Friday, Jan. 3, 2025  |  View in browser

Good Morning, 

Check out this week's Parks & Recreation e-news featuring information on the Summer Camp Open House, community garden lottery, MLK celebration, classes and more.

Join us for the Summer Camp Open House on January 10

Mark your calendars! On January 10, the Levy Center will come alive with excitement as we host the Summer Camp 2025 Open House from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

This free, family-friendly event offers something for everyone. Discover a variety of camp options with info sessions tailored to help you find the perfect fit for your kids before registration opens. Enjoy activities for kids, giveaways, raffles, and refreshments throughout the evening.

Key camp dates:

• Camp open house: January 10, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Levy Center
• Evanston residents: Camp registration opens February 1
• Non-residents: Camp registration begins February 10

Looking for a fun and rewarding seasonal job? Apply in person during the open house!

View a sample of what you'll find at the open house.

Registration for an Evanston Community Garden: Jan. 7 - Feb. 25

Love gardening? Don’t miss your chance to secure a spot in an Evanston community garden for the upcoming season. Registration is open January 7 through February 25.

How to enter:

• Visit the community gardens website
• Call 847-448-8256

Upcoming Events

Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre's 2025 Season Announcement Party: January 7

Mark your calendars for an evening of excitement as we unveil the Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre's 2025 season lineup! Join us on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, at 6 p.m. at Prairie Moon Restaurant, 1635 Chicago Ave., Evanston.

Enjoy a sneak peek at what’s in store for the upcoming year, mingle with fellow theater enthusiasts, and savor light appetizers—all for just $5 cash at the door.

Exclusive Premium Gold Member Offer
Take advantage of a special one-night-only deal on Premium Gold Member Cards, available for just $75—a savings of $53! As a Gold Member, you’ll enjoy:

• Priority RSVP admission to three plays and a Special Event
• Exclusive offers throughout the 2025 season

Prices for Gold Memberships will increase starting Wednesday, Jan. 8, so don’t miss this chance to save and elevate your theater experience.

For more information, visit Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre’s website or contact us directly.

Event details:

Date: Tuesday, Jan. 7
Time: 6 p.m.
Location: Prairie Moon Restaurant
Cost: $5 cash at door—includes light appetizers

Celebrate MLK Day on January 18

Join us for an inspiring MLK Day of Celebration on January 18 at noon as we honor The Black Women's Legacy in the Movement at the Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Center.

This free community event will feature a dynamic lineup of entertainment, including West African drumming, dancing, singing, spoken word, and more. Celebrate the powerful contributions of Black women in the civil rights movement and beyond through a vibrant showcase of culture and talent.

Event details:

Date: January 18
Time: Noon
Location: Fleetwood-Jourdain Center
Cost: Free

No registration is needed—just bring your enthusiasm and join the celebration! Don’t miss this unforgettable tribute to history, culture, and community.

Light the Night: January 25

Experience magical solar and battery-powered light installations by local artists as they illuminate the park. Sip hot cocoa and wander through the glow.

Event details:

Date: January 25
Time: 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Location: Tallmadge Park, 927 Noyes St.
Cost: Free

Spread the love: Join our Valentine’s Day X’s & O’s Workshop: Feb. 8

Looking for a creative way to celebrate Valentine’s Day? Join us for the X’s & O’s Workshop, a heartwarming gift-making party perfect for young artists! Your little one can craft a handmade masterpiece filled with love and personalized touches—nothing says "I love you" quite like a one-of-a-kind creation.

This adorable art project is brimming with hugs, kisses, and heartfelt charm. It’s also a fantastic opportunity for siblings to bond and make memories together.

Event details:

Date: Saturday, February 8
Time: 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Location: Chandler-Newberger Community Center
Cost: $22.25 resident/$29 non-resident

Spaces are limited, so be sure to register today! 

Dive into the Wonders of Weather on February 22

Get ready for an electrifying evening of science and discovery! Join us for a wild weather science presentation on February 22 at the Robert Crown Community Center.

This hands-on event will feature a live science presentation and amazing experiments that explore the fascinating world of weather. Arrive early at 6:30 p.m. for an engaging introductory activity.

Event details:

Date: February 22
Time: 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Location: Robert Crown Community Center
Cost: $15 resident/$20 non-resident

Please note: Children must be accompanied by an enrolled adult.

Spots are limited, so secure your place today! Register now.

After School Programs & Community Groups

Exciting After-School Programs for Ages 5-12

Looking for engaging, fun, and enriching activities for your kids? Evanston offers dynamic after-school programs for children ages 5-12 at the Fleetwood-Jourdain and Robert Crown community centers.

• 2025-26 School Year: Registration opens April 1.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to keep your kids active, learning, and having fun after school.

Connect and thrive with our New Moms Group

Are you a new mom with a baby aged 0–6 months? Join our New Moms Group to build connections, share experiences, and learn about your baby’s development in a supportive and welcoming environment.

In partnership with ParentConnect, the City offers this opportunity to find community, support, and friendship with other moms.

Details:

• When: Tuesdays, starting January 7
• Time: 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
• Where: South End Community Center

Don’t miss this chance to create meaningful connections and gain valuable insights as you navigate early motherhood. Register and grow together!

Classes, Workshops & Programs

Registration for our winter programming is open! View all of our upcoming classes, workshops, school days off activities, and special events in our Winter Program Guide.

Little Blackhawks

Get your young skater ready for the ice! The Little Blackhawks Learn to Play Hockey program offers an incredible introduction to hockey for kids. This exciting program runs Thursdays, Jan. 9 through Feb. 27, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., at the Robert Crown Community Center.

Details:

• Cost: $298 (includes full equipment for participants)
• Location: Robert Crown Community Center
• Dates: January 9 through February 27
• Time: 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Registration is available through the Chicago Blackhawks Amateur Little Blackhawks Program.

Register today and get ready to hit the ice with confidence! Spots are limited.

Unleash creativity with After School 3D Printing 

Spark your child’s imagination with Nexplore 3D Printing Start+, where students will bring ideas to life using 3Doodler pens. This hands-on program combines structured STEAM projects with room for creativity, encouraging kids to doodle, explore, and create their own designs.

From building landforms to learning about geography or crafting geometric shapeshifters, every lesson inspires innovation and discovery.

Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to turn imagination into reality.

Register now.

Discover your musical side with Frets Away!

Our Frets Away classes are perfect for adults interested in exploring the joy of music. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to hone your skills, you’ll learn to play the guitar and ukulele in a supportive and fun environment.

Don’t wait—start your musical journey today!

Register now.

Warm up your winter with sensory wellness

Discover nature with the Ecology Center's winter classes

This winter, join the Ecology Center for two exciting nature classes for little ones at the Lighthouse Beach Fog House classrooms. These hands-on programs immerse children and caregivers in the wonders of the natural world while fostering creativity, exploration, and a love for the outdoors.

Forest School Play Group

Adventure awaits with the Forest School model! Kids will explore, invent, climb, run, and build while discovering nature through imaginative play.

• Details: Parents must attend with children under age 3.

Saplings & Oaks

Transform into saplings and oaks with this early learning nature class! Through stories, crafts, play, and science, children will connect with the natural world and embrace the beauty of winter.

• Details: Classes are primarily outdoors, weather permitting. A caregiver is required.

Register online or call the Ecology Center at 847-448-8256.

Join the Youth Dodgeball League for 2nd–5th Graders

Get ready to dodge, duck, and dive into five weeks of high-energy fun! Our Dodgeball Tournament is designed for kids in grades 2–5 and is led by enthusiastic coaches skilled at accommodating players of all abilities.

Highlights:

• Exciting gameplay: Explore different forms of dodgeball to keep every session fresh and fun.
• Skill-building: Promote agility, quick decision-making, teamwork, and leadership.
• Safety first: All games use soft dodgeballs.

The action-packed season includes:

• Weeks 1–3: Teams compete to determine playoff seeding.
• Weeks 4–5: Playoffs and championship games with GTK dodgeball trophies for the winners.
• Week 6: The championship-winning team will face off against Wilmette’s champions!

Each session features four teams playing two games simultaneously in a one-hour format.

Don’t miss this chance to experience the thrill of dodgeball while building valuable skills and having a blast. Register now and let the games begin!

Empower yourself with self-protection skills

Stay safe at home or abroad with our intensive, interactive self-protection workshop designed for men and women. In this hands-on session, you’ll turn essential self-protection concepts into practical skills you can rely on.

What you’ll learn:

• Situational awareness: Quickly identify potentially dangerous situations.
• Proven techniques: Practice effective skills to deter and escape from an attacker.

This workshop provides the tools and confidence you need to protect yourself in a variety of scenarios.

Register now and take the first step toward a safer, more empowered you!

Play Time, Drop-in Activities & Rentals

Get your hands dirty with Drop-In Pottery

Looking to refine your pottery skills in a relaxed, self-paced environment? Join us for Drop-In Pottery at the Robert Crown Community Center.

This open studio time gives you the chance to work on your projects independently, without instruction, while enjoying access to a fully equipped pottery space. Completed pieces will be fired according to our regular firing schedule, so you can take home your creations.

Details:

• Dates: Sundays, Jan. 12 through March 16
• Time: 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.
• Location: Robert Crown Community Center
• Fee: $19 per session

No need to register in advance—just drop in and start creating! 

Celebrate with an Ecology Center Birthday Party

Make your child’s birthday unforgettable with a party at the South End Community Center! Choose from eight exciting themes featuring live animal encounters, hands-on science experiments, and instructor-led activities that will entertain and educate your guests.

Let’s Play Drop-In: affordable fun at South End

Looking for a fun and flexible activity for your kids? The South End Community Center offers Let’s Play Drop-In, Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

We’ve recently lowered prices to better support families.

Pricing:

• Residents: $10 per child, $7 for each additional child
• Non-residents: $13 per child, $10 for each additional child

Stop by and let your kids enjoy a day of play while you enjoy the savings. No registration required—just drop in and let the fun begin.

Fleetwood activities

From exciting programs to enriching activities, the Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Center has something for everyone this winter. 

Learn more at cityofevanston.org/fleetwood-jourdain-center or call 847-448-8254.

Get Involved

Planning a special event in 2025?

Groups and organizations that wish to hold special events in the Evanston must submit a Special Event Permit Application by Friday, January 31.

All outdoor events planned on City property, such as a street or park, or those that significantly impact the City, are classified as special events.
Events are subject to final approval of the City's Special Events Committee and, in some cases, the City Council.

Be sure to secure your special event permit.  

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.

Upcoming Board & Committee Meetings

• Dementia Friendly Committee: No meeting for January 
• Commission on Aging & Disabilities: January 9 at 3 p.m., Levy Center
• Parks & Recreation Board: January 16 at 6 p.m., Room 4900 of the Morton Civic Center
• ADA Committee: January 23 at 3 p.m., Evanston Public Library

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