Friday, June 7, 2024 | View in browser
Good Morning,
Check out this week's Parks & Recreation e-news featuring information about the South End Community Center open house, free movies and concerts, camp, classes, and more!
Coming soon! Join us on Saturday, June 22 for a sneak peek of our newest community center—South End Community Center, located at 430 Asbury Ave. The open house, which will take place from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., will feature gymnastics, critter visits, preschool tours, boccia demos, and open play. Keep watching our social media and newsletters for more details in the coming weeks.
We will be hosting sensory-friendly experiences from 9:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. and again from 3:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.
We're delighted to announce the return of the Youth Summer Food Service Program, which provides two free meals a day to kids aged 1- to 18-years old. Drop in to one of four locations for breakfast and lunch.
City Swimming Beaches Are Open
The City has announced that Evanston beaches are now open through Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 2. Stay safe! Please check the color of flags when visiting the beach or visit us online at cityofevanston.org/beach to learn more.
Enjoy some time on Lake Michigan by renting a paddleboard, kayak, or Barnett sailboat. Rentals are available in 45-minutes increments between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. daily, depending on weather conditions. You can also purchase a punch pass.
Make a reservation online or come to the Dempster St. Beach Office at 1251 Lake Shore Blvd. See you on the water!
Free Access to Fishing
This free program is a great way to introduce children aged 4 years and up to "catch-and-release" fishing. Equipment, bait, and fishing expertise are provided. You can drop by on Saturdays from June 1 through August 24 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Lovelace Park. Children under the age of 16 do not need a fishing license but must be accompanied by an adult. Illinois fishing licenses can be purchased at the park.
Blend science and recreation at the Lovelace Park pond tonight as we learn about the aquatic web of life! Participants will learn to fish and use a variety of tools for pond dipping, including macroinvertebrate nets, pipettes, and magnifying glasses to learn about the variety of animals that live in aquatic environments. To register for this program, please call the Ecology Center at 847-448-8256 or register online.
First Friday Kickoff: Mark your calendars for Gun Violence Prevention Day on Friday, 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.
 
 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 our website.
Save the date for the next couple of events in the series: Saturday, June 8 for the movie "Goonies" at 7 p.m. at Leah Lomar, and Tuesday, June 11 at 6:30 for the Feel Good Party Band at Mason Park.
Billions of cicadas are emerging in 2024 in a rare double-brood event! Why and how do these creatures make their trademark sounds? Join us around the Lighthouse Beach fire circle Saturday, June 8, as we explore the science of cicadas and search the Lighthouse habitats for these amazing creatures. Following this, we'll be reading a "Cicada Symphony" story and enjoying s’mores around the campfire. To register for this program, please call the Ecology Center at 847-448-8256 or register online.
Join us Friday, June 14, from 5 p.m. 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.
The Juneteenth celebration on June 15 includes a parade beginning at noon at the Robert Crown Community Center and ending at Ingraham Park. After the parade, the festivies will continue with music, art, food, and community activities at Ingraham Park until 4 p.m. (If you are marching in the parade, lineup starts at 10:30 a.m. at the Crown Center.)
"1619: The Journey of A People - A Musical" by Ted Williams III: From the beginning of American slavery to the Reconstruction, the Great Migration, the Civil Rights Era and modern movements for justice, 1619 packs generations of history into a beautiful musical theater experience that traces the African-American journey towards freedom and equality. Productions will take place on Saturdays at 7 p.m. and Sundays at 5:30 p.m. Visit fjtheatre.com to purchse tickets!
Come celebrate Father's Day weekend with a canoeing adventure on the North Shore Channel! Canoes, paddles, PFDs, and basic paddling instruction will be provided. Each boat will also have a river scavenger hunt provided, as we will look for signs of wildlife, including: herons, belted kingfishers, turtles, white-tailed deer, and more. Please dress for the weather. Children must be accompanied by an enrolled adult. To register for this program, please call the Ecology Center at (847) 448-8256 or register online.
Get ready for a delicious celebration at the 2024 Food Truck Fest! The festivities will kick off at 5:30 p.m. at Ingraham Park, located at 2100 Ridge Ave. Enjoy a diverse selection of food trucks offering everything from gourmet burgers to sweet treats. The movie "Barbie" (2023, ASL) begins at 6:30 p.m. Don't miss out on this tasty adventure!
 Come to Ingraham Park on Friday, July 12, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., to 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!
James Park Sports Camp
Team sports, field trips, beach days, individual accomplishments and tons of fun await your camper at Sports Camp! Guided by counselors, our sports camp will introduce participants to a variety of sports along with traditional camp and playground activities. Instruction and play are combined in each sport to encourage individual skill improvement and action in a non-pressuring and exciting atmosphere. Register today!
Introduce your 3- to 4- year 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.
In this camp, popular children’s games are combined with fun sports activities. Campers feel comfortable in a noncompetitive and supportive atmosphere as they learn new games and make new friends! Throughout camp we will encourage campers to improve their ability to play on a team and grow as individuals. Register for the fun!
In the mornings, we'll work on teamwork while playing a variety of sports at Mason Park. The afternoons will be packed with traditional aquatics camp fun. Campers will start at the Mason Park shelter to participate in sports activities, then be bused to Dempster Beach to join the afternoon session of the Aquatics Camp! Register to join the FUN!
Sign up today for one-week sessions of Beach Volleyball Camp at Clark Street Beach. Campers will learn the rules, fine-tune their skills, and pick up valuable strategy tips. Coaches will concentrate on the fundamentals of passing, setting, spiking, and learning to overhand serve in organized games. Campers will be divided by age and ability level. The sand adds a whole new dimension – are you ready? Sign up!
Catch, dribble, pass and shoot! This program will introduce your children to the game of basketball, whether they are beginners or want to develop their skills to get to the next level. Older kids will fine-tune their basketball skills by working on advanced skills. Drills of dribbling, passing, shooting, and defense will be taught. Sign up online today!
Mental health is just as important as physical health and we want to help you be the best you can be! The Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Center is happy to offer Morning Yoga. Give us a call for more information, or go online to sign up.
Line dancing is back at the Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Center! Our new instructor, Pat Bernard, is excited to meet and teach you the latest dances. Reserve your spot today!
Looking for a Martial Arts class for yourself or your child? The City wants to help you mark that item off of your to-do list! Muay Thai is a Martial Art and combat sport to help strengthen your mind and body. Sign up today!
Adult Basketball League
Did someone say adult basketball league? The wait is over! Call or go online today to reserve your spot on the team.
Looking for new ways to relax? Try Community Acupuncture! There are so many benefits and our instructor is ready to educate and demonstrate them for you. Sign up today
Summer 2024 Program Guide
The online version of the Summer 2024 Program Guide is now available for viewing. This digital-only issue provides a plethora of recreation programs, special events, and opportunities to stay active, healthy, and entertained this summer.
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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