Unplug Illinois Day: Saturday, July 13

Join the Wilmette Park District for Unplug Illinois Day! Unplug Illinois Day is a state-wide initiative aimed at getting individuals to unplug from technology and “plug in” to fun, recreational activities. The Wilmette Park District will be offering both scheduled and unscheduled activities and recommendations to help you unplug all day. Visit https://www.unplugillinois.org/ to learn more.

Scheduled Activities

Beach Clean Up

Gillson Beach, 9:00 am – 11:00 am

Join Go Green Wilmette and the Wilmette Park District to kick off Unplug Illinois Day at 9:00 am. Look for the Go Green Wilmette table along the South Beach sidewalk. Please check in at the GGW table and bring reusable gloves and a bucket or container to collect plastic pieces that wash ashore during rainstorms.

Gillson Park Bird Habitat Tour

Gillson Park, 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm

Join Go Green Wilmette and the Wilmette Park District for a guided walkthrough of the Gillson Park Bird Habitat to learn more about it’s creation and benefits.

Meet at the Gillson Park Bird Habitat located to the west of Wallace Bowl. Can’t make it to the tour? Visit the habitat on your own time and check out some of our birding recommendations in the attached Bird Guide Document.

Bodyweight Bootcamp

Wallace Bowl, 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Join the Wilmette Park District’s Center Fitness Club for a free family-friendly Bodyweight Bootcamp class! Instructor Alison Rundall will lead attendees through a class focused on all components of exercise including total body strength, muscle endurance and cardio segments.  Bootcamp is a total body workout and will help burn fat and increase your metabolic rate.

Class is suitable for ALL FITNESS LEVELS. Recommended for ages five and up.

Unscheduled Activities

Sandcastle Showcase

Gillson Beach, 9:00 am – 8:00 pm, for July 13 only

Show off your sandcastle building skills in the Gillson Beach Sandcastle Showcase! Head down to Gillson Beach and construct your best sandcastle. After you’re finished, stop by the Gillson Park Beach House to pick up an and take a picture with your masterpiece (unplugged exception!). From there follow the steps below:

• Submit your photo to sustainability@wilmette.com to enter into the showcase. Photos due July 14!
• Entries will be featured in an album on our Facebook page for the community to vote for their favorite by dropping a “Like” on the photo of their choice. Voting runs 7/15-7/18.
• The sandcastle entry with the most “Likes” wins! Winner will be announced on 7/19 and receives 10 free Gillson Beach guest passes.

Waste-Free Lunch

Unsure of what to do for lunch on Saturday? Consider packing a waste-free lunch and enjoying it in Gillson Park! Click here for a list of suggestions on how to pack a waste-free lunch and learn more about why it’s important.

Birding for Beginners

Did you know that Gillson Park has a native bird habitat? Established in 2016, this habitat offers a beneficial resting place for both migratory and resident birds and offers great opportunities for bird watching. Click here for more information about how to bird in our area.

Celestial Stargazing

When was the last time you looked up at the night sky and found the North Star? Take some time after dark on Saturday night to observe the night sky. Consider identifying popular constellations like the Big and Little Dippers or try and catch a shooting star. Click here for some considerations when stargazing.

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