Emily Oaks goes solar, April events, Golf Course opens +
March 26, 2021

As the Skokie Park District operates in Phase 4 of the Restore Illinois Plan,
the following are reminders and news updates for this week.


District Nature Center now solar powered
Emily Oaks Nature Center has always been the flagship facility for the Skokie Park District’s numerous green initiatives. Now the facility itself will live up to three decades of work by the district’s staff Environmental Action Team. 

On March 11, Windfree Solar completed the installation of 44 solar panels on the roof of the center. By day, these panels absorb available sunlight that is converted into usable electricity, providing power for appliances, office equipment, and HVAC fans and blowers. If the solar panels generate more power than the building can use, the excess energy is routed back to the grid and credited to Emily Oaks.
At night or on cloudy days, the electrical needs of the nature center continue to be supplemented by ComEd. In addition to the solar panels, a web-based monitoring program was installed, providing information on the output and operational effectiveness of the system. 

Bunny Visits and Egg Hunts in Skokie
The spring bunny and his eggs are everywhere in Skokie, with two events still available for sign up! For information and to register click the titles below:

Join us outside as we find as many eggs as we can in the dark! Bring your own flashlights and/or headlamps. We'll have pizza and games before heading outside. We'll wrap up the event with flashlight tag in the field at Oakton Park.

April 3 – Oakton Park
Our furry friend will visit the park, then pose for pictures and lead the kids on an egg hunt. Each family will receive one craft bag.
Golf Course set for April 5 opening!
The beautiful par 3, 9-hole Weber Park Golf Course is scheduled to open Monday, April 5, weather and turf conditions permitting. Tee time reservations are required and will be accepted seven days in advanced.

Call the pro shop at (847) 674-1500, ext. 3600 to make your reservation or for more information. Walk-ups will be accepted based on availability. We’ll see you soon on the first tee!
The Exploritorium is back, Skokie!
The Exploritorium has been closed for a year, but on March 30, Skokie's imagination playground is back in business with limited admissions!

Spring Break
Beginning Tuesday, March 30, every day through Friday, April 2, buy limited tickets for mornings, 9-11 a.m.

April 6 – New Hours
Beginning Tuesday, April 6, The Exploritorium will offer tickets for Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, 9-11 a.m. Tickets for April will go on sale on March 26. The facility will also be available for private parties and play dates.

Named Chicagoland's "Top Rainy Day Destination” by the Chicago Tribune, the Exploritorium is a place where children and adults explore together through interactive play. Make-believe in our costumed dress-up area, run your fingers through water in the water-play area, climb a wall, play with trains, experience new heights in our two-and-a half-story tubes and tunnels, and much more!
Reservations no longer required!
for workouts & walking track

Beginning on April 1
...Fitness First and the walking track will no longer require reservations!* While we will still observe time blocks and close every 90 minutes for sanitizing, we will no longer require that you have a reservation to come in for your workout.

Masks are still required at all times.

Weekday Time Blocks
6-7:30A / 8-9:30A / 10-11:30A / 12-1:30P / 2-3:30P / 4-5:30P / 6-7:30P

Saturday/Sunday Time Blocks
7-8:30A / 9-10:30A / 11A-12:30P / 1-2:30P / 3-4:30P / 5-6:30P

*In-person group fitness classes still require reservations.
Announcing April Happenings!

The district's April special events calendar is here! From an egg hunt to celebrations of nature, to Skokie's recycling event, click this calendar to find something unique for your family!