Crystal Lake Park District News

Calendar of Events

Summer Digital Brochure

Registration deadline is 3 days in advance

of program date unless noted otherwise

FALL 2023 Activity Guide: the fall digital activity guide goes live on August 15 at

8:30 am and registration opens that same day. All residences in the 60014 and

60012 zip codes should receive a print guide in the mail by August 22.

Wagon Rides

Truck or Treat

Puzzle Palooza

Flannel Fest

The Christmas Tree Ship: A Holiday Tea

Luminaria Walk

NEW Nature Center Programs

NEW Colonel Palmer House Programs

NEW Tot-Teen Programs

Youth Athletics

Girls After School Basketball

Martial Arts

Tennis Lessons

Fitness & Yoga

Dance (ages 18 months and up)

Fall Adult Softball Leagues

Adult Volleyball Leagues

Adult Trips

Art Programs

Active Adult Programs

Extended Time

Lippold Family Golf Center

Crystal Lake Park District Nature Center

Colonel Palmer House

The Racket Club

Grand Oaks Active Adult Center

Barlina House Preschool

Boat Gate Key Cards

Fisherman Key Cards

Hound Town Dog Park

Facility Rentals

August Special Events

Calling all country fans!! HILLBILLY ROCKSTARZ are playing the bandshell at 7 pm at Crystal Lake Main Beach for Concerts in the Park. FREE!

Come early at 6 pm for a pre-concert Line Dance Lesson or enjoy dinner from food trucks on site: Kissed by Fire, Hippie Grilled Cheese, My Funnel

Food and beverage (beer and wine) and small charcoal grills are allowed (no glass please.) In the event of inclement weather, decision to cancel the concert will be made by 4 pm. Check status by calling 815.410.4475 ext 6.

Special Events

FREE Beach Day, No Beach Admission Fee

Sun, Aug 11, 12:30-4:30 pm at Main Beach

The Monarch Coalition is bringing to the beach an engaging Monarch Fair loaded with activities, games and monarch education. Buy a pollinator plant and help us repopulate the monarchs! Wander to the band shell where we will be showcasing local bands for your entertainment.

12:30-4 pm: Monarch Fair

Migrate to the beach for the afternoon to enjoy Monarch Mania and learn all about Monarchs. A Monarch extravaganza with butterfly and pollinator plants information, face painting, science table activities, art activities, a big migration route map, information on how Mexico, Canada and USA are collaborating! We will have pollinator plants available for you to purchase from our participating nurseries.

1-4:30 pm: Community Band Showcase

The Crystal Lake Community Band hosts a music showcase at the band shell featuring performances by local bands and ensembles

1-1:45 pm Knock on Wood Clarinet Ensemble

2-2:30 pm CLCB Saxophone Quartet

2:45-3:15 pm CLCB Flute Quartet

3:30-4:15 pm CLCB Big Band Jazz Band

Hosted by The Monarch Coalition and the Crystal Lake Park District.

Presented by the Friends of Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge in conjunction with US Fish & Wildlife & multiple local conservation organizations.

Something NEW just for seniors this summer-A Sunset Wine & Cheese Social

Ages 55+

Enjoy 4-two ounce pours of wine, cheese pairings along with a dessert table. Learn about the wine from each region as we enjoy the Crystal Lake sunset. Pontoon boat rides offered, weather permitting.

Wed, Aug 21, 5:30-7:30 pm

$20 res/$25 non-res

reg by Aug 15

More Info & Registration

FREE, FAMILY FUN

Sat, Aug 24, 10 am-2 pm (rain date Aug 25)

Colonel Palmer House, 660 E. Terra Cotta, Crystal Lake

FREE

Discover what it takes to build a home, learn historic cooking practices and recipes

Also explore the traditions at Palmer’s Corner:

Palmer Family Heritage
Historic Cooking and Recipes
Architecture Relay Race-How Fast Can You Build?
Kitchen Garden Heirlooms
Family Crest Crafts
Backyard Games

Questions?

Pickleball Festival Tourney!

Sat, Aug 31 | 9 am - 2:30 pm at Spoerl Park

Try your hand in one or several of our divisions and make a day of it! When you're not playing, you can watch others dink around and enjoy food & beverages from your local Crystal Lake Dunkin'/Baskin Robbins If we're really lucky, we might even get a special appearance out of Cuppy the Cup!

Only $30 per team in the gender-specific divisions

More Info & Ticket Link

Out and About in the Community

More Info

Come out and say "hi!" at

Crystal Lake Police Department

National Night Out

Th, Aug 8, 5-8 pm

Downtown Crystal Lake

Williams St, South of Brink St

Crystal Lake Park District staff and Crystal Lake Park District Police Officers will be on hand with information, goodies and giveaways!

Seasonal Updates

It's not too late to consider Barlina House Preschool enrollment for the 2024-2025 school year! We have a few spots left in classes for 3 and 4 year olds.

More Info

Family Golfing Fun just FORE you at Lippold Family Golf Center!

1251 W. Route 176, Crystal Lake

Stop by for a round of miniature golf or time on the driving range.

Please note:

Mini Golf groups will not be allowed to start 45 minutes before close

Driving Range patrons will not be allowed to start 30 minutes before close

Summer Hours: through Aug 11

M, W, Th, Su: 9 am-9 pm

Tu: Noon-9 pm

Fri & Sat: 9 am-10 pm

Fall Hours: Aug 12-Sep 29

Fri: 3:45-8 pm

Sat & Sun: 9 am-8 pm

Plan Your Visit

Splash Pads are Open

Through Labor Day

Acorn Alley

Located at Veteran Acres Park, corner of Walkup Ave and Rt 176

Crystal Castle

850 Willow Tree, Crystal Lake

By request from families looking for a quieter, less active time for toddlers and tots. Tot Time, 9-10 am daily at both Acorn Alley and Crystal Castle.

More Info