THE PARKS FOUNDATION OF HIGHLAND PARK
The Parks Foundation of Highland Park is dedicated
to the belief that every resident of our community
deserves the opportunity for an enriched, healthy
lifestyle. The Foundation raises funds to support
and enhance exceptional Park District projects
and provide scholarship funding to ensure that all
community members are able to participate in Park
District programs.
Parks Foundation scholarship programs are designed to provide
everyone in our community access to a wide variety of Park
District offerings. We target the needs of our residents to bring the
community together and ensure that no one is left behind. For
more information about the Parks Foundation, click here.
SMILE
For all
to play
The SMILE (Scholarships Mean Involvement
in Leisure for Everyone) Grant-in-Aid Program
gives families in need of financial assistance the
opportunity to participate in Park District programs.
Founded in 1992, SMILE has provided thousands of
Highland Park residents facing economic difficulty with access to
classes, camps, sports leagues, fitness activities, lessons, and events
that promote healthy lifestyles. The Parks Foundation raises SMILE
funds that allow our Park District to extend benefits to all residents
in need. We “Give a SMILE” for all to play!
To learn how to apply for a SMILE grant, click here
To donate to SMILE, click here
FYI
Foundation Youth Initiative (FYI) was established in 2019 to expand
our reach to Highwood children who rely on the Park District
of Highland Park for enrichment activities. Learn to Swim, our
inaugural FYI program, was launched to fund free introductory
swim lessons for low-income families and now serves dozens of
kids annually. Additional offerings will include a variety of athletic,
developmental, and skill-based classes for local youngsters in need.
The Foundation partners with the Nuestro Center and the Highland
Park Community Foundation in funding and administering FYI.
To donate to FYI, click here
YOUTH GOLF
Strong character, strategic thinking, friendship, and a passion for
the outdoors are some of the traits attributed to the game of golf.
We proudly support youth golf for residents of all economic means.
The Foundation is the primary force behind Sunset Valley Golf
Course’s new Youth Golf Development and Short Game Center
where young golfers will be able to learn putting and chipping.
Through the Michael Goldman Memorial Scholarship Fund, we
offer golf lesson scholarships for youth facing social, emotional,
or economic challenges. We welcome the community to join us in
Playing it Forward for Youth Golf.
To apply for or learn more about Youth Golf Scholarships, click
here
Services to Residents with Disabilities
Park District of Highland Park is a
partner with Northern Suburban
Special Recreation Association (NSSRA).
Formed in 1970, NSSRA is an extension
of ten park districts, two cities and one village in the northern
suburbs of Chicago and provides and facilitates year-round
recreation programs and services for children, teens and adults
with disabilities. NSSRA offers recreation, sport, cultural, social
programs and events available throughout the year, creating
new experiences, opportunities for skill development, leisure
time, and perhaps most importantly, friendship. NSSRA has
been creating an environment of belonging through play
since 1970, and has the distinction of being the first Special
Recreation Association in the country.
We believe that everyone should have the chance to try
something new. This means you have the opportunity to
participate in any one of NSSRA’s over 500 annual programs,
or that you have the opportunity to participate in one of Park
District of Highland Park’s programs with the assistance of an
NSSRA Inclusion companion.
Inclusion Services
Park District program Inclusion Services are available
to residents with special needs at no additional cost
to the family. Inclusion services may include, when
necessary, staff training, program modifications/adaptations,
modified equipment and program observations.
Reasons to Request Inclusion Services
• A parent or family member recognizes that a participant
would benefit from additional support in a Park District
program
• Park District staff identifies a need for additional support, for
safety and programmatic reasons, and communicates this
need to the family
Requesting Inclusion Services
When registering for a Park District of Highland Park program
for the first time:
• Mark the accommodation section of the registration form to
indicate that the participant will require assistance from
NSSRA
• Once your registration form is submitted, the Park District will
contact you to discuss the type of Inclusion support needed
for the participant
• The Park District will provide NSSRA with an Inclusion
request that contains both program and participant
information
• You will be contacted by NSSRA to discuss the needs of the
participant and get input on the type of support required
• NSSRA will work with the park district to put the necessary
Inclusion accommodations in place for participation in the
desired program(s)
• Communication between you, NSSRA, Park District staff
continues throughout the Inclusion process
For more information, regarding Park District Inclusion Services
contact: Natalie Liang, 847.579.3131, or [email protected].
Meggan Davies, Recreation Manager for Inclusion, NSSRA
847.509.9400 x6828 • [email protected]
For more information about Northern Suburban Special
Recreation Association (NSSRA) go to nssra.org
3105 MacArthur Blvd. • Northbrook, IL 60062 • 847.509.9400
Fall 2020 • Park District of Highland Park 7
SPECIAL COMMUNITY SERVICES