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Initiative welcoed over 2,000 girls in 2023 events

CHICAGO — Girls Day of P.L.A.Y. is a free opportunity for girls ages 6 to 16 to enjoy a day of sports, crafts, and companionship while Chicago Public Schools have a day off. A total of 20 Chicago Park District locations will be hosting girls from local communities on February 9, 2024 in a series of activities aimed at inspiring positivity, leadership, ambition and self-confidence in girls citywide. Activity hours and ages vary by park. 

“The Chicago Park District is committed to providing safe and exciting spaces for Chicago’s youth to express themselves through recreation,” said General Superintendent and CEO Rosa Escareño. “Girls Day of P.L.A.Y. is one of many opportunities that allow young girls to get out of their comfort zone. Though schools are off for the day, there is plenty of learning and growing to be done at the parks!” 

Girls Day of P.L.A.Y. is expanding with every session. New this year,  Archer Park, located at 4901 S. Kilbourn Ave., will join the list of parks offering this event for the first time ever in their community. In addition, Harrison Park, located at 1824 S. Wood St., will host an all-water polo clinic. 

In 2023, the Chicago Park District boasted over 141,000 youth female enrollment across all recreational programming.  

For more information regarding Girl’s Day of P.L.A.Y., please visit www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/girls-play.

About the Girls P.L.A.Y. Initiative 

The Chicago Park District has exercised the Girls P.L.A.Y. initiative since 2018 to facilitate young women’s access to sport and introduce them to activities that are not otherwise offered as part of school athletic programs. In 2023, the initiative expanded to include the girls-only Track and Field Meet and a girls-only Boxing Show at Wicker Park. Nearly 2,000 girls participated in the Girls Day of P.L.A.Y. events during two Chicago Public Schools days of non-attendance for students.  Amid enthusiasm from parents and participants alike, the Chicago Park District is excited to host yet another Girls Day of P.L.A.Y. on February 9, 2024.                                                             

Girls Day of P.L.A.Y. Sites on February 9, 2024:  

  • Archer Park, 4901 S. Kilbourn Ave., 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  
  • Carver Park, 939 E. 132nd St., 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 
  • Eckhart Park, 1330 W. Chicago Ave., 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. 
  • Ellis Park, 3520 S. Cottage Grove Ave., 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 
  • Fosco Park, 1313 S. Racine Ave., 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 
  • Garfield Park, 100 N. Central Park Ave., 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 
  • Gill Park, (825 W. Sheridan Rd., 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. 
  • Hale Park, 6258 W. 62nd St., 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. 
  • Harris Park, 6200 S. Drexel Ave., 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. 
  • Harrison Park, 1824 S. Wood St., 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. 
  • Independence Park, 3945 N. Springfield Ave., 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. 
  • LeClaire-Hearst Park, 5120 W. 44th St., 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 
  • Mt. Greenwood Park, 3721 W. 111th St., 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. 
  • Olympia Park, 6566 N. Avondale Ave., 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. 
  • Ping Tom Park, 1700 S. Wentworth Ave., 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 
  • Pottawatomie Park, 7340 N. Rogers Ave., 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. 
  • Shabbona Park, 6935 W. Addison St., 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. 
  • Sherman Park, 1301 W. 52nd St., 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. 
  • Welles Park, 2333 W. Sunnyside Ave., 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. 
  • West Lawn Park, 4233 W. 65th St., 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.