With summer reaching its peak, and the school year is just around the corner, we hope you’re not quite ready to say goodbye to summer! Here in Gurnee, there’s no shortage of activities to keep you busy and celebrate the season. See below several ways to stay active and continue enjoying those summer vibes.
HUNT CLUB PARK AQUATIC CENTER
The Hunt Club Park Aquatic Center is still open. Get your last summer swims in!
To see what we have planned visit our Aquatic Center event calendar here!
Visit for the day!
*Don’t forget to check Rainout Line for all weather-related updates!
WEEKEND ONLY HOURS BEGIN:
- CLOSED Monday – Friday, Starting Monday, August 12th
- OPEN Saturday – Sunday, Starting Saturday, August 17th (11am – 7pm)
- *11am – 12pm passholder entry only
- *12 pm – 7pm open to public
Enjoy the last days of summer at the pool! Our Passholder Appreciation Cookout will be hosted on Saturday, August 17th (12 – 8:00pm) More info HERE
SWIM SCHOOL LESSONS
Looking to keep swimming? Swim School is held at Fit Nation’s indoor pool. From the youngest swimmers (6 months) or our oldest (18+ adults), swimming is a lifelong skill. You are never too young or old to learn.
GURNEE DAYS – 8/10 & 8/11
A summer favorite, Gurnee Days, is quickly approaching. Enjoy family activities and entertainment for all ages. Join us for your favorite Gurnee Days traditions, such as delicious food, kid’s zone*, vendor booths, parade, one of the best fireworks shows in Lake County, and so much MORE!
*Kid’s Zone includes:
Euro Bungee*, Inflatable slide*, bumper cars*, bounce house, carnival games*, glitter tattoos, WNPL Bookmobile, and crafts
*with $10 wristband (available for pre-sale or day of)
**wristbands can be purchased online or at the Hunt Club Park Community Center front desk during regular business hours beginning Monday, August 5 – Saturday, August 10 at 8:00am.
Pre-purchased wristbands can be picked up at the Hunt Club Park Community Center on Friday, August 9.
SOUNDS OF SUMMER CONCERT SERIES
Join us for Sounds of Summer, our FREE summer concert series. The last two Sounds of Summer concerts of the season are this month! See below for our upcoming August concerts:
August 15: Sounds of Summer Evening Concert – “China Grove Doobie Brothers Tribute ”At Viking Park Band Shell (7:00 – 8:30pm)
August 20: Sounds of Summer Children’s Series: “Todd Downing Music” At Viking Park Band Shell (10:30 – 11:15am)
* We’re proud to partner with our friends at Forest Orthodontics & Pediatric Dentistry.
Forest Orthodontics & Pediatrics’ SMILE Ice Cream Truck will be onsite at our Children’s Concert! The team will be serving up FREE, sweet treats to guests (while supplies last)!
BEFORE & AFTER SCHOOL C.A.R.E.
Back to school season is right around the corner. Registration for C.A.R.E. (2024-2025 school year) is open. We offer before and after school options for students in Districts 50 & 56, as well as after school care for our Growing Tree Preschool. Make sure to register soon, as there are limited spots available.
Looking for a fun and rewarding job? Join our Before and After School CARE Team! We’re on the lookout for awesome counselors aged 16 and up. If you love working with kids and want a job that’s both fun and rewarding, we’d love to hear from you. Apply now and be part of our great team!
LABOR DAY HOURS
Please note that our facilities will be operating under the following holiday hours:
- 9/2 – Hunt Club Park Aquatic Center: OPEN 11:00am – 7:00pm
- 9/2 – Hunt Club Park Community Center: CLOSED
- 9/2 – FitNation on Nations Drive: OPEN 7:00am – 12:00pm
- 9/2 – Viking Park Community Center: CLOSED
UPCOMING EVENTS
MONTHLY MIXER 9/10 – “Fall in Line”
Get out your cowboy boots and hat and let’s celebrate the start of Fall with a good ole’ country Line Dance. Lunch includes pulled chicken sandwich, coleslaw, chips, & dessert. Following lunch, we will learn some line dancing steps from Susan Moore, our favorite line dancing instructor.
* Registration Deadline 9/5.
Doors open at 11:00am. Lunch service begins at 11:30am
BONFIRES & BREWS 9/21 – A Taste of Gurnee
Join Gurnee Park District at Bittersweet Golf Course for “Bonfires and Brews: A Taste of Gurnee”! Unwind by the fire while enjoying live music, tasting your favorite adult beverage, savoring the flavors of local food vendors, and chatting with friends! Or compete with friends at Axe Throwing, Giant Jenga, and Giant Connect 4. Drinks and food will be available for purchase from local Gurnee brewers and food vendors at this adult-only event!
Saturday, September 21 (7:00-11:00pm)
Bittersweet Golf Course | 875 Almond Road
Admission fee: $10 per person
* Ages 21+
Skip the lines and register online!
Mark your calendars for MORE fun!
View Special Events Schedule here!
Looking for a FUN and REWARDING job? We’re hiring!
Available positions include:
- CARE Counselor
- Preschool Teacher
- Customer Service Representative
- Facility Maintenance I & II
- FN Childcare Coordinator
- And MORE!
Click here for more information and to apply!
Have a great month! We look forward to seeing you out and about at Gurnee Park District!
While adults across the country are casting their votes, we’re turning Election Day into a fun and educational experience for the kids at Gurnee Park District.
Are you looking for something for your child to do on the next day off school? Let us take care of the planning. Registration closes one week prior to the program date. Non- Park district residents who reside in Districts 50 or 56 receive resident rates for that specific program.
what to bring:
– Lunch
– Water Bottle
– Appropriate outerwear as some activities may be held outside
The program time is 6:30am-6:00pm. Children can be dropped off as early as 6:30am and picked up by 6:00pm. Themed activities will take place between 9:00a-3:00pm.
Tuesday, November 11th
Get ready for a day filled with cozy autumn activities at our Fall Fun Day! From pumpkin painting to wearing Halloween costumes, join us as we offer a variety of fall activities to celebrate the autumn season.
Are you looking for something for your child to do on the next day off school? Let us take care of the planning. Registration closes one week prior to the program date. Non- Park district residents who reside in Districts 50 or 56 receive resident rates for that specific program.
what to bring:
– Lunch
– Water Bottle
– Appropriate outerwear as some activities may be held outside
The program time is 6:30am-6:00pm. Children can be dropped off as early as 6:30am and picked up by 6:00pm. Themed activities will take place between 9:00a-3:00pm.
Monday, October 14th
Throw on your favorite PJ’s and join us for a fun filled pajama party!
Are you looking for something for your child to do on the next day off school? Let us take care of the planning. Registration closes one week prior to the program date. Non- Park district residents who reside in district 50 or 56 receive resident rates for that specific program.
what to bring
– Lunch
– Water Bottle
– Appropriate outerwear as some activities may be held outside.
The program time is 6:30am-6:00pm. Children can be dropped off as early as 6:30am and picked up by 6:00pm. Themed activities will take place between 9:00a-3:00pm.
Thursday, October 3rd
Grab your friends as our popular monthly mixers are back! Enjoy a catered meal and entertainment or games.
November- Smokey the War Dog
Join us at the Gurnee Park District as we celebrate Veteran’s Day and enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving feast of turkey, mashed potatoes, corn, stuffing, roll, and pumpkin pie for dessert. Following lunch listen to the story about a most unlikely war hero and the most decorated dog from WWII, “Smokey the War Dog” as told by producer and presenter Adrian Brigham. Her amazing true story is one that captivates and warms the hearts of all who hear it.
Tuesday, November 12th
Doors open at 11:00am. Lunch service begins at 11:30am.
*Registration Deadline 11/7
Grab your friends as our popular monthly mixers are back! Enjoy a catered meal and entertainment or games.
October- Step Back in Time Halloween Party
Dress up as your favorite TV character from your childhood as we Fall Back in Time and celebrate Halloween!! The afternoon begins with lunch of lasagna, garlic bread, and salad from Tina’s Café followed by a costume contest. Then fall back in time and enjoy Todd Hunt’s in person presentation “The Making of I Love Lucy”.
Participants will:
• Learn about how the most popular show in television history was created
• Discover how the show grew out of Lucille Ball’s radio show.
• Explore production techniques pioneered by Desi Arnaz, including the three-camera concept and the invention of reruns.
• Delve into the life stories of Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz, Vivian Vance and William Frawley.
Doors open at 11:00am. Lunch service begins at 11:30am
*Registration Deadline 10/3.
Grab your friends as our popular monthly mixers are back! Enjoy a catered meal and entertainment or games.
September-Fall in Line
Get out your cowboy boots and hat and let’s celebrate the start of Fall with a good ole’ country Line Dance. Lunch includes pulled chicken sandwich, coleslaw, chips, & dessert. Following lunch, we will learn some line dancing steps from Susan Moore, our favorite line dancing instructor.
Registration Deadline 9/5.
Doors open at 11:00am. Lunch service begins at 11:30am
All aboard!!! Inspired by the popular children’s book, join Gurnee Park District for a magical event that includes a holiday train ride and lots of FUN along the way! Participants will enjoy an interactive story with music, singing, dancing, and many surprises as they make their way to their destination – the “North Pole”! Once there, Mr. and Mrs. Claus will jump onboard to share a quick visit and hand out one very special gift to each child before everyone makes the journey back home!
Important information: All participants will board at the Grayslake Train Station (Lake Street & St. Paul Street, Grayslake, IL). When you arrive, GPD staff will guide you to the boarding locations. Please arrive 15 minutes early to check-in at the station – the train will not wait for latecomers.
All children must be accompanied by a paying adult and each person attending must be registered for the event. No “at-the-door” registrations will be accepted. The Gurnee Park District is not responsible for delayed, cancelled, or missed trains due to Metra’s scheduling.
PARENTS: Please check the email we have in your GPD online account and make sure it is correct. We send out information via email prior to the event and we are not responsible for incorrect/old email addresses or emails that go to spam.
Registration for residents begins Friday, November 1, 2024, and non-residents Friday, November 15, 2024.
Join the GO Gurnee Walking Club at South Ridge Park (285 Southridge Drive, Gurnee, IL)!
View map location here!
Directions/Walk Details: Three connected 1-mile loops in the heart of Gurnee. We’ll walk North to Washington, turn around, and then take a small loop to Murifield before returning to the parking lot. 2nd loop goes through subdivision @ Gages Lake & Hunt Club. 3rd loop goes behind houses to the East along the field. Mostly flat. Paved. Pets allowed. Limited parking with overflow parking on the street.
Not a Walking Club member? Join for FREE today!
Join Gurnee Park District at Bittersweet Golf Course for “Bonfires and Brews: A Taste of Gurnee”! Unwind by the fire while enjoying live music by musician Matthew Nanke, tasting your favorite adult beverage, savoring the flavors of local food vendors, and chatting with friends! Or, compete with friends at Axe Throwing, Giant Jenga, Spike Ball, golf billiards, and Giant Connect 4.
Drinks and food will be available for purchase from local Gurnee brewers and food vendors at this adult-only event!
Food Vendors include:
El Durango
Gurnee Donuts
Lola’s Tacos
Nothing Bundt Cakes
Primo
Teriyaki Madness
Top Shelf Bar & Grill
Drink Vendors include:
Bittersweet Golf Club -beer & liquor
Birch Beverages – beer & liquor
Lola’s Tacos – Margaritas
Pips Meadery – Handcrafted meads
Primo – Wine
Saturday, September 21
7:00-11:00pm
Bittersweet Golf Course | 875 Almond Road
Ages 21+
No entry fee.
900 N Hunt Club Rd
