Evanston Parks & Recreation

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Evanston Parks & Recreation Official page of the Evanston Parks, Recreation & Community Services Department. Social Media Policy: https://tinyurl.com/5n84hs99

If you are looking for more information about the City of Evanston's Parks and Recreation Department, please visit www.cityofevanston.org/recreation

MISSION #015: SWING INTO THE FUTURE! We're exploring the possibility of replacing the batting cages at Chandler-Newberg...
10/22/2026

MISSION #015: SWING INTO THE FUTURE! We're exploring the possibility of replacing the batting cages at Chandler-Newberger Community Center with golf simulators — and we want your input!

But first, let's have a little fun! 🏌️

YOUR MISSION: If you could play a round of golf anywhere in the world — real or imaginary — where would you tee off?

-A tropical island?
-A legendary championship course?
-The moon?

-Tell us your dream golf destination in the comments to complete Mission #015!

Then help us explore what's next at Chandler-Newberger by taking our quick Golf Simulator Survey. Whether you're an avid golfer, a curious beginner or someone who loves the batting cages, we want to hear from you!

TAKE THE SURVEY: https://bit.ly/3WFQPdZ

OCTOBER ADVENTURE GIVEAWAY: Complete the mission for a chance to win a $100 credit toward a Winter Parks & Recreation program! Winter registration opens Nov. 9.

Gather together with family and friends for a festive nature-themed Halloween celebration at the Ecology Center on Oct. ...
10/22/2026

Gather together with family and friends for a festive nature-themed Halloween celebration at the Ecology Center on Oct. 24! Families will stroll through the Nature Classroom where they will meet live animals before adventuring through the Ladd Arboretum in search of local animals that call Evanston home. Along the way, you will meet these characters in creative costumes and learn fun facts about their amazing superpowers. After your adventure, enjoy roasting marshmallows, playing games, and making a fun superhero craft to take home. This non-scary Halloween event is for all ages to enjoy.

Date: Saturday, October 24
Times: 45-minute sessions between 4:30 p.m. to 6:15 p.m.
Location: Ecology Center, 2024 McCormick Ave.
Cost: $11 R/$14.32 NR
Register at cityofevanston.org/register or call (847) 448-8256.

Construction is complete at Chandler Tot Lot! Located at the Chandler-Newberger Community Center, 1028 Central St., the ...
10/21/2026

Construction is complete at Chandler Tot Lot! Located at the Chandler-Newberger Community Center, 1028 Central St., the renovated space features a new children’s playground, updated pavement, drainage improvements, basketball court modifications and refreshed landscaping.

Take a peek at the transformation in these photos! Thank you for your patience as we made these improvements for our community’s youngest adventurers and their families.

Phew, Evanston—we survived another zombie apocalypse! Thank you to the brave kids and adults who took on the haunted tra...
10/18/2026

Phew, Evanston—we survived another zombie apocalypse! Thank you to the brave kids and adults who took on the haunted trails at Ladd Arboretum during Zombie Scramble on Oct. 17—and to our volunteer zombies who brought the scares!

Keep the Halloween fun going at these upcoming events:

Bug-a-Boo | Saturday, Oct. 24
Meet costumed animal characters, discover their superpowers and enjoy marshmallows, games and crafts. This non-scary adventure welcomes all ages!
-Ecology Center
-45-minute sessions between 4:30 and 7:15 p.m.
-$11 residents/$14.32 nonresidents

Trunk or Treat | Friday, Oct. 30, 1:30–3:30 p.m.
Bring your little ghouls and goblins for decorated trunks, treats and festive fun! All ages welcome; recommended for ages 5 and younger.
-Robert Crown Community Center parking lot
-FREE—no registration required!

Nightmare on Foster Street | Friday, Oct. 30, 6–9 p.m.
Enter the haunted house if you dare, then enjoy Halloween crafts and activities. Costumes encouraged!
-Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Center
-$5 residents/$6.50 nonresidents

Learn more and register for Bug-a-Boo and Nightmare on Foster Street at cityofevanston.org/register.

10/16/2026

TODAY is your last chance to register for Zombie Scramble! https://bit.ly/4yNFd6V

Grab your flashlight and take on a roughly two-mile haunted trail tomorrow, October 17, at Ladd Arboretum. Protect your flags from lurking zombies, then celebrate with food trucks, free s’mores, games and photo ops!

-5–9 p.m.
-$36 residents / $45.55 nonresidents

Register today, October 16 — if you dare! https://bit.ly/4yNFd6V

What if City vehicles could dress up for Halloween? How would you decorate them?-A fire truck transformed into a fire-br...
10/15/2026

What if City vehicles could dress up for Halloween? How would you decorate them?

-A fire truck transformed into a fire-breathing dragon?
-A garbage truck turned into a candy-eating monster?
-A Parks & Rec truck disguised as a haunted forest?

-YOUR MISSION: Pick a City vehicle and dream up its ultimate Halloween costume! Which City vehicle are you dressing up, and what will it be? Tell us your idea in the comments to complete Mission #014!

GET READY FOR TRUNK OR TREAT!
Bring your little ghosts and goblins to our FREE Trunk or Treat celebration for decorated trunks, treats and plenty of Halloween fun!

- Friday, Oct. 30 | 1:30–3:30 p.m.
- Robert Crown Community Center parking lot
- FREE! No registration required.
All ages welcome; recommended for ages 5 and younger.

MORE HALLOWEEN ADVENTURES AWAIT! Regsiter for the events below at cityofevanston.org/register

- Zombie Scramble | Oct. 17: Dodge zombies on a haunted trail at Ladd Arboretum.

- Bug-a-Boo | Oct. 24: Meet costumed animal characters at the Ecology Center.

- Nightmare on Foster Street | Oct. 30: Brave a haunted house and enjoy Halloween crafts at Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Center.

OCTOBER ADVENTURE GIVEAWAY: Complete this mission for a chance to win a $100 credit toward a Winter Parks & Recreation program! Winter registration opens Nov. 9.

Haunted trails, animal adventures and treats galore—Halloween fun is coming to Evanston! Register at cityofevanston.org/...
10/12/2026

Haunted trails, animal adventures and treats galore—Halloween fun is coming to Evanston! Register at cityofevanston.org/register

Zombie Scramble | Saturday, Oct. 17, 5–9 p.m.
Brave a roughly two-mile haunted trail, dodge zombies and celebrate with food trucks, free s’mores and games!
-Ladd Arboretum near the Ecology Center
-$36 residents/$45.55 nonresidents
-Register by Oct. 16

Bug-a-Boo | Saturday, Oct. 24
Meet costumed animal characters, discover their superpowers and enjoy marshmallows, games and crafts. This non-scary adventure welcomes all ages!
-45-minute sessions between 4:30 and 7:15 p.m.
-Ecology Center
-$11 residents/$14.32 nonresidents

Trunk or Treat | Friday, Oct. 30, 1:30–3:30 p.m.
Bring your little ghouls and goblins for decorated trunks, treats and festive fun! All ages welcome; recommended for ages 5 and younger.
-Robert Crown Community Center parking lot
-FREE—no registration required!

Nightmare on Foster Street | Friday, Oct. 30, 6–9 p.m.
Enter the haunted house if you dare, then enjoy Halloween crafts and activities. Costumes encouraged!
-Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Center
-$5 residents/$6.50 nonresidents

A big congratulations to the Trilling family, winners of our August Choose Your Parks & Recreation Adventure Giveaway! T...
10/11/2026

A big congratulations to the Trilling family, winners of our August Choose Your Parks & Recreation Adventure Giveaway!

The family won 25% off a Parks & Recreation program, and we love seeing their daughters enjoying some time on the ice at Robert Crown Community Center!

Thanks to everyone who joined our August adventures and shared their discoveries along the way!

Want your own chance to win? A new Parks & Recreation Adventure drops every Thursday! Follow along, complete the missions and discover all the fun Evanston Parks & Recreation has to offer.

Join us for a free, festive evening celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month, tonight, Oct. 9, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Enjoy f...
10/09/2026

Join us for a free, festive evening celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month, tonight, Oct. 9, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Enjoy food, a DJ, arts and crafts, face painting, a piñata, a raffle and more.

Event details
Date: Friday, October 9
Time: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Location: Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Center, 1655 Foster St., Evanston
Cost: Free

This week's Choose Your Own Adventure: Take the Stage! For more than 40 years, Evanston’s Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre has...
10/08/2026

This week's Choose Your Own Adventure: Take the Stage! For more than 40 years, Evanston’s Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre has brought African American and African Diaspora stories to the Evanston stage. Now, we're handing the playbill over to YOU!

YOUR MISSION: If you could bring a play by an African American playwright to the Fleetwood-Jourdain stage, what would you choose?
It can be a favorite you've seen or read — or something you've always wanted to experience live.
-Tell us the playwright + play in the comments to complete your mission!

TWO WAYS TO WIN!
Complete Mission #013 by Oct. 14 for a chance to win:
-Two tickets to The Niceties at FJT
-A $100 credit toward a Winter Parks & Recreation program in our October Adventure Giveaway! Winter registration opens Nov. 9.

COMING SOON: THE NICETIES!
Fleetwood-Jourdain's next production, The Niceties by Eleanor Burgess, runs Oct. 31–Nov. 15. When a Black college student challenges her white professor's interpretation of American history, their conversation becomes a powerful confrontation over race, history and power. Get tickets at https://bit.ly/47DHntY

Address

Evanston, IL
60201

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 5pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5pm
Thursday 8:30am - 5pm
Friday 8:30am - 5pm

Telephone

+18474488237

Website

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