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Gurnee Park District Newsletter – June 2024

While summer doesn’t officially begin until June 20th, it’s safe to say it is officially feeling like summer! The trees are fully boasting their summer flair and the temperatures are slowly rising higher and higher! Make sure to soak up those rays and beautiful days by taking a visit to one of our amazing 28 parks (see this month’s Park Highlight below)!

We have a lot in store this month! Mark your calendars for our upcoming June events and MORE!

MAKE A SPLASH AT THE AQUATIC CENTER!

The Hunt Club Park Aquatic Center is NOW open! Enjoy fun all summer long!

Hours include:
Monday – Friday: 12:00 – 7:00pm
Saturdays & Sundays: 12:00pm – 7:00pm
*passholder only entry 11:00am-12:00pm
Holidays: 11:00am – 7:00pm

We have a busy summer planned! Visit our Aquatic Center event calendar here!

Visit for the day, or all summer long by purchasing your online day pass or 2024 season pass!

Online Day Pass
2024 Season Pass

*Don’t forget to check Rainout Line for all weather-related updates!

FAMILIES ON THE FAIRWAY – 6/7

This Friday (6/7), get ready for our annual Families on the Fairway event at Bittersweet Golf Course! This event is FREE and FUN for the whole family! Friday, June 7
7:00-9:00pm
Bittersweet Golf Course | 875 Almond Road

Learn More!

MONTHLY MIXER – 6/14

Grab your friends as our popular monthly mixers have been extended through July!

NEW summer location: Gurnee Community Church | 4555 Old Grand Avenue, Gurnee, IL. 60031

As summer begins, let’s celebrate with an old-fashioned picnic, indoors of course! Lunch will include fried chicken, potato salad, vegetable and fruit trays, and dessert. Following lunch, we’ll play “Name That Tune” with singer and piano player, Robb Pedraza. 

Friday, June 14 – 11:30am-1:00pm
*Doors open: 11:00am/lunch service begins at 11:30am

Registration deadline: 6/10

Save Your Seat

SOUNDS OF SUMMER CONCERT SERIES

Our Sounds of Summer concert series begins this month! See below for our upcoming June concerts:

June 13: Sounds of Summer Evening Concert – “90s Pop Nation” at Viking Park
(7:00-8:30pm)

June 18: Sounds of Summer Children’s Series: “Mary Macaroni” at Viking Park
(10:30-11:15am)
* We’re proud to partner with our friends at Forest Orthodontics & Pediatric Dentistry. 
Forest Orthodontics & Pediatrics’ SMILE Ice Cream Truck will be onsite! The team will be serving up FREE, sweet treats to guests (while supplies last)!

June 27: Sounds of Summer Evening Concert – “Radio Gaga” at Viking Park
(7:00-8:30pm)
*thank you to our sponsor, Old National Bank, for making this event possible!

Special thank you to the Gurnee Exchange Club, who will be onsite for our evening concerts selling concessions!


DEI CORNER – PRIDE MONTH

As we welcome the month of June, we also welcome Pride Month, a time to celebrate, remember, and continue the progress toward equality and acceptance for the LGBTQ+ community. Here at the Gurnee Park District, where the heart of our mission lies in fostering a welcoming environment for all members of our community, we embrace the significance of this month by reflecting on its origins and celebrating its importance.

DEI Corner Blog

PARK HIGHLIGHT – SHAW PARK

Head on over to the east side of Gurnee, just past Route 41, down Belle Plaine Avenue, and you will find…Shaw Park!

Tis’ the season to get outside, and Shaw Park is a great place to do just that! Tucked away in the quiet neighborhood near Spaulding School, Shaw Park is another one of Gurnee Park District’s finest locations. The park boasts an inviting playground for all ages, plenty of shade from mature trees, as well as a wooded walking path. If you’re looking to get in some extra steps, hop on over to the “Boulevard View Trail,” which connects to the park for an extra ¾ mile walking adventure.

Did you know? In 2018, the park received a makeover to its playground structures, including new slides, climbing features, a merry-go-round, a swing set, and a tot lot. In addition to plenty of new and exciting play features, our Parks Teams also added a large shade sail or kite, making picnics at the park the perfect summer activity!


UPCOMING SUMMER EVENTS

Mark your calendars for MORE fun throughout the summer!

Special Event Calendar

Looking for a FUN and REWARDING job? We’re hiring!
Available positions include:

Business Services Specialist (FT)
Facility Maintenance I & II (FT & PT)
FitNation Childcare (PT)
Fitness Attendant (PT)
Group Exercise Instructor (PT)
Park Ambassador (PT)
Personal Trainer (PT)
Special Events Coordinator (PT)

Apply today!

Have a great month! We look forward to seeing you out and about at Gurnee Park District!

Hunt Club Park Aquatic Center
Families on the Fairway 6/7
Monthly Mixers 55+

This event has been canceled. We apologize for any inconvenience. 

Calling all Pickleball enthusiasts! Whether you’re a seasoned player or just starting to “dink” and “slam”, get ready to unleash your skills & compete against fellow pickleball enthusiasts at our upcoming Pickleball Tournament!

Date: Saturday, June 1
Time: 8:00am – 3:00pm
Location: O’Plaine Community Park
Fee: $65 (one registration per team of 2)

This men’s, women’s, and mixed doubles tournament is designed for adults ages 18+.  All participants will receive a t-shirt. Once registered, email shirt sizes for you and your teammate to Chris Poole.

*Bring your own paddle and plenty of enthusiasm!

Take a swing and secure your spot TODAY!

Gather your squad and get ready for an action-packed night of adrenaline-pumping Nerf battles and activities for the whole family to enjoy! Fuel up with a dinner of pizza, salad, and dessert before taking on the Nerf arena, complete with stations such as Nerf blaster target practice, a team battle zone for games like Capture the Flag and Team Elimination, as well as fun parachute games for all ages! All Nerf supplies, such as blasters, foam darts, and goggles will be provided (please leave your supplies at home).

Registration deadline is Tuesday, 4/9/24.

Save your spot today!

There are few American sporting events with the history and popularity of the Kentucky Derby. Its rich traditions – sipping a mint julep, donning a beautiful hat, and joining fellow race fans in singing “My Old Kentucky Home” are enjoyed across the country. While we can’t personally go to the “Running of the Roses” we can hold our own “Kentucky Derby” races at Viking Park. Put on your Sunday best, fix up your most outrageous hat, and bet on your favorite horses (with fake money) which you can then use to buy fun prizes. Enjoy a lunch of crispy chicken wrap, salad, fresh fruit, coleslaw, and of course dessert.

Registration deadline 5/9

Save your seat!

Join Frances Mai-Ling on a journey to talk about a Polish pastry that is celebrated throughout the world by all cultures – the PaczkiLearn what a Paczki is, what makes them so famous and sought after, and how it is different from other donuts! Enjoy a traditional polish lunch of stuffed cabbage rolls, potato & cheese pierogis, salad, and Paczkis for dessert. 

Registration deadline – 3/7

Save your seat!

 

 

Join us at the Gurnee Park District as we celebrate LOVE…our love of old toys that is. Enjoy a lunch of lasagna, bread, salad, and dessert from Tina’s Italian Cafe & Catering in Gurnee. Following lunch, go back in time with Dean Milano’s “Vintage Toys of the Past” program featuring a large display of antique toys and a slide show of additional toys, from the 1930s through the 1960s. Dean will have everyone reliving their childhood.

Registration deadline – 2/8

Save your seat!

Our future is so bright we need to wear shades! Join us as we try to predict the future with fun games, crafts, and more!

Please bring appropriate outerwear as some activities may be outdoors, as well as a lunch and beverage.

This is a non-school day for District 56 only.

Register for FUN!

 

Are you up for a little mystery? Be prepared for just about anything. Today will be filled with activities and games that will be a mystery until you arrive!

Please bring appropriate outerwear as some activities may be conducted outdoors, weather permitting, as well as a lunch and beverage.

This is a non-school day for both District 50 and District 56.

Register for FUN!

 

Join us as we try to use as many different colors as we can in one day! We will have a blast playing our favorite games and crafts.

Please bring appropriate outerwear as some activities may be conducted outdoors, weather permitting, as well as a lunch and beverage.

This is a non-school day for both District 50 and District 56.

Register for FUN!

 

Join us as we play all things games! We will have a chance to play indoor games, gym games, board games, card games, and hopefully, if the weather cooperates, playground games!

Please bring appropriate outwear as some activities may be held outdoors, weather permitting, as well as a lunch and beverage.
This is a non-school day for both District 50 and District 56.
Register for FUN!