Free, fun one-day series of activities for girls to be held across 24 locations on February 2, starting at 9 a.m.
The Chicago Park District announced today that it will host the first-ever “Girls Day of Play,” a local celebration in recognition of the National Girls & Women in Sports Day, on Friday, February 2, starting at 9 a.m. Girls, ages 6 to 14 years old, are invited to attend one of the events being held at 23 park locations and at Curie High School to enjoy access to a variety of sports, recreational games, and physical and educational activities during the all-day, free series.
“The Chicago Park District is proud to join the national effort to celebrate the importance of fair play and ensure equal opportunity for girls in sports,” said Chicago Park District CEO & Superintendent Michael P. Kelly. “The ‘Girls Day of Play’ series is a step in the right direction towards creating safe spaces in our communities that empower girls' participation and leadership in sport and physical activity.”
Day-off activities will range from traditional sports like basketball, volleyball and soccer to more popular activities that include gymnastics, cheerleading, tumbling, yoga, dance and ballet. Beyond youth athletics, unique play and educational opportunities for girls include trapeze school at Broadway Armory, woodshop and water polo at Mann Park, archery at Mayfair and leadership and self-care classes at Tuley Park. Rounding out the list of activities being offered at no cost to girls on this day of play is rowing, climbing wall, swimming, floor hockey, tennis, spikeball, golf, double-dutch, rugby and Fun with food.
Curie High School’s Girls Olympics program will feature a seven sports rotation and offer lunch for up to 500 girls from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Girls, ages 8 to 14 years old, are required to register for the event at Curie High School, located at 4959 S. Archer Ave., at www.chicagoparkdistrict.com. Bus transportation to this event will be available from Washington Park, Chase Park, Franklin Park, The Park at NTA and Shedd Park.
This is the first event of its kind organized by the recently formed Chicago Park District Girls in Sports Initiative. This committee is focused on working towards expanding opportunities for girls in sports and ensuring that young women have equal access to recreational offerings in their communities.
The National Girls & Women in Sports Day is a national observance celebrating the extraordinary achievements of women and girls in sports. February 7, 2018 marks the 32nd Annual National Girls & Women in Sports Day (NGWSD). “Play Fair, Play IX" is the 2018 theme.
For a full list of park locations participating in the “Girls Day of Play” celebration, visit www.chicagoparkdistrict.com.