Young Asian woman practice downhill sliding snowboard on snow mountain at ski resort

Neighborhood News: Truly, A Park District for All Seasons

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Young Asian woman practice downhill sliding snowboard on snow mountain at ski resort

Baby, it’s cold outside! But for those who love the great, snowy outdoors, the Chicago Park District has a long history of providing indoor and outdoor adventures for every preference, every season.

Are you a ‘snowbird’ who loves the great outdoors in January? Here’s your program: Chicago Park District is hosting Polar Adventure Days at Big Marsh Park, 11559 S. Stony Island Avenue On January 20 and February 17, from noon- 3pm, you can see Husky teams sled around the park, enjoy guided bird hikes, listen to live music, make a nature-inspired winter craft, and listen to stories around an outdoor bonfire with storyteller ‘Mama Edie’ while sipping hot cocoa. Polar Adventure Days is part of the ‘Night Out in the Parks’ initiative, which features more than 1,000 citywide cultural and arts activities in the parks throughout the year.

For more information, call (312) 742-PLAY (7529).

Other outdoor activities include skating at Maggie Daley Park Skating Ribbon at Grant Park, Ice Skating at Millennium Park hiking on trails, and other great opportunities to enjoy Chicago’s crisp weather this month. 

 For indoor types, there’s Aquatics Programs. Swimming is an important life skill, as well as a chance to get ready for beach season! The Chicago Park District offers an incentive: children and youth, ages 6-17, can take a 10-session introductory swim class for FREE!

As they sayontheir website, “Whether you are 16 months old or 90 years young, there is a Chicago Park District aquatics program for you.  Classes include Parent and Tot Swim; Tiny Tot Swim; Youth, Teen and Adult Learn to Swim; Swim Team; Water Polo; Aquatic Exercise and more!”

Wet hair not your thing? Is Olympic Gold Medalist Simone Biles a role model? How about gymnastics? he Chicago Park District’s gymnastic centers offer quality instruction for beginners to advanced competitors year-round, with excellent training facilities and instructors. Find your class by clicking here.

Chicago Park District also has Basketball, Softball Instruction, Acting, Archery, Arts and Crafts, and hundreds more to choose from. Winter classes meet from now to mid-March. A complete list is available by clicking here.  

Enjoy winter, everyone!

Alison Moran-Powers and Dean’s Team Chicago