Spring is here — and the City of Galesburg Parks and Recreation Department has a packed schedule of events and programs for families and individuals of all ages. Recreation Supervisor Angie Buchen and Athletics Recreation Supervisor Luke Bradburn joined Galesburg’s Morning News Thursday morning to walk through what’s coming up.
🎧 Listen to the full interview here.
38th Annual Easter Egg Hunt — Sunday, March 29
The 38th Annual Easter Egg Hunt takes place Sunday, March 29, at 1 p.m. sharp at 1033 S. Lake Storey Road. Parking is at the former ShopKo building — organizers recommend arriving by 12:30 p.m. to allow time for parking and walking to the event.
The hunt features 10,000 candy-filled eggs divided into four age groups: 2–3, 4–6, 7–8, and 9–11. For the 2–3 age group, adults may enter the roped areas to assist. All other age groups hunt independently — parents must remain outside the ropes.
Hidden in each section are golden eggs containing prize slips. Grand prizes include individual memberships and punch cards for the Lake Storey Water Park. The Easter Bunny will be on site for photos.
Starting at noon, Hy-Vee will be grilling out with food available for purchase. The city’s mobile playground truck will also be on site, and Smurfit Westrock is hosting a craft activity where kids can make Easter baskets from cardboard.
The event is free.
Lakeside Recreation Facility
The Lakeside Recreation Facility at 1033 S. Lake Storey Road is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., and weekends from 1 to 6 p.m. Summer hours begin May 18.
Pickleball has surged in popularity. The facility converts four indoor tennis courts into eight pickleball courts for drop-in play on Wednesday and Friday mornings and Saturday mornings, with additional evening times. Cardio Pickleball — a fast-paced fitness class led by Sue Hulett — runs Thursdays at 11 a.m. A professional clinic with Jeffrey VanderEems from the Quad Cities is scheduled for late April. Additional outdoor courts are also planned for Rotary Park, and six outdoor courts are currently available at the old fire station.
The Men’s Doubles Tennis League begins April 8 — a four-week mini-session on Wednesday nights. Tennis drop-in play is available Tuesdays and Thursdays for $10. The facility also offers batting cages and multi-purpose courts for volleyball and basketball.
Hawthorne Pool and Spring Swim Lessons
Hawthorne Pool at 2331 Veterans Drive is open now. Open swim runs Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 4 to 6 p.m. and weekends from 1 to 4 p.m. The “Whibit” — an inflatable obstacle course — is deployed on select Saturdays, with the next appearance expected around April 4. Aquafit fitness classes run five mornings a week and Monday, Wednesday, and Friday evenings.
Spring swim lesson registration ends April 5. Group, private, and semi-private lessons are available for individuals up to age 18. Call 309-345-3683 or visit the City of Galesburg website to register.
Lake Storey Water Park
The Lake Storey Water Park opens for the season on May 23 — Memorial Day weekend — and will be open daily from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The park features three water slides and an updated concession stand.
Touch a Truck — May 6
Touch a Truck returns to the Lake Storey Pavilion parking lot on Wednesday, May 6, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. More than 30 organizations participate with vehicles for kids to explore. The event is free and geared toward preschool and early elementary-aged children. Rain date is May 13.
39th Annual Youth Fishing Derby — May 17
The 39th Annual Youth Fishing Derby is Saturday, May 17, at Lincoln Park. The event is free and open to children ages 3 to 15, running from 1 to 3 p.m. or until prizes run out. Approximately 600 prizes are available for kids who catch fish. The mobile playground and Hy-Vee grilling begin at noon.
Athletics — Volleyball and Softball
Luke Bradburn, who joined the department as Athletics Recreation Supervisor one month ago, is leading the athletics side of spring programming. A volleyball clinic is currently underway with 90 registered participants, and a four-day volleyball clinic runs next week.
Slowpitch softball registration is open now. Early bird deadline is April 6, with final team registration due by April 20. Games are played Tuesday nights at Lake Storey.
More Information
For registration and updates on all programs, visit the City of Galesburg website or follow the City of Galesburg Parks and Recreation Facebook page. Many free programs allow email registration for reminders.
