It’s safe to say that all those April showers gave way to some beautiful May flowers! Spring is SPRINGING here at Gurnee Park District! Take time to enjoy all of the vibrant signs of spring by planning a visit to one of our parks – pack a picnic lunch, invite some friends, and make a day of it! This time of year is fleeting, but the memories it brings can last a lifetime! We have a lot in store this month! Mark your calendars for our upcoming May events and MORE!
UPCOMING MAY EVENTS:
OPENING WEEKEND AT HUNT CLUB PARK AQUATIC CENTER – 5/25-5/27
Opening weekend at the pool is coming up fast! See our Aquatic Center hours below!
Saturday, May 25 – 12:00 – 7:00pm* *11:00am-12:00pm passholder entry only Sunday, May 26 – 12:00 – 7:00pm* *11:00am-12:00pm passholder entry only Monday, May 27 – 11:00am – 7:00pm
*Visit Rainout Line for all weather-related updates!
Make sure you and the family are ready for the summer season – purchase your Hunt Club Park Aquatic Center 2024 season pass today at reduced rates now – 5/31!
Summer is right around the corner! Get ready by taking a look at our NEW Summer Program and Events Guide, which includes summer programs, classes, events, and more!
Let’s play ball! Our T-Ball and Lil’ Sluggers leagues begin soon. These leagues are perfect for your future all star to learn basic fundamentals of the game of baseball, all while having fun and being part of a team!
Make sure to join your team soon – spaces are limited! Practices begin the week of June 10!
Looking to learn more about the GO Gurnee movement? Join us for our GO Gurnee Re-Boot event on Sunday, May 19! The GO Gurnee Re-boot event will include guided walking groups, FREE GO Gurnee swag, music, FREE hot dogs and chips (while supplies last), and MORE. Have a furry friend who likes to walk, too? Bring them along to meet other dog lovers and even enjoy some pet-friendly giveaways!
We will be open with limited hours on Memorial Day (Monday, May 29). Please see below for our facility hours:
Hunt Club Park Aquatic Center: OPEN 11:00am – 7:00pm Hunt Club Park Community Center: CLOSED FitNation on Nations Drive: OPEN 7:00am – 12:00pm Viking Park Community Center: CLOSED
PARK HIGHLIGHT – PRAIRIE OAKS
Tucked away in the rolling landscape of the Prairie Oaks neighborhood, you will find one of Gurnee Park District’s most hidden gems – Prairie Oaks Shagbark Park.
Entering the park, especially during this time of year, is nothing short of magical. In fact, with groves of mature oak trees, stunning landscaping, and even a hidden fairy garden, it’s almost as if you’ve entered a scene from the Secret Garden. And it’s right here, in Gurnee!
Behind every twist and turn that the park has to offer brings something new to behold. Make sure to visit one of the two permanent book-lending libraries, built by local park neighbors, or, drop a “bone” in the dog toy-sharing bin. Looking for more fun? Walk the short path, which connects Prairie Oaks Shagbark to the neighboring Prairie Oaks Silo Park!
Did you know? The playground equipment at Prairie Oaks Shagbark Park was recently updated in the fall of 2022. Among the many new features replacing those that had been installed 20+ year ago, include a nod to the park’s fairy tale theme, with playground equipment including a tree fort aesthetic.
DEI CORNER – MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH
Spring is in full bloom as we head into a new month, signaling a time to get outside! And what better way to do so than during the month of May, also recognized as “Mental Health Awareness Month.”
Looking for a FUN and REWARDING job? We’re hiring! Available positions include:
Aquatics (current and summer positions – PT) Business Services Specialist (PT) Customer Service Representatives (PT) Cultural Arts Supervisor (FT) Dance Instructor (PT) Director of Recreation (FT) Facility Maintenance (PT) Member Services (FT) Personal Trainer (PT) And MORE!
Nice place. Overall I think it's great but it's too expensive for me. The pool is nice but it's a little shorter than a regular pool. The sauna and steam room are both great and the locker room is in good condition and clean.
I have not yet used the facility, but the tour was thorough, and the staff was friendly. I would like there to be weight machines, but lots of classes are offered that I'm looking forward to trying.
Always clean, not too noisy, sauna, steam sauna, spacious hot tub, plenty of machines, broken machines get fixed in timely manner, lots of water bottle fillers, plenty of sanitization wipes, friendly staff, friendly people working out... overall worth the price! (Just wish they were open later on weekends)
I finally found a club that is clean, open and expansive with working machines and lots of good reviews. It has everything you should expect in a quality health club, including a pool, hot tub, sauna, steam room, clean locker rooms and even drink vending machines. They even have a senior citizen discount, which several of the store front places do not. The front desk area is almost as big as some of these storefront places. They do provide towels and have clean showers 🚿. Please tap on the thumbs up 👍 and follow me with my many reviews.
I've been coming to fitnation since September 2022. I really like all of the staff, amenities and group fitness classes. I wish there were more group fitness classes offered in the evenings and on later on the weekends.
I highly recommend Fit Nation they have so much to offer! Working out here is great we also love the pool and all the additional amenities such as: women's workout room, classes, basketball 🌻
I rejoined FitNation just about a month ago after a 2 year hiatus. That hiatus put 30 pounds on my frame and now, since March 27 and a month at FitNation I am down 20 of those pounds. FitNation is clean, the staff accommodating and the equipment - awesome!
The FitNation facility is impeccable. In spending over an hour 6 days a week watching the care taken by the staff from maintaining the equipment, lighting, towel service and cleaning everywhere, I am thankful to have became a member. I know it's difficult for many to make it a habit to of working on our physical being, the recognition and greetings by the front desk staff makes one feel like this is the place you belong. When you get the call to join a facility, to address your physical needs, the cost value comparison of FitNation is money well spent. Thanks for better health, physically and mentally.
Were not clear about the kids memberships , was kinda of a waste of time. My kid has gone alone paying the daily pass , but when I tried to get him a membership he needed and adult to go with him. Not sure how that works but 🤷♀️
Bonnie, the Hydrofit instructor for aquartics on Mondays and Tuesdays ROCKS! Her class is a WORKOUT from 9-10 with little downtime in between exercises. That down time is filled with jogging in place. I appreciate her enmcouragement and options for folks with limited mobility. Thank you, Bonnie!
I've only been to the Nation's Drive facility and it's wonderful! The front desk is super helpful and very pleasant. They always wish you a great workout when you arrive, and they send off with a "Have a nice day", when you leave. Always!
The facility is very clean, and I see the staff constantly vacuuming, cleaning, and going the extra distance to keep up with covid requirements so that the place is safe for all guests.
All the machines are in good condition and I particularly love the two private work out rooms within the women's locker room.
5 stars, Fitnation!
It was my first time back since the pandemic started and I really appreciate the practices in place for maintaining a clean workout area and social distancing. Everyone followed the rules and it felt very safe. Plan to try and make more time again to workout safely.