Chicago Park District: FREE Admission to Fitness Center 1.3.12 - 1.9.12

What's Missing in this Picture?     YOU!!!

 Can’t stay away from the Carmel Cake? Don’t worry about it. You can wipe away all of the holiday pounds gained during Chicago Park District FREE ADMISSION TO CITYWIDE FITNESS CENTERS WEEK. Work out for free Jan. 3-9 at any of the Chicago Park District's 71 fitness centers located throughout the city.



During the promotion from Jan. 3-9, guest who extend the complimentary one-week period into either a three-month or annual gold card membership will receive a complimentary Nike cinch bag, while supplies last. Membership rates to the Chicago Park District’s fitness centers are affordable and range from $30 to $75 for three months.


Check out the Chicago Park District website for more information.

The cost for three months at my local park is only $40 for three months.  If I do the math that bring me to only paying $.43 a day for 91 days of admission to the fitness center. 

Chicago Park District: Pumpkin Patch in the Park

Even though today the weather feels like it is spring, it is actually fall. Fall is my most loves season. You get to wear the cute sweaters, book, the new fall trends, see beautiful leave pick apples and pumpkins.



For the last two year I got my pumpkin from my local park district. That’s right I got my pumpkin from my local park. I live in the city of Chicago and all of the larger pumpkin patches are a bit of a drive. To save time and gas each year I take my daughter to the Pumpkin Patch in the Park at my local Chicago Park District location.


The Chicago Park District hosts dozens of Halloween events in the parks. They offer numerous pumpkin patches that may feature pony rides, games, treats and a chance to take a photo at the harvest photo station. Additional events include scary movies, campfire sessions, a 5k Run, Halloween parties and so much more.


You may have to pay a small fee, but it is worth it. Check out some of the pictures from when me and my daughter went two years ago. She was 3 in this picture now she is 5. Boy time does fly when you are having fun growing!!!!

Chicago Park District: Nature Oasis @ Northerly Island

I think the best part about living in a large city is being able to attend FREE programs that I know I never would have attended if I had to pay.  The Chicago Park District is having Family Adventure Day- Leave No Child Inside Month Kick-off event on May 21st. This event will start at 10am and ends at 2pm.  The cost is FREE at is located at Northerly Island


The Chicago Park District is giving families a chance to get down and dirty with nature play. Play in the mud, build a hideout, catch a fish, or create outdoor art. This event will also be releasing our ‘Passport to Nature.’

This event/program is designed to help Chicagoans of all ages experience the wonder of nature right here in the city, the Nature Oasis program was launched by the Chicago Park District in the summer of 2001. This exciting program is currently based at parks with large natural areas such as, Gompers, Humboldt, Jackson, Washington, Northerly Island and South Shore Cultural Center and works to increase environmental awareness by offering a wide range of nature-based programming throughout the seasons. These programs and events are planned so that you, your friends and family can come to a local park to get inspired, get in touch with nature, get your hands dirty or simply enjoy the beauty of the seasons.

Chicago Park District: Words, Art and Nature - Family Fun Day at the Park

This Saturday May 14th at South Shore Culural Center you and your family can enjoy a Family Funday day at the Park.  In collaboration with Chicago Humanties Festival, this family-friendly event will feature indoor and outdoor activities, games, art, and a show by the perennially-clever troupe Barrel of Monkeys, which takes poetry written by youth and transforms it into vignettes and songs. Barrel of Monkeys performs at 1 pm.

Start Time: 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM

The Barrel of Monkeys performs at 1 pm

Cost: FREE

Dating a Frugal Girl: Movies in the Park

I haven't did a Dating a Frugal Girl blog post in a while.  With the weather getting better and the days getting longer, it is a great time to start back dating.  I have been super busy with working, raising my daughter, and teaching coupon classes, but I try my best to have a healthy dating life. 

It has been a while since, I have been out on a date . . .but maybe, just maybe "Brother Save-A-Lot" is reading this blog post and can make it happen. 

The Chicago Park District is having Movies in the Park again this year.  Each year, I take my daughter to a few events.  I am hoping that I can go again this year, but not with my child.  (LOL)

Check out the dates and times that Movies in the Park would be in your area.  For all of the single men in Chicago, you will get a lot  of brownie point is you take your date out and prepare a picnic for the two of you. 

Chicago Park District: Bunny Activities

As a single parent mother, I always look for FREE activities that I can take my daughter to.  One of the best resources in the City of Chicago is the Chicago Park District.  The Chicago Park District has events all around the city that are FREE or at a reduced price.  I was looking to find an Easter Egg Hunt to take my daughter too and found more than I expected.  Check out the various Easter activities that you can your family can enjoy at your local Chicago Park District location. 

04/07/11 10:00 AM

Eggstravaganza (ages 5 & under, w/ adult)

Welles Park

$5 per child

04/07/11 4:00 PM

Spring Festival

Altgeld Park

$2.00

04/15/11 10:00 AM

Brunch with the Bunny (ages 6 & under, w/ adult)

Merrimac Park

$10 per person

04/15/11 1:00 PM

Easter Egg Hunt

Williams Park

FREE

04/15/11 3:00 PM

Easter Egg Hunt

Durkin Park

FREE

04/16/11 10:00 AM

Doggie Easter Egg Hunt

Horner Park

$5 per dog

04/16/11 10:00 AM

Easter Egg Hunt

Sheridan Park

$2.00

04/16/11 10:00 AM

Easter Egg Hunt (for ages 2-10, w/adult)

Mayfair Park

$3 per child

04/16/11 10:00 AM

Easter Eggstravaganza

Chase Park

FREE

04/16/11 10:30 AM

Easter Egg Hunt

Armour Square Park

$10.00

04/16/11 12:00 PM

 Easter Egg Hunt

Avalon Park

$5

04/16/11 12:00 PM

Easter Egg Hunt

West Chatham Park

$5

04/16/11 12:00 PM

 Lunch with the Bunny (for ages 2-10, w/adult)

Mayfair Park

child = $7; each additional person = $5

04/21/11 11:30 AM

Lunch with the Easter Bunny

Hale Park

Children- $12 ( lunch & activities) Adult $6 lunch

04/21/11 4:00 PM

 Easter Egg Hunt

Rainbow Beach & Park

$3

04/22/11 11:00 AM

Easter Celebration (18 - 36 mos. w/ adult)

Paschen Park

$2 per child

04/22/11 12:00 PM

 Eggstrordinary

Gage Park

$7

04/22/11 3:00 PM

Easter Egg Hunt

Durkin Park

FREE

04/22/11 4:00 PM

 Easter Egg Hunt

Taylor-Lauridsen Playground Park

FREE

04/22/11 4:00 PM

Eggstravaganza

Brainerd Park

$2

04/22/11 5:00 PM

Easter Egg Hunt

Smith (Wendell) Playlot Park

$3

04/23/11 10:00 AM

Easter Egg Hunt

McKinley Park

FREE

04/23/11 10:00 AM

Mr. Hippity Hop

Berger Park Cultural Center

FREE

04/23/11 10:00 AM

Mr. Hippity Hop (ages 4 & under, w/adult)

Berger Park Cultural Center

FREE

04/23/11 11:00 AM

 Eggstraordinary Fun!

Palmer Park

$5 in advance, $6 at the door

Chicago Park District: FREE City Wide Admission to Fitness Centers

Are you ready to work all of those holiday pounds that you gained off? If so you can work out for free from Jan. 2 to 9, at any of the Chicago Park District’s 70 fitness centers throughout the city.



During the promotion, consumers who register for the membership from January-March 2011 winter-session membership will receive a complimentary Nike gift, while supplies last. Membership rates to the Chicago Park District’s fitness centers are affordable and range from $30 to $75 for three months.

Check out the Chicago Park District website for more information. 

Halloween in the Park (Chicago Park District)

Chicago Park District hosts Halloween in the Park events during October 2010

The Chicago Park District will be hosting Halloween in the Park during the month of October. Pumpkin patches, costume contest, fall events and more will be held throughout the Chicago area parks.

Last year I took my daughter to a Halloween in the Park activity and she really enjoyed her self. Last year for $10.00 we took part in the following activities: face painting, pony rides, petting zoo, pumpkin patch (They let us take as many as we wanted) and a children’s DJ was there to play music. We also ate really well; they had corn on the cob, hot dogs, burgers, popcorn, cotton candy and drinks. Some of the events are free and have age requirements. Cost, dates, events, and time may be found at the Chicago Park District website.