Elmhurst Park District receives award for its long-time partnership with the Ray Graham Association

  • Elmhurst Park District receives award for its long-time partnership with the Ray Graham Association

One of the Park District’s most vibrant partnerships was recognized earlier this month when the Ray Graham Association (RGA) honored Elmhurst Park District with its Monarch Effect Award during their Appreciation and Achievement Awards. The RGA award celebrated the well-established partnership between the two organizations and thanked the Park District for its vision that always includes people with disabilities.

As a member of Gateway Special Recreation Association, the Park District contracts with RGA to provide recreational activities for those with disabilities. In addition, the RGA Summer Work Crew program has paired RGA members with the Park District’s parks staff to perform seasonal park maintenance for nearly 20 years.

In June of this year, the partnership grew when the Park Board approved a Memorandum of Understanding with RGA, enabling the Park District to utilize the RGA-owned Elmhurst Community Learning Center in exchange for contributing $41,500 to the RGA to help with refurbishment of the facility’s gymnasium.

Demand for recreational programming remains high in Elmhurst, and the agreement has allowed the Park District to expand its programming space. Several new sports classes are being offered at the Ray Graham building this fall.

The Park District was honored to attend the event, which was made especially memorable as Moises Juarez, an Elmhurst Park District Summer Work Crew member for several seasons, was also recognized for his impact on the RGA mission during the event.