At its regular meeting on Thursday, December 10, the Naperville Park District was honored to receive two awards from Western DuPage Special Recreation Association (WDSRA), an organization based in Carol Stream. Tammy Kerrins, Inclusion Manager of WDSRA, presented both awards: one to the organization and one to a Park District staff member.

WDSRA’s Accessibility Award was presented to the Park District for the use of its Sportsman’s Clubhouse for various events involving WDSRA participants.

“Naperville Park District has consistently given WDSRA access to Sportsman’s Clubhouse for our Rec & Roll day program for adults with disabilities and our Girl Scout troop for young girls with disabilities,” said Kerrins. “Being able to have a private, accessible, consistent space for these programs is imperative to establish a safe environment for learning, socializing and having fun.”

The second honor, the Emily Towne Memorial Award, recognizing ongoing support of inclusion services, was given to Program Manager Brock Atwell. According to Kerrins, “(Atwell) has demonstrated a remarkable sense of willingness and devotion to individuals who have special needs and to the inclusion process . . . by (rolling) out the welcome mat for those with special needs who have participated in Naperville Park District programs.”

Atwell has been employed by the Naperville Park District since early 2007.

WDSRA is a nationally acclaimed, not-for-profit organization and a cooperative extension of nine park districts including Bloomingdale, Carol Stream, Glen Ellyn, Naperville, Roselle, Warrenville, West Chicago, Wheaton and Winfield. The organization provides a full range of inclusion services for any program offered through a participating park district.

For more information about Western DuPage Special Recreation Association, visit www.wdsra.com.

For information on all of the Naperville Park District’s programs and services, visit Naperville Park District, or call 630-848-5000.