Waukegan, Illinois (April 21, 2023) – The Waukegan Park District will be hosting several GO WAUKEGAN walks in 2023. The outdoor walks are free events intended to encourage the community to walk at least thirty minutes every day.
In collaboration with the Lake County Health Department, the Waukegan Park District launched GO WAUKEGAN, a community initiative to improve the health and wellness of local residents by enhancing and increasing the shared experience of walking through activities, education, and collaboration.
The GO WAUKEGAN walks will be held on the following dates:
- GO Walk on Saturday, April 22, 2023 from 9am to 10am at Hinkston Park, 810 Baldwin Avenue
- GO Walk on Saturday, June 17, 2023 from 9am to 10am at Hinkston Park, 810 Baldwin Avenue
- Glow Walk on Wednesday, August 16, 2023 from 7pm to 8pm at Corrine J. Rose Park, 412 S. Lewis Avenue
- Zombie Walk on Saturday, October 21, 2023 from 9am to 10am at Hinkston Park, 810 Baldwin Avenue
- Winter Wonder Walk on Saturday, December 2, 2023 from 4pm to 5pm in Downtown Waukegan*
*The Winter Wonder Walk will be held in conjunction with the City of Waukegan’s Tree Lighting Ceremony hosted by Waukegan Main Street.
Each walk will have a unique theme, including a Glow Walk, Zombie Walk, and Winter Wonder Walk. The 2019 Glow Walk was awarded the Division II Outstanding Program or Special Event Award at the 2020 Illinois Association of Park Districts/Illinois Park and Recreation Association Soaring to New Heights Conference.
Additional events will be held as part of GO WAUKEGAN, including the George Bridges 5K Run/Walk on Saturday, September 16, 2023 from 9am to 11am and Turkey Trot on Saturday, November 11, 2023 from 10am to 11:30am.
Preregistration is not required to participate in the walks. In case of inclement weather, walks will be postponed until a new date has been determined. More information about GO WAUKEGAN walks is available at waukeganparks.org/gowaukegan.
About the Waukegan Park District
Established on December 26, 1916, the Waukegan Park District (WPD) has 53 properties and more than 742 acres of land, including the 18-hole Bonnie Brook and 9-hole Greenshire Golf Courses. Properties are managed to the highest environmental and conservation standards. Facilities operated by the WPD include the Field House Sports, Fitness and Aquatics Center, Waukegan’s Greg Petry SportsPark, Waukegan Skate Park, BMX Track, SplashZone, Percussion Playground, recreational centers, disc golf course, dog exercise area and agility course, outdoor sports fields, picnic areas, playgrounds, splash pads, and sports courts including basketball, tennis and pickleball. A full range of programs and services are offered year-round for all ages, from infants to seniors, as well as special need populations. Healthy lifestyles, wellness initiatives, and a connection with the outdoors and nature are integrated throughout programs, services, and special events. Arts and cultural activities are provided by the Jack Benny Center for the Arts, Waukegan Symphony Orchestra and Concert Chorus, and the Waukegan History Museum. We offer something for everyone!
A member of the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), Illinois Association of Park Districts (IAPD), Illinois Park and Recreation Association (IPRA), and the Park District Risk Management Agency (PDRMA), the WPD employs 73 full-time and 219 part-time, seasonal, and temporary employees and is recognized by the IPRA as an Exceptional Workplace.
Nationally accredited by the NRPA Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA) and State accredited through the IAPD Distinguished Agency Accreditation, the WPD has received the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) Triple Crown Award for receiving the GFOA’s Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting, Popular Annual Financial Reporting Award, and the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award. The WPD was awarded the NRPA National Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management in 2013, and was named a Gold Medal Finalist in 2012, 2013, 2019, 2021, 2022, and 2023.
Media Contact
Josue Pasillas, MPA
Communications Supervisor
Waukegan Park District
(847) 360-4789
jpasillas@waukeganparks.org
waukeganparks.org