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Naperville
Friday, October 4, 2024

Equal Fun for Everyone – The Naperville Park District and WDSRA beginnings

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More than 40 years ago the Naperville Park District (NPD) was searching for a way to better support families with special needs. They successfully offered a six week day camp for children with disabilities. It was held in the log building at Centennial Park. Next came a social club where young adults could dance, play games and socialize with each other.

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The desire to do more was there but the funding was challenging. The NPD solicited the help of the Wheaton and Glen Ellyn Park Districts to coop services. That helped yet it was clear there was still more work to be done.

At the same time, state legislators were lending their support. Most notably was the charge being led by, then Senator from Naperville, Harris Fawell. A series of three bills were passed. Funding was figured out. Special Recreation Associations were created.

With the collaboration of Naperville, Wheaton and Glen Ellyn Park Districts already in place and West Chicago coming on board, the Western DuPage Special Recreation Association (WDSRA) was founded in 1976.

It was the start of a beautiful partnership for everyone. But the real winners were the participants and families. WDSRA’s doors opened with a summer day camp program offered to more than 125 children with disabilities. A bowling program soon followed.

Since then, the partnership between the NPD and WDSRA has grown. Today, there are 4 full seasons of programs offering engaging, community-based recreational programs including: Special Olympics, adapted sports, dance and art programs, camps, trips, special events, and more. Naperville remains the largest community served by WDSRA representing 31 percent of WDSRA program registrations and 33 percent of inclusion registrations for NPD programs.

Though we have come a long way since those humble beginnings, one thing has never changed. It has been and always will be the individuals and families that both the NPD and WDSRA serve to which we are committed to bringing the very best in recreational services.

To learn more about WDSRA programs or services, visit www.wdsra.com or call (630) 681-0962.

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Sherry Manschot
Sherry Manschothttp://www.wdsra.com
Sherry Manschot is the Marketing/Public Relations Manager at Western DuPage Special Recreation Association. She can be contacted at sherrym@wdsra.com. Learn about WDSRA at www.wdsra.com.
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