Weissburg Park is now an arboretum!

Also: final Halloween events, November Happenings +


October 28, 2022

Allan Weissburg Park awarded arboretum status

The Skokie Park District’s Allan Weissburg Park was recently awarded a Level I accreditation by the ArbNet Arboretum Accreditation Program for achieving standards of professional practices deemed important for arboreta and botanic gardens.


The park is now one of only 559 accredited arboretums in the world and is also recognized as an arboretum in the Morton Register of Arboreta, a database of the world’s arboreta and gardens dedicated to woody plants.


Weissburg Park, established in 1964, is located on an ancient sand ridge, the soil conditions making it an incredibly uncommon site in Skokie, and perfect for growing a wide assortment of trees.

When the park’s neighbors made it clear in the early 1990s that they were not interested in sports amenities or a playground in the small 1.75-acre park, district landscape staff began a slow, deliberate widening of the tree gene pool, making for a more beautiful park and a healthier ecosystem. Three decades later, Weissburg is a picturesque park, with a walking path and benches –– and is now an accredited world class arboretum.


“We are proud of the 78 trees growing here which represent 46 unique species,” said Jim Hallm, Skokie Park District landscape supervisor. “From red maple (Acer rubrum) to variegated sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua) to a Japanese snowbell (Styrax japonicus), Weissburg Park illustrates the great breadth of what can be done in arboriculture.”


Future plans for the park include tours, as well as classes in pruning and tree care. Eventually, landscape staff will attempt to move the park to arboretum Level II status, which will mean doubling the number of species to 100 or more.


For more information about the park's trees, contact Jim Hallm at jhallm@skokieparks.org.

Final 4 days: Scream Scene Haunted House!

With its iconic insane clown maze and chainsaw maniac, Scream Scene has been terrifying visitors for 25 years.


Parental discretion advised: Not recommended for children under 10 years old!


$13/person


Skokie Water Playground

4701 Oakton St.

Friday, October 28, 7-10 p.m.

*Saturday, October 29, 7-11 p.m.

Sunday, October 30, 7-9 p.m.

Friday, October 28, 7-9 p.m.


*Lights On Haunted House

 for families and younger children

 Saturday, October 29, 3-5 p.m. – $3/person


Click here for the website.

Purchase tickets here

Halloween Public Skate & Costume Contest

Join us for our annual Halloween public skate and costume contest!


Skatium Ice Arena

9340 Weber Park Pl.

Friday, October 28, 7:15–9:15 p.m.


Admission: $9 | Skate Rental: $3


Season passes do not apply to this event.



Kooky Spooky Candy Trail

Kids ages 2-13 will take a journey along a kooky, spooky candy trail at Oakton Park! This trail will feature entertaining and interactive stations where trick-or-treaters will collect candy. 


Oakton Park4701 Oakton St

Saturday, October 29, 3-5 p.m.


Trick-or-treaters must check in no later than 4:40 p.m. to participate.



Fee: $10/child

Register here

Devonshire Playhouse presents

The Mel Brooks Musical, Young Frankenstein

It's alive! This electrifying musical adaptation of Mel Brooks' monstrously funny film will leave you in stitches.


Devonshire Playhouse

4400 Greenwood St.

Saturday, October 29 at 7 p.m.

Sunday, October 30 at 3 p.m.   


Adults – $25

Students & Seniors – $20


Tickets are available at the Devonshire Playhouse Box Office and online below.

Purchase tickets here

Introducing: November Happenings!

If you are looking for new and unique ways to have fun in November, the Skokie Park District offers great one-day events, workshops, outings, special events and more. 


Click on the calendar below to view it and access its links.

Click here for the entire calendar of events at the Skokie Park District.

Flashlight Scavenger Hunt

Kids ages 9-13! Work with your team on this exciting glow-in-the-dark scavenger hunt. Clues will be hidden throughout Oakton Park for you to uncover on your race to first place. 


Bring your flashlights and we will provide the team glow sticks. Pizza will be served inside the Oakton Community Center before the hunt. This is a drop-off, staff-supervised event.


Oakton Community Center

4701 Oakton St

Thursday, November 3, 6:30-8 p.m.

Register here

Fall program registration is still on


The Skokie Park District offers you and your family an enormous variety of recreational, educational and fitness alternatives, including many fall special events.


Celebrate fall by finding a new program, class or hobby at your Skokie Park District today!


Registration for residents and non-residents is happening now! 

See the online Fall Program Guide here
Search & register for classes here
Visit our Website