Safe Summer is a citywide initiative launched by Mayor Stephanie Terry to provide Evansville’s youth and families with free, accessible, and engaging opportunities throughout the summer months.

Designed to create positive community experiences and promote safety, the program brings together multiple city departments - including the Evansville Police Department, Department of Parks & Recreation, and Metropolitan Evansville Transit System (METS) - to host a wide range of family-friendly events and services.

The goal of Safe Summer is to ensure that all young people in Evansville have access to safe, enriching environments when school is out - spaces where they can connect with others, stay active, and build positive relationships with their community.

Key Components of the Safe Summer Initiative Include:

• Movies in the Park: Every other Friday night, families can enjoy a free outdoor movie experience in neighborhood parks across the city, co-hosted by the Evansville Police Department and the Department of Parks & Recreation. These gatherings build community bonds while bringing neighbors together in a relaxed, family-oriented setting.
• My Summer Ride: From June 2 to August 2, METS is offering free bus rides to anyone 18 and under. This program removes a major barrier to access, giving young people the freedom to safely reach jobs, libraries, pools, summer programs, and other public resources throughout the city - including favorites like Mesker Park Zoo, city pools, and neighborhood parks.
• EPD Summer Reading Series: Coordinated by EPD Special Projects Coordinator Taylor Merriss, this reading series brings police officers into schools, libraries, and bookstores to read to children. The program encourages literacy and fosters trust and positive engagement between young people and law enforcement.

In addition to these anchor programs, the City of Evansville encourages families to take advantage of the many safe, low-cost summer destinations available across the community - including Mesker Park Zoo, city pools, and the city’s 46 parks. With new playgrounds currently underway at Garvin Park, Stevenson Park, and Fulton Park, these spaces are becoming even more inviting places for children and families to gather, play, and enjoy the outdoors.

By investing in these types of accessible and inclusive programs, Safe Summer supports Mayor Terry’s broader vision of an Evansville where every child feels welcome, supported, and safe - no matter where they live or what their summer looks like. Through collaborative partnerships and a shared commitment to public well-being, Safe Summer is helping to build stronger neighborhoods, one event at a time.

Calendar of Safe Summer Events

June 2025

10-12: Camp Blue, FOP PAL Camp
11: Walking Wednesday with EPD - 1-3 p.m., Tepe Park Neighborhood
13: Movies in the Park (Hotel Transylvania) - 6:00 p.m., Diamond Valley Park
14: Cops & Bobbers, Garvin Park
15-21: Dustbowl, Boys & Girls Club
16: EPD Summer Reading Series - 5:00 p.m., Barnes & Noble
17: Coffee with a Cop - 6:30 a.m., Penny Lane
18: Walking Wednesday with EPD - 1-3 p.m., Lamasco Park
18: Puppies & Police, Howell Park
21: Fun in the Forest - 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Mesker Park Zoo
23: EPD Summer Reading Series - 10:00 a.m., Oaklyn Library
23-27: Zoo Olympics (Camp Zoofari), Mesker Park Zoo
24-26: Camp Blue, FOP PAL Camp
25: Walking Wednesday with EPD - 1-3 p.m., Riverside Neighborhood
27: EPD Summer Reading Series - 10:00 a.m., EVPL Central Library
27: Movies in the Park (TBD) - 6:00 p.m., State Hospital Park
30: EPD Summer Reading Series - 5:00 p.m., Barnes & Noble

July 2025

1-3: Camp Blue, FOP PAL Camp
2: Walking Wednesday with EPD - 1-3 p.m., South Lincoln Park Neighborhood
5: Fun in the Forest - 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Mesker Park Zoo
7-11: Will About Art (Camp Zoofari), Mesker Park Zoo
8-10: Camp Blue, FOP PAL Camp
11: Movies in the Park - 6:00 p.m., West Side Library
14: EPD Summer Reading Series - 5:00 p.m., Barnes & Noble
15: Coffee with a Copy - 6:30 a.m. - Chik-Fil-A East
15-17: Camp Blue, FOP PAL Camp
16: Walking Wednesdays with EPD - 1-3 p.m., North Country Club Neighborhood
16: Puppies and Police, 11th Avenue Park
19: Fun in the Forest - 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Mesker Park Zoo
21: EPD Summer Reading Series - 10:00 a.m., McCullough Library
21-25: Animal Adventurers (Camp Zoofari), Mesker Park Zoo
23: Walking Wednesdays with EPD - 1-3 p.m., Wesselman Neighborhood
25: Movies in the Park (TBD) - 6:00 p.m., Lorraine Park
26: Animal Enrichment & Family Fun Day - 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Mesker Park Zoo
28: EPD Summer Reading Series - 5:00 p.m., Barnes & Noble
30: EPD Summer Reading Series - 10:00 a.m., Red Bank Library
30: Walking Wednesdays with EPD - 1-3 p.m., Lincolnshire Neighborhood