Evanston Parks & Recreation

12/23/2024

Join us for A Legacy Kwanzaa Celebration 2024-- a free event -- on Dec. 26 at Robert Crown Center at 6 p.m..

Nationally renowned NAJWA Dance Corps will bring their African-inspired dance heritage to our Legacy Kwanzaa stage. You and your family will be enthralled with their breathtaking African-influenced dance, drumming, and rituals and be invited to join them on stage!

Along with Dr. Gilo Kwesi Logan and his gifted S.O.U.L. Creations family, Tony Garrett's Community Drum Circle, and Emcee Lucia L. Luckett-Kelly, the first day of Kwanzaa will indeed be a celebration of "Umoja," Swahili for "UNITY," the first of the seven principles.

Fun activities for the entire family include a Kwanzaa photo booth, face painting, arts and crafts, food, artisan vendors, and more.

Date: Thursday, December 26
Hours: 6 p.m.
Location: Robert Crown Community Center
Cost: Free

12/18/2024

Thanks to the people of Evanston for chasing down the elves hiding in town and getting them back to the North Pole safely! We had a Great Annual Elf Hunt!

We also want to give a special shoutout to the amazing local businesses that generously donated prizes for the hunt. Shout out to Backlot Coffee, La Principal - Evanston, Pinto Thai Kitchen, Great Harvest Bread Co. Evanston, Squeezebox Books & Music, 5411 Empanadas, Soul & Smoke, Core & Rind Hospitality, Heroines and Heroes, Bookends & Beginnings, Mack's Bike and Goods, and Goldfish Swim School - Evanston. Your support made this event extra special and helped spread holiday cheer throughout our community. Thank you all for making this event such a success!

12/17/2024

12/17/2024

Thanks to everyone who attended the recent Winter Fun Day hosted by the Evanston Early Childhood Council at South End Community Center. Kids were delighted by a surprise visit from Olaf and enjoyed treats. Learn more about early childhood learning at: evanstonearlychildhood.org/
and find classes and camps for little ones at www.cityofevanston.org/recreation.

12/17/2024

Bring it on winter! We have fire! Join us for the Winter Solstice Bonfire on Dec. 20 6:30-8 p.m. at Lighthouse Beach. Register: https://bit.ly/3VDb6gT

12/16/2024

Robert Crown will offer drop-in pickleball from Jan. 5 - March 31. Grab your paddles and hit the courts for only $5.

12/12/2024

South End Community Center offers Let's Play Drop In Monday - Saturday from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.. We recently lowered prices to better support Evanston families! Cost is $10 per child for residents and $7 for each additional child. Cost is $13 for non-residents and $10 for each additional child.

12/11/2024

The Robert Crown Community Center presents The Nutcracker on Ice, Dec. 20-22. The classic holiday story of The Nutcracker is performed on ice with skaters of all levels. Get tickets: https://bit.ly/3Yj1uK6

12/09/2024

Today is the final day to donate to the Mayor's Holiday Food, Toy and Book Drive. Help ensure every Evanston family can celebrate this holiday season. We're collecting new, unwrapped toys in addition to staple food items for holiday meals, including stuffing, green beans, yams, mac and cheese, corn, and cornbread mix thru December 9. We're also collecting new and gently used children's books, as well as check and credit card donations through the Evanston Parks Foundation.

Donate to Evanston's annual Mayor's Holiday Food, Book and Toy Drive and find drop off locations at https://www.cityofevanston.org/holidaydonation.

Families who wish to participate in the Mayor's Holiday Food, Book & Toy Drive to receive toys and/or food items must register by calling 847-448-4311 (or dial 311 in Evanston) by Friday, December 6.

12/06/2024

🎄✨ Get ready for some holiday cheer, Evanston! ✨🎄

From Dec. 2–15, join us for the annual Great Elf Hunt and make sure to send your wish list to Santa!

🕵️‍♀️ The Great Elf Hunt
Our mischievous elves will be hiding at these Evanston Parks & Recreation spots Dec. 2 - 15:
📍 Chandler-Newberger
📍 Noyes Cultural Arts Center
📍 Fleetwood-Jourdain
📍 Robert Crown
📍 Levy Center
📍 South End Center
📍 Baker Park
📍 Mason Park
📍 Ackerman Park
📍 Clark Street Beach

📸 How to Play:
1️⃣ Find the elves.
2️⃣ Snap a selfie with each one.
3️⃣ Send your pics to [email protected] with your name and contact info to be entered into a drawing!

🎅 Letters to Santa
This just in from the North Pole: Santa will be accepting letters from Evanston kids Dec. 2-15! Drop your letter in the special North Pole Mailbox at the Chandler-Newberger Community Center by Dec. 15.
📬 Want a reply? Include a self-addressed, stamped envelope with your letter.

Let the holiday magic begin! ✨🎁

12/05/2024

It is with great sadness that the Levy Senior Center shares the passing of Evelyn Binz on Sunday, December 1. Evelyn was a beloved piano teacher, a passionate educator, and a dedicated member of our community. Her warmth, enthusiasm, and love for music touched the lives of her students, colleagues, and everyone fortunate enough to know her.

Beyond her musical talents, Evelyn was a proud Chicago Bears fan and a season ticket holder, embodying the spirit of community and connection in all aspects of her life.

Evelyn’s legacy of inspiration and mentorship will forever hold a special place in our hearts, and all will deeply feel her absence.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Levy Senior Center Foundation in honor of Evelyn's incredible contributions to our community.

https://www.donnellanfuneral.com/obituaries/Evelyn-Malouf-Binz?obId=33080720 #/obituaryInfo

12/05/2024

It’s the end of the year, and we’re hitting replay on all the amazing moments we shared as a community! Just like your Spotify Wrapped, we’ve compiled our greatest hits of 2024.

12/04/2024

Join our winter workshop this Thursday night at South End! Enjoy a festive environment, as we learn the techniques for making a beautiful evergreen wreath to decorate your home or give as a gift. Staff will provide instruction, evergreen boughs, ribbons, and wintry decorations for your wreath or evergreen gnome. To register, please call the Ecology Center at (847) 448-8256 or enroll online: https://bit.ly/3ZD7gag

12/03/2024

Give back to the families of Evanston today. Donate to Evanston's annual Mayor's Holiday Food, Book and Toy Drive at https://www.cityofevanston.org/holidaydonation.

12/02/2024

This just in from the North Pole! Santa is accepting letters from the kids of Evanston from Dec. 2 - 15, 2024. Submit your letter at our special North Pole mailbox at the Chandler-Newberger Community Center. If you'd like to receive a letter back from Santa, include a self-addressed stamped envelope with your with list.📮

12/02/2024

LAST CALL!

Don’t miss the coziest event of the season! Join us this Sunday, December 8 for delicious pancakes, hot coffee, and fun for the whole family. Wear your favorite flannel and come ready for breakfast and arts & crafts activities!

cityofevanston.org/register

11/26/2024

This Thanksgiving, we want to take a moment to recognize and thank our amazing staff. While we couldn’t get every staff member in the video, it goes without saying that all of our staff’s hard work and dedication help make everything we do possible, from maintaining our parks to organizing community events.

We’re also grateful for our community and the opportunity to serve you. Wishing everyone a safe and happy holiday!