Parks, Gardens & Recreations

Address
1028 Central Street, Evanston, IL
60201
Phone Number
847-448-8252
Description

Center offers many programs: after-school sports classes, girls’ youth basketball leagues, youth flag football leagues, preschool play groups, youth chess, adult/youth fencing, preschool development classes, youth gymnastics, adult/youth volleyball leagues, women’s basketball classes and more as well as summer day camps for school-aged youth and preschoolers.

Public Notes

Racquetball court and gymnasium rentals open to community, youth birthday party groups, etc.

Play-School Program: year-round classes for 2-year-olds with parents Mondays and Fridays, 3- and 4-year-olds Monday and Friday mornings/Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, and 4- and 5-year-olds Tuesday and Thursday mornings.
Contact Michelle Tompkins at 847-448-8681, mtompkins@cityofevanston.org

Address
Civic Center, 2100 Ridge Ave., Evanston, IL
60201
Contact Person
Bob Dorneker, Interim Director
Phone Number
847-448-8237
Fax
847-448-8051
Description

The Evanston Parks/Recreation and Community Services Dept. oversees a wide range of services: Cultural Arts, Ecology, Forestry, Parks, Recreation, Youth Engagement, Senior Services and Disability Services. The divisions offer a variety of programs for children, teens, adults, seniors, and people with special needs.

Cultural Arts Division: Promotes the arts in Evanston and provides information about the arts and arts events. Presents free events including Evanston Lakeshore Arts Festival, Ethnic Arts festival, Starlight concerts, and Arts Week.

The Ecology Center: Strives to foster a greater appreciation, awareness and knowledge of the natural environment and our interdependence with it through educational programs and services.

Organization Name
Address
803 Elmwood Ave., Evanston, IL
60202
Contact Person
Erlene Howard
Phone Number
847-733-7665
Fax
847-556-6443
Description

Commercial composting company offers weekly or biweekly pickup service. At a commercial site, anything that was once alive, including animal products and food soiled paper, can be composted.

Organization Name
Address
Intersection of University Place and Oak Avenue. (behind Hilton Garden Inn, east of East Railroad Ave)
Contact Person
Myra Gorman, Market Manager
Phone Number
847-448-8045
Description

58 vendors of fruit, vegetables, meat, flowers, cheese and bakery items from local and regional farms. Free parking available in the Maple Street Parking Garage. Special events and performances by local musicians.

Downtown Farmers Market:
This market is held every Saturday, from early May through early November. Hours are 7:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Location: Intersection of University Place and Oak Ave. (just east of East Railroad Ave.)
Ridgeville Market:
Wednesdays, early June through mid-October, 3:30 p.m.-7p.m., in the park by the field house at 908 Seward St. (at Ridge Ave.; Program Director Natalie Sallee, 847-869-5640. Pre-order/delivery boxes available weekly.
West End Market:
Saturdays, early June through late October; 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Location: Intersection of Church St. and Dodge Ave. (ETHS parking lot)
Indoor Farmer & Artisan Food Market:
Located at the Evanston Ecology Center, 2024 McCormick Blvd., on Saturdays from December through April from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. 40 vendors include local farmers and artisans. Dennis Clarkson, Winter Market manager, 847-864-7328, dclarkson@aol.com.
McGaw YMCA Market
Dates: May 28 through mid-October
Day/Time: Tuesdays, 7am to 1pm
Location: McGaw YMCA, 1000 Grove St.

Organization Name
Contact Person
Wendy Pollock
Phone Number
847-866-6248
Parent Organization
Description

Group is committed to caring for Evanston's trees by raising awareness of the value of Evanston's urban forest and promoting best practices in tree care among residents, local businesses and organizations. Organizes work days, family events and activities; offers classes in tree care at the Levy Center.
Meet regularly on the third Wednesday of the month at the Evanston Ecology Center; welcomes anyone who's interested in getting involved.

Address
1801 Crain St., Evanston, IL
60202
Contact Person
Gay Riseborough
Description

EWSP will gift to the City of Evanston a sculpture depicting a young suffragist with her bicycle,
honoring early Evanston women leaders and inspiring the City’s next generation.

Organization Name
Address
Intersection of Davis St., Orrington Ave., and Sherman Ave. in downtown Evanston.
Description

In the midst of the busy downtown shopping district, this small oasis with three fountains and benches is a good place to rest your feet.

Organization Name
Contact Person
Fern Allison
Contact Email
Phone Number
847-370-2293
Description

Founded in 1915, club members maintain the Shakespeare Garden on the Northwestern University campus, Butterfly Garden and Wildflower Garden at Grosse Pointe Lighthouse Park. Supports and participates in many other community projects.

Address
2024 McCormick Blvd., Evanston
60201
Phone Number
847-864-7238
Description

The Evanston Ecology Center's Indoor Winter Farmers’ Market is held from 8 a.m. to noon every Saturday, December 3, 2016 through April 29, 2017, except for December 24 and 31.

Location:  2024 McCormick Blvd., Evanston (Intersection of McCormick Blvd. and Bridge St.)

Parking: Parking is available in the lot across the street from the Ecology Center, accessible via McCormick Blvd. Parking will not be permitted in the Ecology Center Circle Drive.

Organization Name
Address
The Garden is located at Lake Street and Oak Avenue, one block east of Ridge Avenue
Phone Number
847-448-4311
Description

A small garden in central Evanston featuring beautiful roses during the summer, as well as the original Fountain Square Centennial Fountain. The Garden is open to the public and is available for rental for small wedding receptions and special occasions.

Organization Name
Address
YWCA Evanston/North Shore 1215 Church Street , Evanston, IL
60201
Contact Person
Trimmy Stamell, Race Director
Contact Email
Phone Number
847-864-8445. ext. 21
Fax
847-864-8498
Description

The Ricky Byrdsong Memorial Race Against Hate was started by Ricky's wife, Sherialyn, and his friends in memory of the former basketball coach at Northwestern University who was murdered by a racist in 1999. Proceeds benefit the work of the YWCA Evanston/North Shore, especially in areas of violence prevention and racial equity.
5K and 10K runs, a 5K walk and a fun youth mile.

Organization Name
Address
908 Seward, Evanston, IL
60201
Contact Person
Gary Rubin
Phone Number
773-608-3245
Fax
847-869-5667
Description

Evanston's community concert band, composed of 35 music lovers ranging in age from 12 to 80 with a wide range of musical performance experience. Provides an easy-going, fun and supportive environment in which to play. All performances are free and open to the public. New members are welcome and auditions are not required.

Rehearsals are held most Tuesday evenings at the David Wood Field House in Kamen Park East, (South Boulevard and Barton Avenue), in South Evanston from 7:30 to 9:30PM.

Organization Name
Address
908 Seward Street, Evanston, Illinois
60202
Contact Person
Park Director, Brian Rosinski; Program Director Natalie Sallee
Phone Number
847-869-5640
Fax
847-869-5667
Description

Seven parks, covering over 14 acres of parkland in south Evanston.
Ridgeville is a park district and public agency in south Evanston, Illinois. Named after a historical settlement around present-day Ridge Avenue, Ridgeville is dedicated to enriching the lives of its residents and neighbors through a variety of services:

The Ridgeville district in southeast Evanston is bounded on the south by Howard St., on the east by Chicago Ave., on the west by the North Shore Channel and on the north by Greenleaf St. It includes parks, sponsors free public events, camps and classes, and has its own farmers' market.

Tot and Youth Classes, Teen and Adult Classes, Winter & Spring Camps, Summer Camps, and T-Ball.
Rental space in the Ridgeville Community House or the David Wood Field House; call 847-869-5640 for more information about rentals.

Address
1701 Main St., Evanston, IL
60202
Phone Number
847-448-8258
Fax
847-328-9460
Description

The Community Center offers sports programs, classes in the visual and performing arts, after-school program and Preschool Programs for ages 2 to 5.
Dance classes include ballet, tap, ballroom and creative movement.
The Ice Complex provides ice skating, figure skating, hockey, speedskating and broomball. Skates may be rented to attend the public skating sessions and may be rented for use during skating classes.
Party rentals available.

Address
Ashland Avenue and Cetral Street, Evanston
Phone Number
For Tickets: (888) GO-PURPLE (467-8775)
Description

Home to the Northwestern Wildcats for Big Ten football, basketball, hockey and more.

Ticket Office Information
Northwestern University
Athletic Ticket Office
1501 Central Street
Evanston, IL 60208
888-GO-PURPLE (467-8775)

Hours:
August through April
Monday through Friday 9am to 5pm

May through July
Monday through Friday 9am to 4pm

Ryan Field was formerly named Dyche Stadium

Address
2024 McCormick Blvd, Evanston
60201
Contact Person
Stephanie Fine, SAGE Steering Committee member.
Phone Number
847-448-8256
Description

SAGE (Schools are Gardening in Evanston) is an outgrowth of the Dawes School Edible Garden Project which began in 2004. The gardening program now exists at several District 65 schools giving students the opportunity to plant, grow, harvest and eat fresh foods. Surplus food is donated to local food pantries. SAGE is overseen by the Evanston Environmental Association and the SAGE Steering Committee.
There are now 16 gardens in the Evanston school system.

Public Notes

The Evanston Environmental Association is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to the long-term success of the Evanston Ecology Center and its staff in their efforts to provide quality environmental education to the surrounding community. The EEA also works with other local green organizations and undertakes selected projects to produce environmental benefits for Evanston and its residents.

Organization Name
Address
2121 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL
60201
Contact Person
Margo Brown
Description

Designed in 1915 by Chicago landscape architect Jens Jensen, the intimate, meditative garden features a bas-relief of the Bard. Every plant in the garden was either mentioned in Shakespeare's plays or commonly grew in Tudor England. Located east of Sheridan Road, north of Garrett seminary. Popular wedding site. Maintained by the Garden Club of Evanston.

Public Notes

The garden is approximately 70 feet wide and 120 feet long. It is ringed by a double row of hawthorn trees that shade stone paths between the rows. The garden is divided into eight large flower beds, with the four outside beds planted “posy-fashion,” or somewhat informally. The four inner beds are knot-gardens surrounded by low boxwood hedges. In all of the flower beds, care has been taken to use plants that were either included in Shakespeare’s writings, common during his lifetime, or are modern cultivars of these older plants. A narrow lawn of grass is in the center of the garden and four large hawthorn trees mark the four corners.

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