July 4th Parade & 3-D Fireworks Festival cancelled
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Village of Skokie and Skokie Park District officials, as well as the Skokie Fourth of July Parade Committee, have reached the difficult decision to cancel the 2020 Skokie 4th of July parade and the 3-D fireworks festival.
With the likelihood that the State of Illinois will not have reached Phase 5 of its Restore Illinois plan, the final phase that allows gatherings of more than 50 people, parade and fireworks festival organizers agreed that the event would pose a significant health risk to the residents of Skokie.
More information will be issued in coming weeks with suggestions on how neighbors and families can safely celebrate this important national holiday. The July 4th parade and fireworks festival have been an important celebration in Skokie for decades. With that in mind, organizers will soon begin planning events for July 4, 2021.
Summer programs & registration changes
Resident Registration: June 4 / Non-Residents: June 8
Skokie Park District staff continue to revise summer programs and events as laid out in the governor's Restore Illinois plan. The status of every summer program and event, as well as facility openings, will be based on the different phases of the state plan, taking into account group gathering limitations of 10 and 50, the ability to move programs outdoors, and the possibility of virtual offerings.
Should the district offer programming soon after the current stay-at-home order that runs through May 30, summer program registration, originally scheduled for May 15 and 22, will be held on Thursday, June 4 for Skokie residents and on Monday, June 8 for non-residents. Accordingly, new summer program date ranges and times will be adjusted online no later than Monday, June 1.
Nevertheless, all programs will be subject to cancellation at any time, due to new pandemic developments. The governor may also choose to extend the stay-at-home order through June, which will postpone all new registration dates above.
Stay tuned to skokieparks.org for program updates or new cancellation news.
June special events cancelled
Skokie Park District June special events have been cancelled. These include Movies in the Park (June 11 & 25), Wednesdays on the Green (June 17) and Hot Dogs in the Park (June 23).
Skokie Pride, originally scheduled for June 7, has been rescheduled for Oct. 11.
Summer Camp update
Summer Camp communication updates will be sent out as soon as plans are finalized in the next couple of weeks. Please click here for the latest Summer Camp news and information.
Skokie Water Playground & Devonshire Aquatic Center
Both park district pools will remain closed until Skokie moves into Phase 4 of the Restore Illinois Plan. Staff is hopeful that Phase 4 might begin as early as July. The district's aquatics staff are closely monitoring guidelines and directions from the Illinois Department of Public Health, the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) and Starguard Elite, a national aquatic certification agency concerning pool operations.
The health and safety of pool patrons will be prioritized by district staff when making any decisions regarding reopening. Please stay tuned for updates.
Picnic & Room rentals cancelled for June
All picnic and room rentals in district parks and facilities in June have been cancelled. This decision was made according to Phase 3 of the Restore Illinois plan, which restricts gatherings to groups of 10 or less.
Updated tennis guidelines
Skokie Park District tennis courts remain open under the following guidelines:
- Please wear a face mask and use hand sanitizer, especially when arriving and departing through tennis court entry gates.
- While playing singles, the USTA recommends the following.
- Doubles play is not recommended.
- No other activities are allowed on district tennis courts.
- As always, dogs are not allowed on tennis courts.
New dates for Devonshire Preschool registration
June 4 - Skokie Residents Preschool Registration begins
June 8 - Non-Residents Preschool Registration begins
Registration is by appointment only. Parents or guardians will need to bring the following materials to the registration appointment:
- Completed registration packet
- Original or certified birth certificate
- Up-to-date medical record with TB and lead test results or a waiver from the child's doctor for these tests
Preschool registration packets are available online here or via email request through the contact listed below. Social distancing and safety precautions will be enforced during registration appointments. Registration dates are subject to change if Illinois' stay-at-home order dates are extended.