Waukegan Park District announces 2025 Arts Park Program Season
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, sculptures and more. The Arts Park Program was established in 2011 to create a free arts experience throughout parks in the community.
The Arts Park Program will be in parks on the following dates from 5:30-6:30 p.m.:
• Thursday, June 5, at Upton Park, 732 N. Genesee St.
• Thursday, June 12, at Bevier Park, 2255 W. York House Road
• Thursday, June 26, at Ben Diamond Park, 2413 Sunset Ave.
• Thursday, July 3, at Hinkston Park, 810 Baldwin Ave.
• Thursday, July 10, at Bowen Park, 1800 N. Sheridan Road
• Thursday, July 17, at Diversity Park, 4499 W. Hill Ave.
• Thursday, July 24, at Corrine J. Rose Park, 412 S. Lewis Ave.
• Thursday, July 31, at Eugene P. King Park, 301 South Ave.
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 25th Annual Ray Bradbury’s Dandelion Wine Arts & Music Festival, the Waukegan Band Foundation concerts and the Movies in the Park. Preregistration is not required to participate. More information, including all the dates and locations, is available at waukeganparks.org/artspark.