Waukegan, Illinois (June 1, 2023) – The Waukegan Park District’s Arts Park Program will be on the road bringing free arts and crafts to parks and events in Waukegan. Participants will have the opportunity to create art, including drawings, paintings, crafts, mosaics, sculptures, and more. The Arts Park Program began in 2011 and creates free art experiences throughout parks in the community.
The Arts Park Program will be in the following parks from 5:30pm to 6:30pm on the dates listed:
- Thursday, June 1, 2023 at Hinkston Park, 810 Baldwin Avenue
- Thursday, June 8, 2023 at Graham Park, 3935 Bertrand Lane
- Thursday, June 15, 2023 at Country Lane Park, 3353 Country Lane
- Thursday, June 22, 2023 at Arbor Park, 1151 Pleasant Hill Gate
- Thursday, June 29, 2023 at Bedrosian Park, 201 W. Liberty Street
- Thursday, July 6, 2023 at Bowen Park, 1800 N. Sheridan Road
- Thursday, July 13, 2023 at Eugene P. King, 301 South Avenue
- Thursday, July 20, 2023 at Clearview Park, 1523 N. McAree Street
- Thursday, July 27, 2023 at Upton Park, 732 N. Genesee Street
- Thursday, August 3, 2023 at Ben Diamond Park, 2413 Sunset Avenue
- Thursday, August 10, 2023 at Victory Park, 1325 North Avenue
The Arts Park Program is supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency. The mission of the Illinois Arts Council Agency is to build a strong, creative, and connected Illinois through the arts.
In 2022, the Arts Park Program was honored by the Illinois Association of Park Districts with the Arts in the Park Award. The award recognizes park districts, forest preserves, conservation, recreation, and special recreation agencies that support the arts and partner with artists and arts organizations to enhance the quality of life in their communities.
According to the National Recreation & Park Association, like traditional sports programs, the arts also foster positive growth for all ages. Arts help youth build self-confidence, improve self-expression, enhance problem solving, encourage innovation, and build community.
In addition to parks, the Arts Park Program will also travel to events throughout Waukegan, including the Waukegan Band Foundation’s concerts and Movies in the Park. Preregistration is not required. More information, including all the dates and locations, is available at waukeganparks.org/artspark.
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