EPR e-News: Summer program registration, boat launch, beach passes, Earth Day, upcoming events, and more

City of Evanston, Illinois sent this bulletin at 04/18/2025 09:59 AM CDT

Friday, April 18, 2025 | View in browser

Good morning,

Check out this week's Parks & Recreation e-news featuring information on Summer program registration, boat launch application, beach passes, Earth Day, upcoming events, and more.

Upcoming Events

Financial Literacy Workshops: April 22, April 29, May 6

Take control of your finances with our free Financial Literacy Workshop series. Hosted at the Levy Center, these sessions cover essential financial topics to help you reach your personal goals.

Workshop Schedule:

Investing: April 22
Retirement and Education Savings: April 29
Estate Planning: May 5

Sessions are offered Tuesdays from 6 p.m. - 7 p.m. Join one or all sessions, no prior knowledge is required.

Artist Talk: April 25

Join us for an inspiring evening as the Noyes Upstairs Gallery presents an Artist Talk featuring Leslie J. Riley.

Riley, a multidisciplinary artist, will share insights into how she integrates her roles as citizen, artist, teacher, daughter, wife, mother, and friend into her creative practice. Her talk will explore the complexities that shape her art and the empowerment it brings in the face of adversity.

Event details:
Date: Friday, April 25
Time: 7 p.m..
Location: Noyes Cultural Arts Center, Upstairs Gallery
Cost: Free

Earth Day Fest: April 26

Join us for a fun, free, and family-friendly Earth Day Fest at the Ladd Arboretum. Discover Evanston’s vibrant eco-community through hands-on activities, inspiring resources, and nature-filled fun.

Event details:
Date: Saturday, April 26
Time: 12 p.m.–3 p.m.
Location: Ladd Arboretum
Cost: Free

For accessibility accommodations, call 847-866-2919 or email disabilityservices@cityofevanston.org.

WOW (We're Out Walking): April 26

Step Into Spring at Evanston’s WOW Kickoff Event! Get ready to move, groove and celebrate community wellness at Evanston’s 14th annual We’re Out Walking (WOW) kickoff event. This free event kicks off the 16-week WOW program, which includes group walks, health, nutrition and fitness classes, t-shirts, and more!

This free, family-friendly event is packed with fun — enjoy a live DJ, delicious eats from the Soul & Smoke food truck, a bounce house for the kids, local fitness vendors, inspiring speakers, exciting raffles, prizes and live fitness demonstrations.

Whether you’re looking to kickstart a healthier lifestyle or just have a great time with neighbors, the WOW kickoff has something for everyone.

Event details:
Date: Saturday, April 26
Time: 11 a.m.–2 p.m.
Location: ETHS, Willie May Fieldhouse
Cost: Free

To register for the 16-week WOW program, visit cityofevanston.org/WOW .

Aging Well Film Night: May 1

The Aging Well Film Night, part of our celebration of Older Americans Month, will feature Hard Truths.

Hard Truths (2024) is a British-Spanish comedy-drama about Pansy Deacon, a woman in North London struggling with depression and grief after her mother’s death. As Mother's Day nears, she confronts strained family relationships and her own emotional turmoil.

Event details:
Date: Thursday, May 1
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Location: Levy Senior Center, Bobby’s Room
Cost: Free

My City, Your City, Our City First Friday: May 2

Head to Mason Park Evanston's “My City, Your City, Our City” First Friday event of the Summer. This free, family-friendly community-building event hosted by the Evanston the C.A.R.E. team, will feature food, music, outdoor games, BINGO, basketball, an obstacle course, raffle prizes and more.

Event details:
Date: Friday, May 2
Time: 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Location: Mason Park
Cost: Free

Lakeshore Shuffle 5k Run & Walk: May 3

Join us for the Lakeshore Shuffle 5K on May 3, 2025! Enjoy a scenic race along Evanston’s lakefront with stunning views of Lake Michigan. Whether you're running, walking, or using a stroller or mobility aid, everyone is welcome!

Event details:
Start/Finish: Arrington Lagoon (1647 Sheridan Rd.)
Race Time: 9 a.m. start
Packet Pick-Up: April 30–May 2 (locations vary); race-day pick-up available.
Cost: $38 R/$49 NR (No refunds for cancellations due to weather.)

This timed race includes a finisher’s medal, a mental health awareness station, and a poster-making station. Strollers require an additional fee. Spectators are welcome.

Want to volunteer? Sign up here.

Questions? Email kgrundin@cityofevanston.org.

Downtown Evanston Farmers Market Opens
May 3

Celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Downtown Evanston Farmers Market as the season kicks off on Saturday, May 3.

The market will be open every Saturday through November 1, from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at University Place and Oak Avenue. Shoppers can enjoy fresh produce, artisan foods and live entertainment throughout the season.

Join friends and neighbors in supporting local farmers and vendors, and be part of this special milestone year for one of Evanston’s favorite traditions.

Community Sing-Along: May 7

Chandler Newberger is excited to present a Community Sing-Along — a fun and festive afternoon filled with music, movement, and community spirit!

All ages are welcome to join in singing with D65 students. Come tap your feet, sway with the beat, and enjoy a lively afternoon of music and togetherness.

Event details
Date: Wednesday, May 7, 2025
Time: 1 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Location: Chandler Newberger North Gym

This is a FREE event, but registration is required. Call 847-448-8252 to register.

Aging Well Expo: May 9

Evanston’s 24th annual Aging Well Expo offers a free, half-day event designed for older adults and their care partners.

Hosted as part of Older Americans Month, the event will connect attendees with valuable community resources in areas such as health and wellness, safety, nutrition, technology, legal matters, financial planning, and the arts. Participants can also attend a free Dementia-Friendly informational session or enjoy wellness classes, including yoga, strength and balance, and groove.

Event details:
Date: Friday, May 9, 2025
Time: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Location: Levy Senior Center
Transportation: Free transportation for Evanston residents available through the Levy Senior Center (847-448-8250)
Registration: This is a FREE event, but registration is required. Register online or call 847-866-2919.

Become a Vendor
The City’s Senior Services Division is inviting vendors to participate in the 2025 Aging Well Expo. Each $250 vendor registration includes:

One six-foot table and two chairs in the gymnasium
Weekly promotion on the City’s Aging Well website
Weekly promotion in the Levy Senior Center e-newsletter
Company information listed in the program
Access to contact information for attendees who opt to share
Requirement to provide a door prize valued at $25 or more

Mother’s Day House Walk: May 11

Celebrate five decades of history and community at the Evanston History Center’s 50th annual Mother’s Day House Walk. This beloved tradition invites attendees to step inside some of Evanston’s most stunning and historically significant homes, each offering a unique story.

The selected homes showcase architectural significance, rich histories and beautifully preserved interiors.

The event will also feature a trolley service, snacks at the Arrington Lagoon Café, a plein air paint-out with Evanston Made on the Dawes House grounds, commemorative totes, live music and more.

Event details:
Date: Sunday, May 11 (Mother’s Day)
Time: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Location: Various historic homes throughout Evanston
Cost: $45 - $65
Buy tickets

Honeypot: May 17 – June 1

Presented by the Wirtz Center at Northwestern University and Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre, Honeypot is a powerful and poetic stage adaptation of E. Patrick Johnson’s groundbreaking book, adapted by D. Soyini Madison and co-directed by Madison and Tim Rhoze.

Blending oral history with magical realism, Honeypot gives voice to the real-life stories of Black Southern women who love women. Through vivid storytelling, original music, and choreography, these women’s experiences—ranging from coming out and love to faith, family, and activism—unfold in a deeply moving exploration of identity, resilience, and joy.

Event details:
Performance schedule:
Saturday, May 17, 7 p.m. – Preview
Sunday, May 18, 3 p.m. – Opening
Saturday, May 24, 7 p.m.
Sunday, May 25, 3 p.m.
Saturday, May 31, 7 p.m.
Sunday, June 1, 3 p.m.
Location: Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre
Cost: Students - $10; general admission - $30
Get tickets

Lakefront News and Activities

Get Ready for Summer: Beach Passes Available

Evanston’s public swimming beaches will officially open for the season on Saturday, May 24—and beach passes are now available.

To ensure all community members have access to our beautiful lakefront, the City of Evanston is offering free season beach passes to Evanston residents (ZIP codes 60201 & 60202). Residents can pick up passes for their household by providing proof of residency.

Passes will be available during regular business hours at the following locations:

Robert Crown Community Center
Levy Senior Center
Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Center
Chandler-Newberger Community Center
Prieto Community Center

New for 2025: Families who live outside of Evanston but have students enrolled in School District 65 or ETHS are now also eligible to receive free season beach passes.

Non-Evanston residents who are not eligible for free passes must purchase a season pass or daily beach ticket to enjoy Evanston’s swimming beaches.

For more information on beach hours, rules, and pricing, visit our online beach resources.

New Hours for the Arrington Lagoon Café

Grab a bite by the beach! Beginning on Tuesday, April 15, Evanston’s Arrington Lagoon Café, 1631 Sheridan Road, will be open Tuesday through Sunday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Stop by for your morning coffee, a sweet treat, or a lakeside lunch while soaking in those beautiful Evanston views!

After School and Days Off Programs

Registration for 2025-2026 Afterschool Programs Now Open!

Registration is now open for afterschool programs for the 2025-2026 school year. We offer two outstanding programs: Kid Zone at Fleetwood-Jourdain and Afterschool Adventure at Robert Crown. To register, contact Robert Crown at 847-866-5949 or Fleetwood at 847-449-8254.

Summer Camp Spotlight

Early Childhood Arts Camp at Noyes Cultural Arts Center

Give your little ones a summer of creativity and fun! The Noyes Cultural Arts Center is offering its Early Childhood Arts Camp, specially designed for children ages 3.5 to 5.5 years.

This four-week camp is packed with imaginative experiences, including themed stories, painting, crafts, water play, and time in a big maker space. It offers all the artistic exploration of the Immersion in the Arts Camp, but tailored for younger campers. Register now.

Beginning Gymnastics Camp

Get ready to roll, jump, and flip into summer with Beginning Gymnastics Camp at the Chandler-Newberger Community Center! This fun and engaging camp is designed for children ages 5–12 and welcomes all skill levels—including those with no prior experience.

Campers will learn and perfect basic gymnastics skills on bars, beam, floor, and vault through age-appropriate drills and activities. This camp is ideal for students in Beginning I, Beginning II, or Tumbling I. Register now.

Preschool Gymnastics Camp Returns to Chandler

Help your little ones build confidence, coordination, and skills this summer at the Preschool Gymnastics Camp, hosted by the Chandler-Newberger Community Center.

Designed for children ages 3.5 to 5.5 years, this engaging camp focuses on improving balance, flexibility, and general motor skills in a fun and safe environment. Campers will be introduced to basic skills on bars, beam, floor, and vault, with instruction tailored to young learners. Register now.

Learn-to-Row Camps

Experience the power of teamwork and learn the fundamentals of rowing with our expert coaches! This fun, inclusive, and safe camp will teach you how to row as a unit while building confidence and new skills on the water.

Session dates and times:
June 16–20 & June 23–27 | 11 a.m.–1 p.m. & 6 p.m.–8 p.m.
July 7–11 | 6 p.m.–8 p.m.
Cost: $100 (free for students who qualify for free or reduced-price school lunch)
Who Can Join? Rising 7th and 8th graders living in Evanston.

Wildflower Camp (Ages 3-4 yrs)

Join a two-week session of the Ecology Center for Wildflower Summer Camp. Children, ages 3-4 years, will enjoy a summer of adventures in nature. This preschool program is designed to develop small and large motor skills, creativity, and imagination while exploring science and the joys of nature. Daily activities combine outdoor exploration with play, crafts, stories, songs, critter visits with live animals, and other nature discoveries. Register now.

Spanish Summer Camp

Spanish Summer Camp offers a fun and immersive experience where children explore Spanish through games, music, art, and interactive activities. Campers will gain confidence in speaking Spanish while enjoying a dynamic and engaging environment. Register now.

Pay for Camp by May 5

As we prepare for an amazing season, we want to remind you to complete your camp payment by the May 5, 2025, deadline to secure your spot.

Important: Any participant with an unpaid balance after May 5 will be removed from their camp group. If you register for a camp after this date, payment will be required in full at checkout.

How to Pay Your Balance Online

Visit cityofevanston.org/register
Log into your Online Recreation account
Click your name/account number in the top right
Select "Pay Balances" to complete your payment

Need financial assistance? Evanston offers a sliding scale fee assistance program for Summer Camps. Learn more.

Classes & Programs

Registration for our Spring programming is still open. View all our upcoming classes, workshops, school days off activities, and special events.

Join Evanston’s Synchronized Skating Teams

Interested in being part of a synchronized skating team? Evanston offers exciting opportunities through our Aspire and International Judging System (IJS) level synchro skating programs.

The U.S. Figure Skating Aspire program serves as a bridge between learn-to-skate group classes and full U.S. Figure Skating membership. Designed to develop both athleticism and artistry, Aspire builds a strong foundation for success—on and off the ice. The program includes power skills, freeskate-level instruction, off-ice conditioning and parent education sessions. Register now.

Summer Madness 2K25 Youth Basketball Tournament

Get ready for Summer Madness 2K25, Evanston’s premier youth basketball tournament. Known for its tough, gritty play, this event brings together boys and girls for spirited competition and team-building.

Participants will battle for the gold while learning key values like sportsmanship, perseverance and teamwork. It’s a high-energy mix of fun and hard work where iron sharpens iron—and only the most unified team rises to the top.

Rookie Division (Kindergarten–2nd Grade)
Our youngest athletes will participate in a unique blend of skill development and gameplay. Each session is split between guided drills and competitive scrimmages, helping players build a strong foundation while having fun on the court.

Summer Madness Adult Basketball League

Looking for a competitive and fun way to kick off your week this summer? Look no further than Evanston’s Summer Madness Adult Basketball League.

Gather your crew and hit the court for a season of fast-paced games, team spirit and bragging rights. Whether you're chasing the title or just looking to stay active, this league is your shot to be crowned Royalty of the Court.

Play Time and Drop-in Activities

Drop-in Fitness at Robert Crown

Looking for a fun and flexible way to stay active? Robert Crown Community Center is now offering drop-in fitness classes—no pre-registration required!

Cardio Strength for Adults – Jump-start your day with a high-energy workout on Wednesdays from 7 to 8 a.m. Cost is $20 per class.

Active Play for Kids – Let the little ones burn off some energy with engaging activities on Saturdays from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Cost is $15 per class.

Join us for a great workout—just drop in and get moving!

Let’s Play Drop-In

Looking for a fun and flexible activity for your kids? The Prieto 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.

Time Together Drop-In Play

Looking for fun and connection? Join Time Together at the Chandler-Newberger Community Center on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

This open-play program is for ages birth through 5 years with a parent or caregiver. Our play spaces have climbing equipment, blocks, soft mats, puzzles and a book nook.

Bring your little ones for playtime while you connect with other parents or catch up with friends. The best part? Your first visit is free! Call 847-448-8252 for more information.

Tennis/Pickleball Outdoor Court Reservations

The outdoor tennis/pickleball court nets are up, and so is our online court reservation system. Secure your spot in advance at cityofevanston.org/courts. The courts are still available for free play on a first-come, first-served basis.

Ecology Birthday Parties

Give your kids a thrill by having their birthday party at the Prieto Community Center! We offer nature-themed experiences—and free play—for an unforgettable birthday experience. We are now booking May-July birthday parties. Call 847-448-8256 for information or fill out a party request form at: Ecology Birthday Party at Prieto Community Center Request Form

Dementia Friendly Tip Sheet

This month's tip sheet answers some frequently asked questions and introduces resources for those living with dementia.

Get Involved

Volunteer with the Ecology Center

We are so grateful to all of our wonderful volunteers who have supported us recently, including those who helped paint wooden eggs for our Egg Hunt event. Your time and effort make a huge difference!

Looking ahead, we have more exciting volunteer opportunities available! You can help with special event support, garden workdays, and various program activities. If you’re interested in getting involved, visit our Volunteer Page to learn more and sign up for upcoming dates.

Thank you again to all our volunteers – we couldn’t do it without you!

Help Shape the Future of Evanston’s Parks and Green Spaces

The City invites community members to review and provide feedback on the Draft Parks and Green Space Strategic Plan—a forward-thinking framework that will guide the future of Evanston’s parks and recreation system for years to come.

This comprehensive plan was developed through in-depth data analysis and meaningful community engagement. It outlines key goals to ensure Evanston’s parks, green spaces, and recreational facilities continue to meet the evolving needs of our community.

Key priorities include:

Creating recreation programming that reflects community interests
Recommending infrastructure and investment priorities
Identifying new amenities and park enhancements
Improving vegetation maintenance and green space management
Supporting capital grant applications
Establishing a long-term capital investment strategy
Integrating green infrastructure where appropriate

Community members are encouraged to review the draft plan and submit feedback and comments by May 9, 2025.

Upcoming Board & Committee Meetings

Dementia Friendly Committee: April 8 at 3 p.m., Levy Center
Commission on Aging & Disabilities: April 10 at 3 p.m., Evanston Public Library
Parks & Recreation Board: April 17 at 6 p.m., Robert Crown
ADA Committee: April 24 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
Prieto Community Center: 847-859-7697

Support Evanston Parks & Recreation

Your donation will help support lakefront upkeep and the Fleetwood-Jourdain Theater.

Donate now

Thanks for reading. Have a great weekend,

The City of Evanston’s Parks and Recreation Team

Parks, Recreation and Community Services

2100 Ridge Ave., Evanston, IL 60201
847-448-4311

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