Thursday, April 16, 2026 | View in browser
Good evening,
Read below for information about a Solarbration ribbon cutting, Earth Week events, lead service line notices, sidewalk safety, and more!
 It's a Solarbration! ☀️
Today, we hosted a Solarbration and ribbon cutting in partnership with Verde Solutions for the new rooftop solar installation at the Robert Crown Community Center! This project will generate clean, renewable energy for the facility and cost the city zero dollars thanks to a power purchase agreement. Read more about it in an article in Evanston Now.
 Evanston is moving on up ✨
The City just climbed to #13 on Livability.com's 2026 list of the Top 100 Best Places to Live, jumping four spots from #17 in 2025 and earning its place among the most vibrant, livable small- to mid-sized cities in the country. Evanston stood out for its strong performance in health, amenities, and education, factors that contribute to a high quality of life.
 Earth Week Kicks Off Sunday 🌍
Celebrate Earth Week in Evanston with a full lineup of events focused on sustainability, community action, and environmental education.
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Stop by the Ecology Center for daily drop-in programs all week long featuring hands-on activities, nature walks, workshops, and more.
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Don’t miss Earth Day Fest on Sat., April 25, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Ecology Center to participate in tree plantings, family activities, and eco resources from local partners.
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Join neighbors across Evanston for community cleanups in the Main-Dempster Mile on Sat., April 18 (11 a.m. to 1 p.m.), and Downtown Evanston on Sun., April 26 (noon to 2 p.m.).
 Click image to play video
Heads up! Lead Service Line Notice letters
The City will be mailing lead service line notices to applicable residences throughout Evanston again this year. These notices, required by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, do not require any immediate action
Evanston's drinking water is safe. Check out our video featuring Water Production Bureau Chief Darrell King, where he talks in detail about this notice as well as the City's Lead Service Line Replacement process.
Lead Service Line Replacement in Evanston: Evanston is working to replace over 10,000 lead service lines, a multi-year project costing millions of dollars. In the meantime, we are treating our water with an inhibitor that adheres to metal pipes, preventing water from coming into direct contact with the metal. Learn more about the City's lead service line replacement.
 No riding on sidewalks in Downtown Evanston 🚲
To improve safety and accessibility, please remember that riding bikes, scooters, skateboards, and similar devices on downtown sidewalks is not permitted. Riders should dismount and walk their devices while in these areas. Using designated bike lanes or streets instead helps keep sidewalks safe for everyone.
Learn more: Visit cityofevanston.org/safesidewalks and keep an eye out for our new stand-up signage displayed throughout downtown.
More News and Events
Benchmarking season is well underway
Thank you to the nearly 130 properties that have submitted their water and energy data and are in compliance. Take a look at the Evanston Benchmarking Map to check your compliance status by building ID or address. For more info or assistance, check out the City’s helpdesk. The deadline to submit your annual benchmarking report is June 30.
New spot, same easy way to pay
The City has moved its self-service kiosk to right outside of the Customer Service Center at the Morton City Hall, located at 909 Davis St. Stop by to pay your water bills and parking tickets conveniently and efficiently by cash, check, or credit card. Plus, there are no convenience fees.
Game, Set, Grand Opening!
Celebrate the grand opening of the new pickleball courts at James Park on Sat., April 18, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. with a ribbon cutting and open play. Reservations are now open for the courts, available daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Reserve a court now.
Share feedback with the Evanston Community Foundation
The Evanston Community Foundation invites residents to share feedback to help guide its grants, programs, and advocacy. Take their Community Listening Survey by April 24.
Café au Lake Opens April 18
Cafe au Lake opens for the season on Sat., April 18! Stop by the cafe at Arrington Lagoon in Dawes Park for breakfast and lunch. Hours through the end of April: Tuesday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.; 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday and Sunday. Closed Mondays. Summer hours coming soon!
Sign up for Aquatic Camps
Make a splash this summer with 15 percent off Aquatic Camp for June sessions (June 8-12 and June 15-26, pending availability). Campers will rotate through on-water activities like sailing, kayaking, paddleboarding, and tubing, plus shore games. Use code "15off" at checkout by April 19.
Help shape our equity future
The Equity and Empowerment Commission is requesting community input on their Equity Scorecard, a tool for evaluating projects, policies, and practices through an equity lens. Please take a few minutes to respond to the online survey.
Got cracked or uneven sidewalk squares?
Residents can once again participate in the 50/50 Sidewalk Program, where the City covers half the cost of eligible sidewalk replacement. To participate, simply mark your deteriorated sidewalk squares with paint or other durable marking material and then contact 311 by May 8. City staff will inspect the damaged sidewalk for eligibility. Residents will be invoiced for the replacement cost, which must be paid to participate.
Get Engaged
Community Calendar
 Credit: Richard Cahan
Congratulations to the winner of our youth Recycling Truck Art Contest, Taylor Hardin, from Nichols Middle School!
Each year, the City's Public Works team hosts an art contest to promote recycling, and this year, Taylor's fun cat design received the most votes.
Make sure to wave when you see the recycling truck roll through town.
That’s it for today's e-news. Thanks for reading!
Sincerely,
The City of Evanston Communications Team
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