Grab your friends as our popular monthly mixers are back! Enjoy a catered meal and entertainment or games.
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)!
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.
While summer doesn’t officially begin until June 20th, it’s safe to say it is officially feeling like summer! The trees are fully boasting their summer flair and the temperatures are slowly rising higher and higher! Make sure to soak up those rays and beautiful days by taking a visit to one of our amazing 28 parks (see this month’s Park Highlight below)!
We have a lot in store this month! Mark your calendars for our upcoming June events and MORE!
MAKE A SPLASH AT THE AQUATIC CENTER!
The Hunt Club Park Aquatic Center is NOW open! Enjoy fun all summer long!
Hours include:
Monday – Friday: 12:00 – 7:00pm
Saturdays & Sundays: 12:00pm – 7:00pm
*passholder only entry 11:00am-12:00pm
Holidays: 11:00am – 7:00pm
We have a busy summer planned! Visit our Aquatic Center event calendar here!
Visit for the day, or all summer long by purchasing your online day pass or 2024 season pass!
*Don’t forget to check Rainout Line for all weather-related updates!
FAMILIES ON THE FAIRWAY – 6/7
This Friday (6/7), get ready for our annual Families on the Fairway event at Bittersweet Golf Course! This event is FREE and FUN for the whole family! Friday, June 7
7:00-9:00pm
Bittersweet Golf Course | 875 Almond Road
MONTHLY MIXER – 6/14
Grab your friends as our popular monthly mixers have been extended through July!
NEW summer location: Gurnee Community Church | 4555 Old Grand Avenue, Gurnee, IL. 60031
As summer begins, let’s celebrate with an old-fashioned picnic, indoors of course! Lunch will include fried chicken, potato salad, vegetable and fruit trays, and dessert. Following lunch, we’ll play “Name That Tune” with singer and piano player, Robb Pedraza.
Friday, June 14 – 11:30am-1:00pm
*Doors open: 11:00am/lunch service begins at 11:30am
Registration deadline: 6/10
SOUNDS OF SUMMER CONCERT SERIES
Our Sounds of Summer concert series begins this month! See below for our upcoming June concerts:
June 13: Sounds of Summer Evening Concert – “90s Pop Nation” at Viking Park
(7:00-8:30pm)
June 18: Sounds of Summer Children’s Series: “Mary Macaroni” at Viking Park
(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! The team will be serving up FREE, sweet treats to guests (while supplies last)!
June 27: Sounds of Summer Evening Concert – “Radio Gaga” at Viking Park
(7:00-8:30pm)
*thank you to our sponsor, Old National Bank, for making this event possible!
Special thank you to the Gurnee Exchange Club, who will be onsite for our evening concerts selling concessions!
DEI CORNER – PRIDE MONTH
As we welcome the month of June, we also welcome Pride Month, a time to celebrate, remember, and continue the progress toward equality and acceptance for the LGBTQ+ community. Here at the Gurnee Park District, where the heart of our mission lies in fostering a welcoming environment for all members of our community, we embrace the significance of this month by reflecting on its origins and celebrating its importance.
PARK HIGHLIGHT – SHAW PARK
Head on over to the east side of Gurnee, just past Route 41, down Belle Plaine Avenue, and you will find…Shaw Park!
Tis’ the season to get outside, and Shaw Park is a great place to do just that! Tucked away in the quiet neighborhood near Spaulding School, Shaw Park is another one of Gurnee Park District’s finest locations. The park boasts an inviting playground for all ages, plenty of shade from mature trees, as well as a wooded walking path. If you’re looking to get in some extra steps, hop on over to the “Boulevard View Trail,” which connects to the park for an extra ¾ mile walking adventure.
Did you know? In 2018, the park received a makeover to its playground structures, including new slides, climbing features, a merry-go-round, a swing set, and a tot lot. In addition to plenty of new and exciting play features, our Parks Teams also added a large shade sail or kite, making picnics at the park the perfect summer activity!
UPCOMING SUMMER EVENTS
Mark your calendars for MORE fun throughout the summer!
Looking for a FUN and REWARDING job? We’re hiring!
Available positions include:
Business Services Specialist (FT)
Facility Maintenance I & II (FT & PT)
FitNation Childcare (PT)
Fitness Attendant (PT)
Group Exercise Instructor (PT)
Park Ambassador (PT)
Personal Trainer (PT)
Special Events Coordinator (PT)
Have a great month! We look forward to seeing you out and about at Gurnee Park District!
This event has been canceled. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Calling all Pickleball enthusiasts! Whether you’re a seasoned player or just starting to “dink” and “slam”, get ready to unleash your skills & compete against fellow pickleball enthusiasts at our upcoming Pickleball Tournament!
Date: Saturday, June 1
Time: 8:00am – 3:00pm
Location: O’Plaine Community Park
Fee: $65 (one registration per team of 2)
This men’s, women’s, and mixed doubles tournament is designed for adults ages 18+. All participants will receive a t-shirt. Once registered, email shirt sizes for you and your teammate to Chris Poole.
*Bring your own paddle and plenty of enthusiasm!
Gather your squad and get ready for an action-packed night of adrenaline-pumping Nerf battles and activities for the whole family to enjoy! Fuel up with a dinner of pizza, salad, and dessert before taking on the Nerf arena, complete with stations such as Nerf blaster target practice, a team battle zone for games like Capture the Flag and Team Elimination, as well as fun parachute games for all ages! All Nerf supplies, such as blasters, foam darts, and goggles will be provided (please leave your supplies at home).
Registration deadline is Tuesday, 4/9/24.
There are few American sporting events with the history and popularity of the Kentucky Derby. Its rich traditions – sipping a mint julep, donning a beautiful hat, and joining fellow race fans in singing “My Old Kentucky Home” are enjoyed across the country. While we can’t personally go to the “Running of the Roses” we can hold our own “Kentucky Derby” races at Viking Park. Put on your Sunday best, fix up your most outrageous hat, and bet on your favorite horses (with fake money) which you can then use to buy fun prizes. Enjoy a lunch of crispy chicken wrap, salad, fresh fruit, coleslaw, and of course dessert.
Registration deadline 5/9
