Bartlett Park District - Bartlett Parks Foundation

JOIN THE BARTLETT PARKS FOUNDATION AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

The Bartlett Parks Foundation was founded in 2000 to help support the mission of the Bartlett Park District for items that are not usually funded by tax dollars, such as Recreation Scholarships, grants to the Nature Center, Artwork for the Community to enjoy, and other charitable works. For further information, please contact the Foundation at (630) 540-4824, or e-mail prussell@bartlettparks.org.

A TAX-DEDUCTIBLE CONTRIBUTION to the Foundation will help to enhance and culturally enrich the Park District and community of Bartlett. Thanks to generous donations by Barrington Orthopedic Specialists and Bartlett Rotary Club, the Foundation Trustees were able to present a $5,000 check to the Bartlett Park District’s Recreation Program Scholarship Fund to help with Bartlett families that are struggling financially. The Recreation Scholarship Fund and Art in the Parks initiative are funded solely from memberships in the Foundation and from special events offered throughout the year such as the Turbo Turtle Race held annually at the Fourth of July festival.

The Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation; any contribution made to the organization is tax-deductible as allowable by law. A donation of $100 or more to the Bartlett Parks Foundation will be recognized with an engraved leaf or boulder installed on the Giving Tree, located in the lobby of the Bartlett Community Center.

Annual Twilight Golf Outing
Due to the extensive flooding of the Apple Orchard Golf Course from the heavy rains on September 13-14, the September 19th Twilight Golf outing had to be canceled. We expect that the event will come back next year even bigger and better. The Foundation would like to thank the sponsors of this year's event to help purchase the glow-balls and glow sticks, which will be used for next year's outing: Williams Construction Management, Bartlett Park District Superintendents, John Dwyer's Bartlett Tavern & Grill, Harris N.A. Bank Bartlett, Ted & Diane Lewis, Brian McGuire, Palatine Oil Company, Patriot Real Estate Title Services, Villa Olivia Country Club, William Tiknis, and Williams Associates Architects. Raffle prizes were donated by: American Chartered Bank, Apple Orchard Golf Course, Bartlett Park District, Marianne Cordell, Dick's Sporting Goods, Elgin Broadcasting Company, Hilton Garden Inn, Steven Karoliussen, Patriot Real Estate Title Services, Patricia Russell, Susan Stocks, and Villa Olivia Country Club. Golfer's Goody bag sponsors were: Apple Orchard Golf Course, Bartlett Parks Foundation, Bartlett Park District, Dick's Sporting Goods, Just Magnificent Limo, and Patriot Real Estate Title Services.

Turbo Turtle Race
The 5th Annual Turbo Turtle Race was held at the Bartlett Aquatic Center on July 4, 2008. The first place prize of $1,000 cash was won by Mike Williams of Williams Associates Architects of Carol Stream, IL. Williams generously donated the first prize amount back to the Foundation for the recreation scholarship fund. The Foundation wishes to thank the sponsors of the event: Harris N.A. Bank Bartlett, Williams Associates Architects, and Profile Graphics. Another big thanks goes out to everyone who purchased a turtle ticket and cheered on their turtles. We hope you will join us in another exciting Turbo Turble Race next year.

Fishing Derby
The Bartlett Parks Foundation partnered with the Bartlett Park District and Bartlett Nature Center on this year's FREE annual Fishing Derby. This family-friendly program was held on Saturday, August 9th at Beaver Pond on Kingston Lane in Bartlett. It was a great way for families to spend time with their children and experience the great American pastime of fishing. Although the weather didn't cooperate as well as we would have liked, over 300 children and their parents came out for the event. Awards were presented for the largest fish caught in several categories and in several age groups, and area business donated some great raffle prizes.

Art in the Parks
In the past few years the Foundation has donated several statues to the Bartlett Park District for the enjoyment of our community. The statue pictured above of "three kids on a fence" can be found outside of the Log Cabin in Bartlett Park. Other statues are in front of Bartlett Community Center and Bartlett Aquatic Center, Oak Grove Park, and once the park renovations are complete this summer, a statue will be placed at Leiseberg Park. The Foundation also purchased several paintings to enhance the Bartlett Community Center lobby.

Planned Giving
Have you ever given any thought to leaving a legacy to your community? The Bartlett Parks Foundation is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization and is able to accept a bequest or donation that could benefit the community of Bartlett or the Bartlett Park District. For further information, please contact Trustee Ted Lewis at (847) 428-0686 or (630) 830-1332.

Calling All Volunteers...
The Bartlett Parks Foundation is looking for some dedicated people to help with various activities. We need help organizing events, publicity, putting up signs, writing letters, fundraising activities, etc. If you would like to contribute some of your time, energy and experience, please contact the Foundation at (630) 540-4824, or e-mail prussell@bartlettparks.org.