide culture of accessibility and inclusivity. To request an accommodation for a program, service, or activity, please call 847-866-2919 to make an ADA service request or complete a request form online.
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
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