Waukegan, Illinois (July 26, 2023) – The Waukegan Park District and Waukegan Police Department are partnering to host the 2023 Touch a Truck and Waukegan Night Out on Friday, August 4, 2023 from 5pm to 8pm at the Waukegan Municipal Beach, located at 201 E. Seahorse Drive. Attendees of all ages will have the opportunity to see, touch, and explore trucks, police vehicles, machines, and more.
The Waukegan Police Department will be celebrating National Night Out, an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie. Police officers will interact with children and their families through hands-on activities and exhibitions, including a K-9 unit demonstration.
Following the event, the Waukegan Park District will host a free movie at the Stiner Pavilion. The movie will be family-friendly, with free popcorn available while supplies last. Attendees are encouraged to bring snacks, blankets, chairs, picnic gear, and insect repellent.
Jeremiah Johnson, President of the Waukegan Park District Board of Commissioners, stated, “The Waukegan Park District is grateful for the ongoing partnership with the Waukegan Police Department to host this popular community event. Intergovernmental partnerships like these are an effective way to build community.”
Jay Lerner, Executive Director of the Waukegan Park District, stated, “The Waukegan Park District and the Waukegan Police Department are co-hosting Touch a Truck and Waukegan Night Out to give children and their families an opportunity to have fun, explore, and learn. This partnership creates memories for hundreds of children in our community.”
Chief Edgar Navarro of the Waukegan Police Department stated, “Our partnership with the Waukegan Park District to co-host Touch a Truck and Waukegan Night Out is one of the ways that police officers have positive interactions with children and their families. We are grateful for the ongoing relationship with the Waukegan Park District that makes this annual event possible.”
Preregistration is not required to attend this free, family-friendly event. More information is available at waukeganparks.org/touchatruck.
About the Waukegan Park District
Established on December 26, 1916, the Waukegan Park District (WPD) has 53 properties and more than 742 acres of land, including the 18-hole Bonnie Brook and 9-hole Greenshire Golf Courses. Properties are managed to the highest environmental and conservation standards. Facilities operated by the WPD include the Field House Sports, Fitness and Aquatics Center, Waukegan’s Greg Petry SportsPark, Waukegan Skate Park, BMX Track, SplashZone, Percussion Playground, recreational centers, disc golf course, dog exercise area and agility course, outdoor sports fields, picnic areas, playgrounds, splash pads, and sports courts including basketball, tennis and pickleball. A full range of programs and services are offered year-round for all ages, from infants to seniors, as well as special need populations. Healthy lifestyles, wellness initiatives, and a connection with the outdoors and nature are integrated throughout programs, services, and special events. Arts and cultural activities are provided by the Jack Benny Center for the Arts, Waukegan Symphony Orchestra and Concert Chorus, and the Waukegan History Museum. We offer something for everyone!
A member of the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), Illinois Association of Park Districts (IAPD), Illinois Park and Recreation Association (IPRA), and the Park District Risk Management Agency (PDRMA), the WPD employs 73 full-time and 219 part-time, seasonal, and temporary employees and is recognized by the IPRA as an Exceptional Workplace.
Nationally accredited by the NRPA Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA) and State accredited through the IAPD Distinguished Agency Accreditation, the WPD has received the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) Triple Crown Award for receiving the GFOA’s Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting, Popular Annual Financial Reporting Award, and the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award. The WPD was awarded the NRPA National Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management in 2013, and was named a Gold Medal Finalist in 2012, 2013, 2019, 2021, 2022, and 2023.
Media Contact
Josue Pasillas, MPA
Communications Supervisor
Waukegan Park District
(847) 360-4789
jpasillas@waukeganparks.org
waukeganparks.org