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Parks & Recreation
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, han dball/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.
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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.
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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.
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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
Tom 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.
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