Whiting, Indiana

Parks & Recreation

The Whiting Community Center | Programs and Activities
Membership Fees | Annual Events | Whiting's Parks | Parks Program Forms


THE WHITING COMMUNITY CENTER



This structure that was built in 1923 by the Rockefeller family and Standard Oil Company, is listed in the National Register of Historic places.

It is the heart of the Park and Recreation system and houses staff offices. The Whiting Parks and Recreation Department offers various programs and activities throughout the year. The Community center has many indoor amenities available for public use. To mention a few, there are two basketball courts , one walking/jogging track, two saunas, two whirlpools, swimming pool, handball/racquetball court, weight and cardiovascular rooms, billiards room, meeting rooms, kitchen facilities and different activities for children and adults.

The Community Center also houses a bowling center. The bowling alley hosts various leagues including USBC (United States Bowling Congress). If interested in bringing in a league or joining a league contact the bowling manager.

There are open bowling and open swim times. Scheduling for private parties is available for the swimming pool, bowling alley, social room or banquet hall. Whether it is line dancing or bowling call the Community Center at 219-659-0860 for more details. Click here for information about Community Center membership fees.


TOP


PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES

The Parks Department offers numerous programs and activities.
Call 219-659-0860 for more information.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Crochet Class:
(ages 12-Adult) Starts Thursday, January 8th.
The Whiting Community Center offers ongoing six week sessions of crochet classes throughout the year. Join instructor Irma Ortiz on Thursdays from 6:00-7:30 PM. Classes are for beginning and advanced students. Advanced students are welcome to bring in their own patterns/materials and receive Irma’s expert advice in completing their project. We have a limited selection of free yarn for beginners to use…just bring along a size G hook.

Fees: $30.00 Residents (46394 zip) / $35.00 Non-Residents

Flower & Garden Show Trip:
Thursday, March 12 Cost: $30.00
The Chicago Flower & Garden Show will, once again after a two-year absence, blossom along Chicago’s lakefront at Navy Pier. This welcome harbinger of spring is the perfect place to pick up floral and gardening tips for your own garden. Popular highlights of the 2009 show will include: Lush Theme Gardens, Teaching Garden, Garden Market, Garden Gourmet (featuring the culinary talents of 27 top Chicago chefs), Home Market, Educational Seminars, Photography Garden, and Tablescapes (showing creative floral table settings). The $30.00 fee includes bus and entry fee. Bus leaves the Community Center at 9:00 AM and approx. return time is 1:30 PM. Payment must be made at time of registration…no refund policy. Deadline to register is January 19th. Bus seats are limited, so hurry in and reserve yours now! Trip will be cancelled if our minimum quota of 30 is not met.

GUITAR Lessons: New 10 Week Session! Mondays, 6:15-7:15 PM
Is your child often picking up that broom and using it as a guitar to strum along to a favorite song on the radio and then begging you to buy him/her a real guitar? Is that guitar you bought years ago sitting in a closet gathering dust because you never had a chance to learn? Here’s an opportunity for everyone (ages 7-Adult) to learn the basics, in a group setting, with instructor Brian Lunsford. All one needs is their own guitar, the enthusiasm to learn and the willingness to practice! Brian has ten years experience teaching guitar to all ages. Just “Google” Brian’s name and you can experience his talent first hand playing live at local cafés on numerous YouTube videos.

            Session starts Monday, Dec. 8th
            Preregistration is required.
            Must have 5-10 students or session will be cancelled.
            Fees: $100.00 Residents
                     $110.00 Non-Residents
                       (No Refund Policy)

Karate Training:
Ages 6 through Adult
Courage…Respect…Discipline…Dedication…these are the hallmark characteristics of those who study the martial arts. With over 39 years of experience in the martial arts and the recipient of several black belts in various martial art disciplines, Mr. Rich Lopez is dedicated to instilling these characteristics in his students through his martial arts training. Starting children young helps to instill a strong sense of self-esteem, improves confidence and promotes an active, healthy lifestyle. Through karate training, children also learn self-defense techniques and respect for others. Adults benefit from improved fitness, reduced stress, increased self-esteem, improved balance and co-ordination, and learning self-defense skills. (Minimum to hold class is 7 – maximum is 20)

Classes are held on Tuesdays (six week sessions). Next session starts:
December 2nd through January 6th.

Time: 6:30-7:30pm
 
Fees: $30.00 Residents (46394 zip) / $35.00 Non-Residents

Moms & Tots in Motion: Tuesdays, 6:30-7:15 PM Jan. 13 – Feb. 17
This is a unique class for a parent and their 1 ½ to 3 yr. old toddler. The class will consist of animated stretching poses along with fun moving exercises to promote strength, balance, flexibility, coordination and the building of body awareness. It will provide bonding opportunities between parent and child along with stimulating the imagination. Class size is limited to 8 toddlers and pre-registration is required (no refund policy). Each toddler attending must have an adult accompanying them…and bring a yoga mat or towel. Instructor Georgetta Corona will hold this class in the carpeted, cozy, truly historical…WCC Memorial Room.
                      Fees: $30.00 Residents
                               $35.00 Non-Residents
                                  (No Refund Policy)


ONGOING & SEASONAL EVENTS:

Adult Sand Volleyball League:  Open to adults 16 and older. Games played on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Whiting Park 6:30, 7:30, & 8:30pm beginning in June through August. Rules and information available at center. Team pre-registration required.

Blood Pressure Testing: Every third WEDNESDAY of the month between the hours of 10:00 and 11:30 AM. The Whiting Fire Department will conduct free blood pressure testing at the Community Center for the general public.

Exercise Classes:  The Center offers a variety of exercise classes on land and in the pool which are included in your membership pass.  These classes include water aerobics, land and water yoga, high and low impact aerobics, kickboxing, pilates, salsa, etc.  Call for further information on these classes or stop in for our current exercise class schedule.

Line Dancing:  Here’s a FREE fun way to get that needed exercise!  Join Diane Terpstra every “other” Thursday from 6:30-8:00pm at the Whiting Community Center.  Call the Center for the exact date of the next Line Dancing session.

Open Bowl:  Tuesdays & Thursdays 3:30-8:00pm.  Every Tuesday is dollar day!  That’s $1.00 per game and $1.00 shoe rental!

Piano Lessons:  Held in 7 week sessions.   Fee: $60.00 Whiting/Robertsdale Residents; $65 Non-Residents.  Proof of residency required.  No refund policy.  Books are not included in registration fee.  Call now to have your name added to waiting list for next available opening.

Preschool:  Open to children ages 3-5.  Class sizes are small so individualized attention by Mrs. Mary Ann Evanich is guaranteed!  Mrs. Evanich has 30 years experience teaching preschool here at the Community Center.  School sessions start the day after Labor Day through May.  If interested in having your little one attend our preschool, stop in for details and to have your child’s name entered on our waiting list for the 2008-2009 school year.

Senior 4-F Group:  Fitness, Food, Fun, Friends!  Stop in any or every day of the week.  Nutritional Lunch served Monday thru Fri. at 11:45am-12:30pm ($2 per meal); Free exercise session on Mon., Wed. and Fri. at 11:15-11:45am; Free Fun Activities like cards, bingo, bunco, etc. for you to enjoy from 12:30-1:30pm. Come join us at the wheelchair-accessible Community Center.  Monthly meal menus are available upon request in case you simply hate turkey!

Summer Play and Pee Wee Camps: Open to children ages 4-12yrs.  The program provides children with field trips, recreation and educational activities.  Programs are held during summer vacation.  Pre-registration is required.

Swim Lessons: Offered throughout the year for all ages.  Class sizes are limited.  Session days and times vary depending on the time of the year the classes are held.  Fees:  $30 Whiting/Robertsdale Residents; $40 Non-Residents.   Call the Center for further info.  Program Instructor:  Ruth Ruiz

Weight Watchers: Three meetings to choose from every Wednesday at 9:30am, 5:30pm or 7:00pm. Weigh-ins are a half hour before each meeting.

Well Walkers Club: Monthly meetings held on the second THURSDAY of each month at 1:00 PM. The Whiting Parks & Recreation Department, in conjunction with St. Catherine’s Hospital, offers you the opportunity to take “steps” towards getting fit.  Meetings include health education programs and/or screenings.  Club members who return monthly walk logs are eligible to win prizes via random drawings.  Membership gives you an opportunity to walk with others who share your interest.   Membership is FREE and you receive a pedometer when you join. Register now at the Whiting Community Center or call 219-659-0860 for further information.



TOP


ANNUAL EVENTS

January 6th - Twelfth Night Ceremony - the traditional closing of the Christmas season with the burning of the Christmas trees. Enjoy a cup of hot apple cider or hot chocolate with the trumpet solo signaling the end of the Christmas season.

Saturday Before Holy Saturday - Children's Easter Egg Hunt:  For Whiting children only. *** Proof of residency required.

May - Arbor Day - Celebrated at 1:00 pm on the first Friday of May at Whiting Park. Memorial trees are planted throughout the city and parks with an emphasis on the tremendous importance trees have on our lives and the stewardship we embrace as a tree city.


July 4th - The Whiting 4th of July Parade and Carnival - one of the oldest and best parades in the area travels down 119th Street while Whiting Park welcomes families of all ages to enjoy the festive carnival and fireworks at night.

 


July, August, & September - Symphony and Jazz Concerts - Held at Whiting Park. Join thousands of music fans from across the Calumet Region and enjoy a bottle of wine and relax in the evening's open air listening to the sounds of Whiting's very own Whiting Park Festival Orchestra.
 


September - Mayor's 2K/5K Run/Walk: Held at Whiting Park in September ... for all ages.


October - Children's Costumed Halloween Parade - *** For Whiting children only.*** Held the Saturday before Halloween.

For further information on any programs, future events, ideas or suggestions, call the Whiting Community Center at 219-659-0860.

We collect Campbell Soup Labels...drop them off at the front desk or mail them to us at 1938 Clark Street.



TOP


WHITING'S PARKS

Harry Glair Park (Penny Park), located at Clark Avenue & John Street (next to the Community Center), is ¾ acre in size with play equipment designed for children ages 1 through 10.  This popular playground is within walking distance of the business district and the neighborhoods located in the Midtown section of our community.


 

Atchison Avenue Park, located at Atchison Avenue & 115th Street, is approximately 1 acre in size designed for pedestrian and bicycle access. The play equipment is designed primarily for use by young children. Horseshoe pits are also located on site and fenced off from the play areas.  The park is the home of the Whiting-Robertsdale Horseshoe Club who also occupy the adjacent building as an indoor horseshoe facility.

Standard Diamonds
, located at 119th Street, ½ block east of Schrage Avenue, is approximately 6.5 acres with lighted baseball, softball, t-ball diamonds, playground equipment, open play and picnicking areas.  The park is home to the Whiting Little League which operates and maintains one of the top Little League Complexes in Northwest Indiana.



Whiting Skate Park at Standard Diamonds
- On June 5, 2004, a grand opening was held for our new state of the art 8000 sq. ft. skate park. It was designed by Mark “Monk” Hubbard of Grindline Inc. with Stevie “Dread” Synder as the design consultant. Take a leap of faith and test the gnarly street course or the 11 foot Bowl (“better than the Butter Bowl”) which has Monk’s famous coping. There are steps, ramps, ledges and rails for all the grinders.

Click here to view more Skate Park photos


Whiting Park, located at East 119th St. & North Front St., is approximately 15 acres with different structural play areas for preschool and elementary aged children. Seven acres of open play areas, walking paths, four tennis courts, one baseball diamond, picnic facilities, a concession area, a fishing pier, two sand volleyball courts, in-line skate hockey rink and a relaxing fish pond with waterfall, perfect for meditation or Sunday morning yoga classes. Hold weddings & receptions with scenic photo-ops amongst flower gardens, Chicago skyline backdrop or romantic Lake Michigan. Whiting Park is adjacent to Whihala Beach, a Lake County park, which has walking along Lake Michigan, boat launch ramp and beach with lifeguards. Whiting Park is an excellent area for bird watching; the purple martin houses are fully occupied.  'Take a cruise on Robert J. Bercik Drive' and take in all the amenities of one of the best kept park & recreation secrets in Northwest Indiana.

Click here to view more Whiting Park photos



T
om Smolen Park, located at 125th Street & Schrage Avenue, is approximately ½ acre with a shelter and 2 play areas with modernized play equipment. One area is designed for small children and the other is designed for pre-teens.  The Park was built on land donated to the City by the Smolen Family of Whiting.

TOP




  Revised: 1/6/2009  |  © 2008-2009 The City of Whiting  |  Web Design by BerylMartin