Oak Creek Starting July With Abendschein Park Party

July is National Parks and Recreation Month, and Oak Creek is celebrating the occasion in a big way. 

The city's recreation department has activities lined up throughout the month, beginning with a kick-off event at 6 p.m. July 1 at Abendschein Park. 

The event, held on the east end of the park by the skate park, features self-guided walks throughout the park, skateboarding and disc golf demonstrations, soccer, volleyball, races and relays and much more. 

Recreation Manager Mary Jane Trate said the department is eager to showcase Abendschein Park, 1321 E. Drexel Ave. Several upgrades were just finished and more are on the way.

"A lot of people have no idea what's in Abendschein Park," Trate said. "It's a beautiful facility. We're hoping to get people to go for a walk and get to see what's there and what's coming over there."

The July 1 event is only the beginning. The recreation department will hold a try-a-recreation-class week from July 8-12, where residents can drop in and try out classes for free. A try-a-sport week will be held from July 15-19.

Also on tap:

• A family evening camp-out from 6 to 8:30 p.m. July 26 at Henry Miller Park. Residents can bring a grill and also join in for games, snacks and songs around a campfire. 
• A duck hunt: ducks hidden along park trails can be brought into the recreation offices in City Hall for a prize. "Like" the Recreation Department's Facebook page for weekly clues.
• Free admission to drama productions on July 29 ("Did You Say Dinosaur?") and July 31 ("Hide and Shriek") at the Oak Creek Little Theater.