Friday, July 5, 2024 | View in browser
Good Morning,
Check out this week's Parks & Recreation e-news featuring information about free movies and concerts, camps, classes, and more!
 Nature Tots & Tunes: July 11
Join the Ecology Center, Evanston Public Library, and Evanston Early Childhood Council in exploring parks throughout Evanston, as we meet live animals, read nature stories, make crafts, sing along to music, and enjoy nature in the parks through free play activities. Each program will have a different nature theme.
Our next event is on July 11 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Lovelace Park, Gross Point Rd &, Thayer St.
Families are encouraged to bring a blanket and food for these evening hangouts throughout the summer. This series is recommended for children ages 8 and under. For more information or to register for this free program, please call the Ecology Center at (847) 448-8256 or register online.
 Glow in the Park: July 12
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!
 Unplug IL Day: July 13
Unplug from electronics and get to know Evanston's most amazing natural sites, as we kick off Unplug IL Day! Each nature site will have free guided or self-guided activities for you to complete, as you try to collect all 6 nature stamps on your passport along the way. Free activities will include fishing, birding, scavenger hunts, plant identification hikes, and more!
Find more information on how you can participate in the Evanston Nature Passport program online or call the Ecology Center at (847) 448-8256. Register online with the Ecology Center to reserve your free Nature Passport and for more information on opportunities to explore nature in Evanston this summer
National Night Out: August 6
We’re excited to invite you to our community’s National Night Out event on August 6! National Night Out is a fantastic opportunity to meet your neighbors, strengthen community bond s, and promote safety and awareness in our neighborhood. Here’s what you can look forward to:
- Fun Activities for Kids & Adults
- Movie Night (begins 6pm) & Entertainment
- Meet Local Police Officers
- Face Painting
- Food Trucks
This is a family-friendly event, so bring your kids, friends, and neighbors for a night of fun and community spirit. Let’s make our neighborhood a safer, happier place together!
Location: Centennial Park, 1631 Sheridan Rd.Time: 4-9 PM
 Starlight Concert & Movie Series
Evanston's 2024 Starlight Concert & Movie Series features nine free outdoor concerts and 11 free outdoor movies at park locations throughout the summer. Community members will enjoy a range of talented artists and musical genres, from jazz to classic soul, to Southern rock and blues. The concert and movie schedule is available at cityofevanston.org/starlight.
Book an Ecology Center birthday party at Evanston's new South End Community Center starting July 14. Rental includes a 2-hour party featuring an instructor-led program, critter visits and lots of birthday fun! Schedule at party by calling 847-448-8256.
City Swimming Beaches Are Open
Dempster St. Beach Watercraft Rentals
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Make a reservation online for a kayak, sailboat or paddleboard or at the Dempster St. Beach Office at 1251 Lake Shore Blvd.
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Beach Concession Stands Now Open
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Stop by Clark Street beach and Dempster Street beach concession stands for a refreshing treat throughout the summer. |
Free Meals for Youth: Summer Food Service Program
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The City's Summer Food Program provides free cold breakfasts and lunches, Monday through Friday, to ages 1 to 18 at multiple locations. |
Farmer's Market
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The Downtown Evanston Outdoor Farmers' Market is open Saturdays from 7:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. thru November 2 at University Avenue at Oak Street. Learn more. |
Free Access to Fishing
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This free program is open thru August from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Lovelace Park. Program includes equipment and bait. Children under the 16 don't need a fishing license but must be accompanied by an adult. Fishing licenses can be purchased online. |
Summer 2024 Program Guide
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The online version of the Summer 2024 Program Guide is now available.
This digital-only issue showcase a wealth of recreation programs, special events, and opportunities to stay active, healthy, and entertained this summer.
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Beginning Gymnastics Camp
Beginning Gymnastics Camp is a 1-week camp for ages 5-7 that introduces skills and drills that are fun, safe, and understandable for campers of varying backgrounds. Camp is structured to start training and perfecting basic skills on bars, beam, floor, and vault. This camp is appropriate for students in Beginning I, Beginning II, Tumbling I, or with no prior experience - campers will be grouped by age and gymnastics experience. The camp is held at the Chandler-Newberger Community Center. Camps are held through August. Register 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!
Pee Wee Sports Camp
In this camp for ages 4 - 6 at Leahy Park, 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. Next camp begins on July 1. Register for the fun!
Sports & Aquatic Camp
The Sports and Aquatic Camp for ages 12 to 13 meets in the mornings to play 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. Next camp starts on July 1. Register to join the FUN!
Beach Volleyball Camp
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!
Basketball 101 & 201 Camp
Catch, dribble, pass and shoot at Currey Park! 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!
Community Accupunture
Looking for new ways to relax? Try Community Acupuncture at the Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Center. There are so many benefits and our instructor is ready to educate and demonstrate them for you. Sign up today
Canoe the Canal
Come celebrate 4th of July week 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. Please dress for the weather. Any children need to be accompanied by an enrolled adult. To register for this program, please call the Ecology Center at (847) 448-8256 or register online.
 Now Hiring Gymnastics Coaches and Instructors!
The City of Evanston has a variety of gymnastic positions available. Apply online. 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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