Parks/Forestry & Recreation
ECOLOGY CENTER (in the Ladd Arboretum)
2024 McCormick Blvd., Evanston, IL 60201
847.448.8256 Fax: 847.448.8805
Office hours September through Memorial Day: Mon.-Sat.: 9am-4:30pm
Summer office hours: Mon.-Fri.: 9am-4:30pm
ecologycenter@cityofevanston.org
The Ecology Center strives to foster a greater appreciation, awareness and knowledge of the natural environment and our interdependence with it through educational programs and services. Classes are offered year-'round for children, adults, families, schools, and organized groups such as scouts.
Winter Ecology programs and classes
Ecology Center staff oversee
- four community gardens
- several very popular summer camp programs
- canoeing on the North Shore Channel
- programming at Lighthouse Park
- access to fishing (sponsored by the Department of Natural Resources)
- natural history programs
Free Access to Fishing
This popular free program, which is sponsored by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, is a great way to introduce children age 5-15 to the “catch and release” process. Equipment, bait and fishing expertise are provided!
Access to Fishing is held from 10am-noon every Saturday morning at Lovelace Park, Gross Point Road at Thayer St. from early May through October. No license is needed for those under age 16. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Questions? Please call 847.448.8256.
Evanston Green Living Festival
The Evanston Environmental Association (EEA) collaborated with the Ecology Center staff, other City departments and community business sponsors to host the third annual Green Living Festival on October 3, 2009.
It was a fabulous day of environmental and sustainable options with attendance estimated at 2,000 visitors! The children's programming and alternative transportation areas were especially busy. The Web site dedicated to the festival is www.evanstongreenfest.org
Master Plan
This project includes development of a facility management and long range master plan for the Ladd Arboretum by professional design consultants.
PARKS/FORESTRY & REC
Recreation Centers
Ecology Center