Inspire. Educate. Support.

Regardless of the position you hold,  you are making a difference in the lives of your constituency. Though your journey is not over, we are asking you to Pay it Forward, to reach back and help equip the next generation of park and recreation professionals. How? Through a tax deductible donation to the Illinois Park and Recreation Foundation. The endowment is housed within the Illinois Park and Recreation Foundation and only the interest earned can be used to support IPRA member’s educational and professional development needs. The principal will remain intact to ensure that the funds donated by individuals like you, will be used to help build the future of parks and recreation professionals throughout the state of Illinois for years to come.

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Save the Date!
2020 IPRF/Joint Section Golf Outing

Friday, Sept. 18, 2020
Tanna Farms Golf Club, Geneva

Registration/Sponsorship Information available this spring at www.iliprf.org. Proceeds benefit the student and professional member scholarship programs of the Illinois Park and Recreation Foundation 

IPRA/IPRF Healthy Play & Recreation Statewide Initiative

IPRA, IPRF, PlayCore’s Center for Outreach, Research & Education (CORE) and GameTime are partnering through a unique statewide training and funding initiative to demonstrate the positive impact high-quality play and recreation destinations and programs can have on community health and wellness. Participants in the IPRA and IPRF Statewide Initiative will be recognized for exemplifying evidence-based best practices in design and implementation and will be provided meaningful data and research findings about community impact.

Funding opportunities to support the development of high quality outdoor play and recreation environments will be awarded to communities that seek to serve as National Demonstration Sites. These projects of excellence will implement evidence-based best practices in the areas of inclusion, nature integration, physical activity, and adult fitness. GameTime will provide up to $2 Million in matching funds to agencies and organizations committed to aligning with evidence-based design criteria. 

Upcoming Deadlines:
May 18 – Applications Due
May 25 – Awardees Selected
July 15 – Orders Due
August 20 – Shipments Due
October 7, 2020 – Install Due

Download the information brochure here  
Learn more and download the application for matching funds here

 

Illinois Park & Recreation Night at the Ballgame

With the Joliet Slammers
June 17, 2020
1 Mayor Art Schultz Drive, Joliet, IL
Learn more

2020 IPRF Sports Raffle Winners

Congratulations to the 2020 IPRF Sports Raffle winners! Funds raised through the raffle will support scholarships to students and professionals in the parks and recreation field. THANK YOU to all who purchased tickets or donated to the raffle this year! 

IPRA/IPRF Partner with National Fitness Campaign: $25,000 Grants Now Available 

IPRA, IPRF and the National Fitness Campaign (NFC) are now offering $25,000 grants to ten Illinois park and recreation agencies (with at least one IPRA member) in 2020 to support joining the National Fitness Campaign (NFC) and expanding the campaign across Illinois.

This state-wide grant program includes exclusive funding opportunities for IPRA members to join and launch the Fitness Court and NFC initiative, continuing education regarding implementation of healthy infrastructure and pedestrian oriented planning principles, and a comprehensive suite of tools, fitness classes and programs designed to build a wellness culture in communities across Illinois.

Members can request a briefing by contacting Heather Weishaar, Outreach Director at heather@ILipra.org at IPRA. Grant Applications are due on April 15th at 5pm PST, and awards will be announced May 1st.

Learn more