Waukegan Parks Foundation event to raise funds for healing garden

The Waukegan Parks Foundation invites the community to the Big Splash 2.0 Fundraiser from 5:30-8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 10, at the SplashZone in Corrine J. Rose Park, 412 S. Lewis Ave., Waukegan.

The event marks the official kick off for the WPF's fundraising campaign supporting the Waukegan Park District's efforts to build a healing garden at Victory Park.

The healing garden, which will be just steps away from Vista Medical Center East, will honor local first responders and frontline health care workers who continue to serve the community during the pandemic.

The Big Splash 2.0 Fundraiser will feature food, drinks, fun activities, and live music by the Blues Family Robinson.

A silent auction will give attendees the opportunity to bid on a variety of donated gifts from local partners, including accommodations for a trip to North Carolina and a gourmet dinner. Tickets are $60 per person.

Recently, the foundation and Waukegan Park District officially opened the Percussion Playground at Corrine J. Rose Park. The Percussion Playground features nine outdoor musical instruments, including drums, chimes, marimbas, and xylophones.

"The Waukegan Parks Foundation is grateful for the support from the community," foundation President Nathan Hintz said.

"This has been an exciting year of growth for the foundation, including our successful fundraising campaign to install the Percussion Playground at Corrine J. Rose Park. As an all-volunteer organization, all funds raised at the Big Splash 2.0 Fundraiser will allow us to continue to grow.

"We are excited to continue supporting our founding program, providing the important life skill of water safety to more than 1,200 local students, and for new opportunities like the healing garden at Victory Park."

Details and tickets are available at waukeganparks.org/foundation.