About the Levy Senior Center
Levy Senior Center City of Evanston Parks Recreation and Community Services Department 300 Dodge Avenue, Evanston IL 60202 Phone: 847.448.8250 Fax: 847.869.6183 www.cityofevanston.org/levy Email: levycenter@cityofevanston.org
Building Hours:
Monday – Friday: Saturday & Sunday:
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday: Saturday & Sunday:
7:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. 8:30 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
What do we offer?
Levy Center membership is open to adults age 55 years and older. Most programs for seniors are held weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Programs for all ages are held in the evening and on the weekends.
Interesting classes and programs:
Members participate in a wide variety of programs and classes in the recently-constructed awardwinning building. A few examples are: • Computer software and digital camera training • Health and wellness–low-impact aerobics to Pilates • Arts– wood carving, ceramics and jewelry making and piano lessons.
Improved health and wellness:
Membership in the new Fitness Room has proven to be a very popular option for seniors, while younger adults may purchase a Fitness Room pass valid in early mornings, evenings and weekends. Drop-in basketball is also available.
The Levy Senior Center was designed around an open courtyard in order to create a bright and close-to-nature feeling. The Hulda B. and Maurice L. Rothschild Enabling Garden in the central courtyard was made possible by a major grant from the Hulda B. and Maurice L. Rothschild Foundation. Some classes and special events are held in the courtyard, weather permitting.
Special interest activities:
The Levy Senior Center is home to two Senior Olympics basketball teams, the Evanston Chess Club and the “Grandparents Raising Grandkids” support group. The basketball teams have participated in state and national games.
A delightful place to gather:
The Levy Senior Center also may be the perfect site to hold your special event, whether it’s a birthday party, bridal or baby shower, bar or bat mitzvah, or wedding reception. The building is accessible for persons with a disability, has plenty of plenty of parking and is surrounded by the beauty of James Park. Several different room sizes are available for rental as well as including the courtyard garden, which is in bloom from spring through fall.
A connection to the past:
The Levy Senior Center has a rich history. In 1966, the City of Evanston provided the land while Joseph and Sarah Levy donated a building on Maple Avenue to serve as a student union. In 1970, Evanston Mayor Emery suggested converting the student union to a senior center as the senior citizen population was growing at that time. The Levy Family was in complete agreement. Programs for seniors were held at this facility for the next 30 years before it was decided that a new facility was necessary to adequately serve future generations of seniors. The current Levy Senior Center facility is located in the southeast corner of James Park; it was formally dedicated on July 21, 2002.