Waukegan, Illinois (November 1, 2023) – The Waukegan Park District is hosting the 24th Annual Turkey Trot on Saturday, November 11, 2023 at 10am at Waukegan’s Greg Petry SportsPark, located at 3391 W. Beach Road. Participants will have the opportunity to compete in races for a chance to win a turkey while helping the community with a canned food drive that will benefit the COOL Food Pantry.
Races will be held for the following age groups: 13 to 23 months, 2 to 3 years, 4 to 5 years, 6 to 7 years, 8 to 10 years, 11 to 13 years, 14 to 59 years, and 60+ years. Races range from five yards to one mile, depending on the age group. The first-place male and female finishers in each age group will be awarded a turkey. All participants will receive a ribbon.
The Waukegan Park District hosted the first Turkey Trot in 1999 at Bevier Park, located at 2255 York House Road. The event has been held at Waukegan’s Greg Petry SportsPark since 2021.
The annual Turkey Trot is hosted as part of the GO WAUKEGAN community initiative. In collaboration with the Lake County Health Department, the Waukegan Park District launched the 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 24th Annual Turkey Trot is sponsored by Senator Adriane Johnson. Senator Johnson represents the 30th District, which includes Waukegan, in the Illinois State Senate.
On-site check-in and registration will begin at 9am. Preregistration is preferred. The cost to participate is a donation of two cans of non-perishable food. More information, including preregistration, is available at waukeganparks.org/trot.
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