Northbrook Park District offers a lineup of classes, programs and events this fall
This fall will mark the start of the $12.1 million renovation of the Northbrook Park District’s Leisure Center.
This carefully planned project will extend the life span of the facility — originally built in the 1960s as a school — with improvements geared to users of all ages.
While the Leisure Center construction takes place, classes and programs will be moved to other park district facilities. For details, check the Autumn Guide (mailed to all park district residents and available at nbparks.org).
Fall is a great time for children and adults to try out a new sport, or perfect their skills for competition.
Youth sports include baseball, basketball, football, lacrosse, soccer and volleyball, along with martial arts and introductory classes for cyclo-cross and skateboarding.
Families can save 10% if they register their children by July 25 for soccer and flag football leagues in the fall.
Adult sports include pickup basketball, pickup soccer and softball leagues, along with classes and clinics for paddle- and pickleball. Tennis lessons are offered for youth and adults.
The Northbrook Sports Center’s year-round indoor ice rinks welcome young skaters of all levels, from toddlers up to 17-year-olds, with a Skating School that follows the official Learn to Skate USA class curriculum. Also, on Aug. 23 and Dec. 6, the park district will offer a free skating class for children who are interested in learning to skate, to help determine class readiness. (Three-year-olds must be potty trained.)
The park district’s senior center offers trips to a variety of destinations, with round-trip transportation provided.
This fall, seniors can check out the Chicago Premium Outlets Mall on Sept. 4; lunch and shopping in picturesque Long Grove on Sept. 17; lunch and shopping in Chicago’s Greektown on Oct. 1; a performance of “Catch Me If You Can” at Marriot Lincolnshire on Oct. 9; and Gurnee Mills Mall on Oct. 30.
As always, the park district will be presenting a lineup of events for families and people of all ages as summer winds down and fall swoops in.
September marks the return of Northbrook Brewfest, an adults-only event held in conjunction with the village of Northbrook on Sept. 6 at Village Green Park, and Touch-A-Truck on Sept. 20 at Underwriters Laboratories, always a gracious partner for this fun and educational event for children.
Autumnfest will return on Oct. 5 at Meadowhill Park with all its customary family entertainment, including a petting zoo, horse trolley, pumpkin picking, arts and crafts, music and more.
In November, grab the spookiest Halloween costumes for the pooches and runners in your family for the Halloween Pet Parade on Oct. 23 and the Halloween 3K/Fun Run on Oct. 24, both at Techny Prairie Park and Fields.
The park district also offers the Turkey Shoot free-throw contest on Nov. 12, when winners of each age division can take home a turkey, and the Thanksgiving Lego Party on Nov. 26, when the little ones can build to their heart’s content with more than 100 pounds of Lego elements.
A new offering this year in December is Santa Paws on Dec. 20, a special event where dogs can take photos with Santa at Village Green Center.
Also in December, families can enjoy the traditional Holiday Craft Fair on Dec. 6, a Hanukkah Celebration on Dec. 7 and Breakfast with Santa on Dec. 13.
Registration for fall programs and classes begins at 9 a.m. July 30 for residents and 9 a.m. Aug. 7 for nonresidents. For more information and to register, visit nbparks.org or call (847) 291-2993.
Established in 1927, the mission of the Northbrook Park District is to enhance the community by providing outstanding services, parks and facilities through environmental, social and financial stewardship.