Friday, Oct. 4, 2024 | View in browser
Good Morning,
Check out this week's Parks & Recreation e-news featuring information about Halloween fun, family campfires, school days off programs, and more.
 Fall Program Registration Open!
Registration for our Fall programs is open for Evanston residents and non-residents. Check out our program lineup in the Fall guide and register.
Thanks to everyone who made our Nature Passport event such a success! Linnie, pictured above, was one of our winners. According to Linnie's mom, "Nature Passport is such an excellent program. We had the most amazing time exploring parts of Evanston's nature we had never seen. My daughter's favorite thing was the mindfulness map. She loved it so much that she wanted to do one at every location and asks to 'do mindfulness' all the time when we are somewhere really beautiful."
The Parks and Recreation's Ecology Team offers a wealth of nature-related activities throughout the year. Check out upcoming classes and events in the Ecology section of our Fall program guide.
 Astronomy in the Parks: October 5
Reconnect with the night sky, as we look through the Chicago Astronomer’s telescope at summer and fall celestial sights! Come prepared with any questions you have about the night sky. Our guide will give us a tour of wonders beyond our planet. Then enjoy marshmallows and other festivities around the campfire.
Date: Saturday, October 5
Hours: 6:30 p.m.- 8:30 p.m.
Location: Elliott Park
Cost: $11 residents/$15 non-residents
Register
 Farmer's Market: October 5
Stock up on the fall harvest at the Downtown Evanston Farmers' Market. The market runs thru November 4. Don't miss your chance to get fresh from the farm produce and specialty goods. This Saturdays highlight include: El Molcajete & Cocina Azteca will be teaming up to sell chips, salsa, and guacamole; Levy Senior Center ceramics class participants will be selling art to raise money for a clay recycler, Quinn Michael will be performing with his guitar, and kids will work on Fall harvest scenes and the Spud Club.
Date: Saturday, October 5
Hours: 7:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Location: University Place at Oak Avenue
Cost: Free
 Community Acupuncture: October 10
Looking for a way to jump start your detox? Need help managing stress, trauma, or sleep issues? Sign up for Community Acupuncture sessions. Learn the history of acupuncture and experience the benefits for yourself.
Date: Thursday, October 10
Hours: 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Location: Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Center
Cost: $11 residents/$31 non-residents
Register
 Family Campfire: October 11 & 12
Join the Ecology Center staff for fun-filled campfires with nature themes. Each evening includes stories, songs and the ever-popular s’mores. Space is limited; pre-registration is required.
Date: Friday, October 11 and Saturday, October 12
Hours: 7 p.m.- 8 p.m.
Location: Lighthouse Beach
Cost: $9 residents/$12 non-residents
Register
 Try Hockey: October 13
'Try Hockey for Free' is designed to help kids overcome the initial barriers to the sport and get them excited to come back for more. Each participating rink will host two sessions for those interested in learning the sport of hockey, open to children ages 4 to 13. Each participant will receive a jersey, t-shirt, hockey stick and a ticket to a Blackhawks game for the upcoming 2024-25 season. Skate rentals will also be provided courtesy of participating rinks; participants will be responsible for bringing their own helmet (e.g., bike helmet, hockey helmet, etc.).
Date: Sunday, October 13
Hours: Varies
Location:Robert Crown Community Center
Cost: Free
Register
 Zombie Scramble: October 19
The goal of the Zombie Scramble is for you and your team members to finish the race with all of your "lives" intact by outrunning and outwitting the Zombie. Your "lives" are represented by flags hanging off of a flag football belt you will wear. Throughout the course, Zombies will be attempting to grab your flag as you attempt to avoid them. If you lose all of your flags you become "infected" and complete the race as an "infected" person. Rather not be chased by "zombie" but be a "zombie"? We are looking for zombie volunteers.
Date: Saturday, October 19
Hours: Begins at 5 p.m.
Location: Ladd Arboretum
Cost: $35 residents/$46 non-residents
Register
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Last Call: Zombie Scramble Wear
Get your Zombie Scramble merchandise today! The shop will close at midnight on October 6. All products purchased in October will be shipped out on October 18. Shirts aren't included in your Zombie Scramble registration so shop now.
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 Trunk or Treat: October 25
Join us at Robert Crown for Trunk or Treat, a free event that invites all ages to collect treats from Halloween-themed vehicles. The event also features face painting and music.
Date: Friday, October 25
Hours: 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Location: Robert Crown Community Center
Cost: Free
 Family Pumpkin Carving: October 25
Looking for a fun, Halloween-themed night out with the family? Bring your creativity and we’ll supply the pumpkin! Carving tools and templates are provided but feel free to bring your own. Please register one person per family. Each family will receive a pumpkin to carve. If you would like additional pumpkins, register an additional family member.
Date: Friday, October 25
Hours: 6 p.m.
Location: Chandler-Newberger Center
Cost: $35 residents/$45 non-residents
Register
 Nightmare on Foster Street: October 25
Nightmare on Foster is the best haunted house in town! Join us for a night of candy, fun, spooks, and scares.
Date: Friday, October 25
Hours: 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Location: Fleetwood-Jourdain Center
Cost: $5
Register
 Bug-a-Boo: October 26
Our annual Halloween event will highlight the creatures that call Evanston home. Learn fun facts and amazing adaptations of animals that live right here in Evanston. You’ll meet these characters outside as you travel around Lovelace Park. Then enjoy s'mores around the campfire and Halloween-themed games. After your adventure, we’ll send you on your way with a fun craft to do at home.
Date: Saturday, October 26
Hours: Start time varies (4:30-7pm)
Location: Lovelace Park
Cost: $7 residents/$10 non-residents
Register
 Dia de los Muertos: November 3
Celebrate Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) at the Levy Center. This event features a performance from the Trabuco Salsa Band, art stations to make ofrendas, and other crafts.
Date: Sunday, November 3
Hours: 3 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Location: Levy Senior Center
Cost: Free
 Nature Excursions with Boat: November 5
Hop on the Bus for Outdoor Access & Teaching! Join BOAT and Ecology Center staff for a nature excursion to Illinois public lands. We have partnered with BOAT and U.S. Forest Service to provide these excursions free of charge. Meals and snacks are provided on the trip.
Date: Tuesday, November 5
Hours: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Ages: 13 - 17
Cost: Free (meals and snacks provided)
Register
 Robert Crown Day Off School
The Robert Crown Day Off School offers field trips, activities, ice skating and more from 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. on this fall. Each day will have a different fall theme. Activities will include visits with field trips, crafts,
games and outside time. Register now.
 After School Adventure
The After School Adventure program at Robert Crown Community Center offers a wealth of activities from 3 p.m. - 6 p.m. Mondays - Fridays and from 11:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. on school improvement days. To register, call 847-448-5949.
 Let's Play: Drop-in Play at South End Center
South End Community Center is now offering Let's Play Drop In on Saturdays from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., as well as Monday - Friday from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.. Cost is $15 per child for residents and $10 for each additional child. Cost is $20 for non-residents and $15 for each additional child.
 Middle School Open Gym
The South End Community Center will host an open gym for middle schoolers beginning on October 1. Open gym will take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. The cost for drop-in play is $5.
 School Day Off Mini Robot Building
Kids aged 5 - 11 are invited to join our School Day Off Mini Robot Building program from 10 a.m. to noon at Chandler-Newberger. Register now.
 Chandler-Newberger Drop-in Play
Time Together is back! Our drop-in play program for ages 0-5 years at the Chandler-Newberger Center resumes on Saturday, September 21. It is perfect for preschoolers tbefore or after classes at the Chandler-Newberger Center and on days off school. Join us on Mondays from 4 p.m.- 6 p.m. or on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, or Saturday from 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Call 847-448-8252 to sign up and ask about our sibling rates.
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Registration for our Fall programs in open! View all of our upcoming classes, workshops, school days off activities, and special events in our Fall Program Guide.
Register for classes on the City of Evanston website.
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 New Programs at South End Community Center
Our newest community center, South End, offers a host of programs this fall. Check out our South End Fall program guide.
Folk & Classic Singalong
These 6 week long classes will enliven your vocal apparatus, bring you smiles and new friends, help you recall and enjoy new songs, and teach you a few new ones. A large-print stapled handout of song lyrics will be passed out during each class, collected at the end of class, and given to keep after the last class. Register now.
 Frets Away
Find your musical community and develop your skills with fun, folk-style, adult and group classes for all levels. We offer classes at Robert Crown and Chandler-Newberger through the fall season. Register now.
 Archery Classes
Interested in learning archery? We're offering classes for kids and adults. Learn the fundamentals of archery from experienced coach Brent Harmon, Director of Chicago Archery Coaches, a USA Archery Level 4-NTS and Regional Elite Development Program Coach. Children must be 7 years old for the parent/child class. Register now.
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.
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
South End Community Center: 847-859-7697
Thanks for reading. Have a great weekend,
The City of Evanston’s Parks and Recreation Team
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