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.

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, 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.

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 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.

2008 Turbo Turtle Race
The 5th Annual Turbo Turtle Race will be held at the Bartlett Aquatic Center at 4:00 p.m. on July 4, 2008. This is the Foundation's largest fundraiser of the year. 1,000 plastic turtles will be launched into the outdoor pool and carried by the wind to the opposite end where a Foundation Trustee will pull out the first several turtles for some great prizes. The first place prize is $1,000 cash. Tickets are only $10 each and help support the Foundation's charitable works. Tickets will go on sale April 19th at the Earth Day Event at the James 'Pate' Philip State Park and May 1, 2008 at the Registration Counter. They can also be purchased at a booth at the Farmer's Market every Friday in June, or from any of the Foundation Trustees. Make sure to reserve your turtles early, since only 1,000 are available. If you would like to be a sponsor of this exciting family event, or if you would like to donate a prize, please contact the Bartlett Parks Foundation at (630) 540-4824, or e-mail prussell@bartlettparks.org.

2008 Earth Day
The Bartlett Parks Foundation is partnering with the Bartlett Nature Center on this year's Earth Day event. This family-friendly program will be held on Saturday, April 19th from 12:00 Noon to 4:00 p.m. at the Bartlett Nature Center, located at the James "Pate" Philip State Park, 2054 W. Stearns Road, Bartlett. There will be lots of activities for both children and adults. Come on out and celebrate Spring at the Nature Center. Learn about conservation, recycling, and preserving our ecological treasures with interactive displays and demonstrations.

Annual Twilight Golf Outing
Our third annual Twilight Golf Outing will take place on Friday, September 19th at the Apple Orchard Golf Course. Dinner will be provided, and golf will commence after dark using glowing golf balls and glow sticks. Be sure to reserve the date and come out and join in this hilarious and fun event. If you would like to be a sponsor of this event or have a prize to donate for the raffle, please contact the Foundation at (630) 540-4824, or e-mail prussell@bartlettparks.org.

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.

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.