Park District Offers a Variety of Ways to Get Active This Summer at Citywide Parks
5/20/2011
From concerts and theater along the lakefront to movies in your local park, the Chicago Park District offers dozens of opportunities to get out and active this summer. For more information about the Chicago Park District, visit www.chicagoparkdistrict.com or call (312) 742-PLAY.
Tropical Summer Show
•May 21 – Sept. 25
•Lincoln Park Conservatory, 2391 N. Stockton Dr., 312-742-7736
•9 a.m. - 5 p.m. daily
•Admission free. Open to all ages.
Enjoy the lush backdrop of assorted tropical plants, featuring various begonias and hibiscus.
Back to the Beach
•May 27 – Sept. 5
•Swimming is allowed at the beaches from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted.
•312-742-5121
•Admission free
This summer, beach goers will find a variety of amenities, from bike rentals to great concessions. Beach goers can get the swim status at each beach by texting the beach name to 312.715.SWIM (7946). In addition, information on swim status can be accessed by calling the Chicago Park District Beach Hotline at 312-74-BEACH, checking www.chicagoparkdistrict.com, or Facebook and Twitter for the swim status at each beach.
Beach rules include: Swim only when lifeguards are present. Obey lifeguards. Follow posted beach rules. No glass on the beach. No alcohol. No smoking. Properly dispose of food, diapers and other refuse. Grilling is only allowed in designated areas and coals should be disposed in the provided containers.
Chicago Riverwalk
•Riverwalk runs along Wacker Drive and the south bank of the Chicago River from Franklin Street to Lake Shore Drive
•May 27 – September 5 (with some vendors remaining open through October, weather dependent)
•312.742.PLAY
•Admission free, but fees vary for the attractions
The Chicago Riverwalk, a river-level promenade offering visitors concessions that include riverfront cafes, tour boats and water taxis, bicycle rentals, and retail stands featuring crafts made by local women entrepreneurs, officially opens for the 2011 season Memorial Day Weekend. Tour boats, water taxis and bike rentals have already begun service for the 2011 season.
Tropical Summer Show
•May 28 – Sept. 25
•Garfield Park Conservatory, 300 N. Central Park Ave., 773-638-1766
•Open 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily, 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. Wednesdays
•Admission free. Open to all ages.
•www.garfieldconservatory.org
Enjoy the lush backdrop of assorted tropical plants, featuring various begonias and hibiscus.
City Wilds Festival
•June 11 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; June 12 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
•North Park Village Nature Center, 5801 N. Pulaski Rd., 312-744-5472
•Admission free. Open to all ages.
•www.chicagoparkdistrict.com
Celebrate Chicago’s backyard biodiversity during its annual City Wilds Festival. This year’s two-day free festival for all ages features a mini “BioBlitz.” There will be guided walks through the Nature Center’s four habitats (prairie, woodland, wetland, savanna) and visitors can help inventory and learn about the plants and animals found in the 46-acre preserve in a 12-hour period. The festival will also feature workshops on the benefits of landscaping with native plants from Trillim Landscapes and composting. There will be nature crafts and activities for all ages, music, storytelling and more.
Movies in the Parks
•More than 120 citywide parks
•June 14 – Sept. 16
•All movies begin at dusk weather permitting
•312-742-1134 for daily listings and updated weather-related cancellations
•Admission free
The Chicago Park District encourages Chicagoans to grab a picnic basket and a blanket to enjoy the 11th annual Movies in the Parks, featuring 174 screenings of current and classic movies. The series is presented by Charter One. Grove 5 at the northwest corner of Balbo and Columbus in Grant Park is a new Movies in the Parks location. Several of this year’s selections include screenings of Despicable Me, Some Like It Hot, Inception, The Social Network, True Grit (2010), and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. Click here for the Movies in the Parks 2011 schedule.
Theater on the Lake
•Fullerton Avenue and Lake Michigan
•June 15 – Aug. 7
•Wednesdays - Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., Sundays at 6:30 p.m.
•312-742-7994
•Single tickets $17.50, season subscription to all 8 plays $110
The 59th annual Theater on the Lake season features reprisals of eight artistically diverse Chicago theater companies. The season opens with The Improvised Shakespeare Company (June 15-19) and continues with popular productions by Infamous Commonwealth Theatre (June 22-26); At Play Productions in association with Chicago Dramatists (June 29-July 3); Griffin Theatre Company (July 6-10); Eclipse Theatre Company (July 13-17); Collaboraction (July 20-24); Bohemian Theatre Ensemble (July 27 – 31); and Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre (Aug. 3-7). Each production will be performed for five evenings only.
Grant Park Music Festival
•Millennium Park, North Michigan Ave. & East Randolph St.
•June 15 - Aug. 20
•312.742.7638
•Admission free
*Note to media: please call 312-742-1149 for press inquiries.*
The Grant Park Music Festival opens its 77th season June 15 at 6:30 p.m. with pianist Jean-Philippe Collard performing Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G major, on a program that also includes one of the most important pieces of the early Romantic period, Berlioz’s Symphonie fantastique. The Grant Park Music Festival's 77th season of free summertime classical music in Millennium Park with the Grant Park Orchestra and Chorus is led by Principal Conductor Carlos Kalmar and Chorus Director Christopher Bell, along with internationally acclaimed guest artists.
Outdoor Pools and Water Playgrounds
•June 17-Sept. 5
•Swimming is allowed from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted.
•312-742-5121
•Admission free for open swim, but fees vary for lap swim and instructional classes.
Many of the Chicago Park District pools have accessibility features such as accessible stairs, pool lifts and zero depth entry. Enjoy admission free open and family swims. Some pools offer lap swims plus instructional classes such as aquatic exercise and learn to swim. The Chicago Park District also offers swim team, swim club, water polo club and junior lifeguard programs for youth and teens.
Charter One Pavilion at Northerly Island
•June 21, additional dates to be announced
•1300 S. Lynn White Dr.
•312-540-2668
•Ticket prices vary
Charter One Pavilion at Northerly Island presents summer concerts along the lake, including Earth Wind & Fire June 21 at 8 p.m. Additional artists to be announced.
Performances in the Parks
•Various citywide parks
•June 21 – Sept. 17
•312-742-7529
•Admission free
Enjoy live music and dance in your local park. In addition to concerts, the popular Chicago Summer Dance series in the parks returns with the opportunity to hear live music and get a free dance lesson at select locations.
Taste of Chicago
•Grant Park
•June 24 – July 3
•11 a.m. - 8:30 p.m. from June 24-July 2, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. on July 3
•312-742-4387
•Admission free
Sample culinary offerings from Chicago’s various neighborhoods this summer as 59 restaurants serve a diverse menu along the lake. Taste of Chicago offers daily concerts, chef demos, and family programming. Food and beverage tickets are sold in strips of 12 for $8 (includes $2 charge for Taste amenities). Purchase food and beverage tickets in advance for only $6 per strip from June 16-23 when you show your Fresh Values Card at Dominick’s. Tickets are $8 per strip from June 24-July 3 while supplies last at Dominick’s.
Summer Day Camp
•More than 230 citywide parks
•June 27 – Aug. 5
•312-742-PLAY (7529)
•Fees vary and many slots fill quickly
Each summer, more than 30,000 campers ages 6-12 enjoy a season of supervised activity at more than 230 local parks. Children will go on field trips; explore nature, arts and culture; engage in sports and recreation; and enjoy pool time.
Meet the Bees
•July 23, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
•Garfield Park Conservatory, 300 N. Central Park Ave., 773-638-1766
•Admission is $3
•All ages
Celebrate the summer honey coming off the hives at Garfield Park Conservatory. Kid and family activities include designing bee goggles, crafting a nectar cup, learning a groovy bee hive dance, and exploring the growing ingredients of a special flower scavenger hunt. In addition, attendees will be able to purchase honey made by the Conservatory bees, listen to live music and sample some tasty honey from all over the world, including the special honey made right on the premises.
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