Friday, Aug. 14, 2026 | View in browser
Good morning,
Check out this week's news on Fall registration, beach hours, Choose Your Parks & Rec Adventure Mission #005, Nature Tots & Tunes, Starlight movies and concerts, upcoming events, and more.
News
 Fall Is On the Way — Get Ready for a New Season of Fun!
This fall, Evanston Parks & Recreation is bringing back favorite programs and introducing new opportunities for all ages—from sports, fitness and arts classes to nature programs, special events, 55+ activities and more.
- The Fall Program Guide is available now.
- Fall registration is open for residents!
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Fall registration opens for nonresidents: Monday, August 17
To register, visit cityofevanston.org/register.
 Parks and Rec Community Centers Closed August 18
Our Parks and Recreation Community Centers will be closed for staff training on Tuesday, August 18. They'll reopen on Wednesday, August 19.
Parks and beaches will remain open on August 18. Thanks for your understanding!
 End-of-Season Schedule for Swimming Beaches
As seasonal lifeguards and beach staff return to school each year, the City adjusts beach operations at the end of the season to ensure that select locations have adequate staff to maintain public safety, manage admissions, and support daily operations.
Schedule
Clark and Greenwood Street Beaches will be the only beaches open to swimming during weekdays at the following times: 10:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. (Aug. 17-28) and 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. (Aug. 29-Sept. 7).
Clark, Greenwood, and Lee Street Beaches will be open on the following weekends: Aug. 22-23. 29-30, and Sept. 5-7.
Please note: Additional locations may open during the evenings and weekends. The sand area will remain open at all beaches. Stay informed about the status of the beaches at cityofevanston.org/beaches. For your safety, please remember to only swim while lifeguards are on duty.
 Mission #005 Starts Now! Complete Mission By Aug. 19.
Two new works of art have arrived in Evanston parks—and they’re inspiring our next Choose Your Parks & Recreation Adventure!
Check out Voronoi Chair by by Patrick D. Wilson at Twiggs Park, 1901 Simpson St., and The Martians Are Coming by Howard Russon at Independence Park, 2627 Stewart Ave. Then it’s your turn to get creative.
Your Mission:
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If you could create a sculpture for any Evanston park, which park would you choose—and what would your sculpture be? Think about the nature, activities, history, people or memories that make your favorite park special.
Share your park + your sculpture idea in the comments on our Mission #005 Facebook or Instagram post. No drawing required—just bring your imagination!
- Then, share your park + your sculpture idea in the comments on our Mission #005 Facebook or Instagram posts. No drawing required—just bring your imagination!
- Complete this mission by Aug. 19 for a chance to win 25% off any Evanston Parks & Recreation fall program!
For more information, visit our Choose Your Own Adventure page.
Learn more about the new sculptures at Chicago Sculpture International.
Upcoming Events
 Paddle, Bonfire & S'mores: August 14
Enjoy a beautiful summer evening with a sunset paddle on the water! After some time on Lake Michigan, you will be greeted back on land with a crackling bonfire. Kick back in our comfy Adirondack chairs, enjoy some music by the fire, and indulge in all the s’mores you can eat!
Begin with an on-land orientation, covering types of paddle strokes and the rules of the water. Kayak or paddleboard for up to 1.5 hours and then end the evening by the fire until 8:30 pm! All kayaking equipment and s’mores fixings are included.
Event details
Date: Friday, August 14
Time: 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Location: Dempster Beach Launch Facility
Cost: $50,16 yrs and older/$30,15 yrs and younger
Register
 Downtown Evanston Farmers' Market: August 15
Shop the Downtown Evanston Farmers’ Market on Saturday, August 15, to stock up on your favorite local farm products, discover new food vendors and artisans, and enjoy live music, kids’ activities and more each week.
Vendor Spotlight
This Saturday, stop by the City of Evanston booth to pick up coupons for our three featured vendors: Katich Breads, Lake Breeze Organics, Oosterhoff, and Smits Farms for the orange flags at each featured booth.
We’re grateful to this week’s sponsors, Cahill Heating and Air Conditioning and MZs Spotless Cleaning for helping make these vendor coupons possible.
Live Music
Enjoy live music throughout the morning, with Market Jam at 8 a.m., followed by The Sullivan Sisters at 10:30 a.m.
Spud Club
RSVP Gardens will teach kids about soil and plants and kids will paint flower pots.
Home Grown Artists and Rotating Vendors
Browse handcrafted goods from Anomaly, Anguaya, CiprianoStudio, Karmon Family Creations, and Nudgers Studio. And explore a rotating lineup of part-time vendors including Chicky’s, Greco Greens, Red Bean & Cocoa, and Suzie Teas.
Event details
Date: Saturday, August 15 (and every Saturday through November 21)
Time: 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Location: University Place at Oak Avenue
Cost: Free
Get info on the Market, vendors, activities and more.
 Nature Tots & Tunes: August 20
Join the Ecology Center at parks across the city this summer for a fun and interactive outdoor experience. Bring a blanket and snacks, meet live animals, take part in nature activities, and sing along to family-friendly music from the Old Town School of Folk Music's Wiggleworms. Our final event of the summer takes place at Baker Park on August 20.
Date: Thursday, August 20
Times: 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Location: Baker Park, Forest Ave. and Keeney St.
Cost: Free, but please register online or call (847) 448-8256.
 Family Fun Fest: August 22
Bring your family out for a fun-filled day of connection, creativity, and community as the school year begins. Enjoy hands-on activities for all ages, explore a family-friendly resource fair, and connect with local organizations that support children and caregivers year-round.
Event details
Date: Saturday, August 22
Location: Robert Crown Community Center, 1801 Main St.
Time: 12 p.m. to 4p.m.
Cost: Free
The event is free but please register for the event.
 Free Access to Fishing: Thru August 22
This popular free program is a great way to introduce children ages 4 years and up to “catch-and-release” fishing. Equipment, bait, and fishing expertise are provided! Drop by on Saturdays from June 6 through August 22, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., at Lovelace Park. Kids under age 16 don’t need a fishing license but must be accompanied by an adult. Illinois fishing licenses can be purchased at www.illinois.gov.
Event details
Dates: Saturdays, thru August 22
Times: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Location: Lovelace Park
Cost: Free
Call the Ecology Center for more information: (847) 448-8256.
 Starlight Concert - Soft-Opening: August 25
Soft-Opening will perform soft rock style music at Independence Park as part of our free Starlight Concert series. Bring your lawn chairs, blankets and your favorite movie snacks for a fun summer evening with family and friends. Alcohol will be available for purchase to adults.
Event details
Date: Tuesday, August 25
Location: Independence Park, 2627 Stewart Ave.
Time: 6 p.m.
Access the full Starlight Concert & Movie Series lineup and event details.
 Audition for Finding Nemo Jr.: August 25 or 27
Evanston Children’s Theatre invites young performers ages 8 through eighth grade to audition for its fall musical, Finding Nemo Jr.
Everyone who registers gets a part! Participants may join either the Tuesday cast or the Thursday cast.
Audition Workshops
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Tuesday, August 25
Noyes Cultural Arts Center
4–6 p.m.
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Thursday, August 27
Levy Senior Center
4–6 p.m.
Register for the program before auditions.
 Starlight Movie - Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure: August 29
Our final free, Starlight Movie of the season is 1989's Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure. Bring your lawn chairs, blankets and your favorite movie snacks for a fun summer evening with family and friends. Food and drinks will be available for purchase from the City of Evanston Mobile Food Program.
Event details
Date: Saturday, August 29
Location: Leider Park, 600 Asbury Ave.
Time: 7 p.m.
Access the full Starlight Concert & Movie Series lineup and event details.
Fall Sports Leagues
 Register for Flag Football and Cross Country by August 20
Register for District 65 Fall Sports by August 20. Build skills, confidence, teamwork, and school spirit through two exciting co-ed programs:
Flag Football (grades 2-5)
Boys and girls in grades 2–5 can build their skills, learn teamwork and have fun competing in a supportive environment. Jersey included, school-based practices, and six Saturday games at Robert Crown Fields.
Cross Country (grades 4-5)
Fourth- and fifth-grade students can improve their running skills, stay active and experience the fun of competing as part of a team. Team shirt included, practices with school teammates, and three meets at Twiggs Park.
Register online or visit a City of Evanston Community Center.
 Jr Wildkits Hockey Registration Open
Registration is open for community-based hockey teams at Robert Crown. We offer three programs for kids of all skill levels.
- Little Kits: Three multi-week learn to skate sessions offered during hockey season. Ages 8 and younger. Register
- Jr Wildkits Mites: Three multi-week skill development sessions offered during hockey season. Ages 8 and younger. Register
- Jr Wildkits Tier 3 hockey: Full season hockey with league play for 10U and 12U ages. Register
Program Spotlight
 Toddler Garden Club: August 24-28
Schedule a play date with nature in the Farmette! You and your child will explore our little farm at Eggleston Park through gardening, stories, and outdoor play.
Date: 1 week, August 24-28
Times: 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Location: Eggleston Park Farmette
Cost: $80 R/$104.11 NR
Register online or call (847) 448-8256.
Preschool and After School
 Registration Open for After School Programs
Make after-school care easier with Evanston Parks & Recreation! Our programs provide a safe, welcoming environment where children can learn, create, play and connect with friends after the school day ends.
Even better, enrollment includes supervised care on every District 65 school day off and school break.
Choose from three programs:
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Kid Zone: Ages 5–11 at Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Center
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Beyond the Bell: Grades 6–8 at Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Center
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After-School Adventure: Ages 5–11 at Robert Crown Community Center
Programs meet Monday through Friday on District 65 school days from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. and from noon to 6 p.m. on early-dismissal days.
Space is limited. For Fleetwood programs, contact Shackeena Sands, ssands@cityofevanston.org, 847-448-8255. For Robert Crown, contact, Adam Eberhardt, aeberhardt@cityofevanston.org, 847-866-5949.
 Enroll in Prieto Early Learning Center 2026-27 Program
Give your child their first independent learning experience in a warm, nurturing environment at the new Prieto Early Learning Center. Enroll in the 2026-2027 program of Explorer Two’s, a supportive introduction to early learning, helping your child build the skills they need for preschool and beyond.
Learn more and register: call 847-448-8167 or email kerrybauer@cityofevanston.org.
Lakefront
 Kayak, Paddleboard and Sailboat Rentals Available
Spend your summer on the lake! Evanston’s lakefront rentals are back with hourly kayak, paddleboard and sailboat rentals at Dempster Street Beach. Whether you're looking for a relaxing paddle, a sailing adventure or a fun afternoon on the water with friends or family, there are options for residents and non-residents, plus convenient multipass packages for frequent visitors.
Rentals are available daily, weather permitting, and can be reserved online or in person at the Dempster Street Beach Office.
 Dempster Street Beach Seasonal Launch Pass Available
Summer is here! Have you purchased your Dempster Street Beach Seasonal Launch Pass yet? Seasonal launch passes are now on sale, and the beach office is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Stop by today and get your pass so you're ready to enjoy a summer on the water!
Learn more at cityofevanston.org/boatlaunch or call the Dempster St. Beach Office at 847-866-4167.
 Purchase Your Church St. Boat Launch Permits
Get ready for the season, submit your application today to secure your spot at the Church Street Boat Launch. Complete an online application and a City of Evanston Recreation staff member will reach out to you for payment. Permits can be pick-up at the Dempster St. Beach Office from May 9 through Labor Day.
Other News
 Volunteer to Support Your Parks and Recreation Team
Looking for ways to support your Parks and Rec team? We're looking for help with events and drop-in activities. We need help with:
- Special Events
- Outdoor Stewardship
- Coaching for Youth Sports
- Program Support
- Downtown Evanston Farmers' Market
- Adopt a Park
- Scout Services
Check out all opportunities on the Parks volunteer web page or thru our volunteer calendar.
 Dog Beach Passes Available
Located just south of Clark Street Beach, the Evanston Dog Beach will open daily from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Pick up your pass: Remember, a valid dog beach pass is required for entry to the Evanston Dog Beach. Passes are available in person at City community centers on weekdays. Learn more.
Get Involved
Accessibility for all
The City of Evanston is committed to promoting a City-wide culture of accessibility and inclusion. To request an accommodation for a program, service, activity, or to request materials in an alternative format, please make an ADA service request by calling 847-866-2919 or submitting a 311 request 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
Our many amenities are here for everyone to enjoy—and your support helps keep them beautiful. Every contribution makes a difference.
Donate now
Thanks for reading. Have a great weekend,
The City of Evanston’s Parks and Recreation Team
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