SEASPAR Celebrates 35 Years

The South East Association for Special Parks and Recreation (SEASPAR) held an open house at its location inside the Downers Grove Recreation Center Thursday to proudly celebrate its 35th year.

Eleven communities and park districts comprise its membership. More than 2,000 individuals with special needs, from toddlers to senior citizens, benefit from its recreational services.

SEASPAR Executive Director Susan Friend said she has seen incredible growth in her 32 years with the organization. She has seen the staff increase from five to now more than 175, including the vast amount of volunteers. 

“We wanted to have this open house to let people know where our offices are located,” said Friend, who added that the public might not know SEASPAR's home base since most of its visible work is done at other locations.

Friend attributes her longevity at SEASPAR to “finding her niche and feeling her job is rewarding and never stagnant.”

Cathy Morava, superintendent of recreation, echoed Friend’s sentiment about never being bored with her job. Having also started with SEASPAR 32 years ago as a recreation specialist, she laughed about keeping athletic apparel in her car in case her last-minute assistance is needed at an activity.

“I keep gym shoes, comfortable clothes and a bathing suit in my car just in case,” said a smiling Morava.

Senior Recreation Specialist Lisa White has enjoyed every bit of her interactions during her 10 years, including her work with Special Olympics and day camps. She enthusiastically described the passion she sees in the staff and volunteers, a sentiment shared by staff coordinator Anne Cosentino. Cosentino cited the many and unique strengths of each individual in the SEASPAR group, which contributes to the program’s success.

Administrators Carol Kocek and Georgia Weber have been with SEASPAR since 1979 and 1983 respectively, and both praise the organization for improving the quality of life for participants and their families.

 Kocek said, “We have known some of our adult participants since they were small children. They and their families feel like our families.”

 “The staff and board at SEASPAR are wonderful to work with,” said Weber, adding that without special recreational associations, no single community could provide such a comprehensive program. 

Illinois pioneered the formation of special recreational associations (SRAs) during the late 1960s. An SRA is a coordinated arrangement between multiple communities or park districts to share funding, staff and facilities.

Individual communities in the U.S. offer programs to special needs individuals, but may lack funds and enough participants to bring an idea to fruition. An SRA, simply put, expands resources and draws participants from a wider area to make a variety of activities feasible.

Funds to support SEASPAR come from property taxes, donations from many community organizations, grants, family participation fees and other means.

Recently hired Fund Development Coordinator Lisa Rasin began her association with SEASPAR as a volunteer and gives high praise to an organization that has made a difference for her nephew Jack.

Rasin is using her motivation to get financial support from the community and organizations. She coordinated a “New Orleans” benefit at the Tivoli Theatre for April 28, where patrons will be treated to an eight-piece Zydeco, blues and jazz band, along with another band providing musical comedy. A golf outing on July 22 is also in the works.

SEASPAR Board President Dan Garvy said that his involvement in SEASPAR makes him feel honored to witness the passion of the staff and especially the participants.

“Watching the way special needs individuals embrace life is inspiring,” he said. He again used the word “inspiring” to describe the efforts volunteers and staff who on a daily basis make a difference in other’s lives.

To find out more about SEASPAR’s fundraising events, please use the following links:

Tivoli Theatre, April 28

Village Greens Golf Outing, July 22