Summer has come to a close, which means fall is officially here! After a busy summer, the arrival of fall is always a welcoming time, especially when the air gets a little cooler (hopefully soon?), the leaves start to show off their vibrant hues of amber and gold, and every walk outside becomes a peaceful yet cozy adventure. As we transition towards this amazing time of year, I am excited to share with you some of the ways you can make the most of fall here at Gurnee Park District.

Stepping outside this season, you will find that around every corner of our 28 parks, there’s a spot for you to enjoy all that fall has to offer. Whether traversing one of our 14 walking paths, watching the sunrise on a quiet morning, or spending time with your little ones on one of our many playgrounds, our parks offer a safe and scenic setting to create lasting memories of fun all season long.

Fitness, as always, remains a year-round priority at Gurnee Park District, and we offer a variety of ways to support your health goals this fall. If you enjoy being outdoors, sign up for our FREE GO Gurnee Walking Club. With weekly meetings every Saturday throughout the year, our Walking Club provides an opportunity to enjoy the autumn surroundings, while logging in some extra miles. As the temperatures drop, head on over to our indoor fitness facility, FitNation. With over 50 group exercise classes, two convenient locations, and countless amenities, FitNation makes it easy to tackle your fitness goals any day of the week.

The excitement of fall also marks a special time for growth and learning. It was so exciting to welcome back the return of our Growing Tree Preschool and Before/After School CARE participants. Throughout the year, students are provided meaningful lessons, activities, and all the fun that makes our programs the first step towards a love for learning. Along with the start of our school programs, we are also pleased to continue to offer our indoor swim lessons, youth basketball leagues, dance classes, and many other flexible and cost-effective options.

In addition to our facilities and program offerings, we will also be hosting a variety of fun events for all ages to enjoy. Celebrate the beauty of fall at “Halloween Fall Fest” on Saturday, October 12. This family event, originally held at Viking Park, will now be hosted at our Hunt Club Park Community Center and will include all things fall – hayrides, “Trick-or-Treating,” crafts, games, kids entertainment shows, food trucks, and MORE! As fall continues, don’t forget to sign up for events such as “Family Art Night,” “Breakfast with Santa,” and our popular “Arctic Express” train ride!

Finally, as I reflect on the year gone by, I would like to take this opportunity to extend my gratitude to all of our staff, volunteers, members, and community. Thank you for all the work you do on a daily basis, for your time and contributions to programs and events, and for continuing to choose Gurnee Park District. I am truly honored to serve you.

Susie Kuruvilla, CPA, CPRP
Executive Director