South East Association for Special Parks and Recreation

SEASPAR’s sole purpose is to provide dynamic programs and quality recreation services for people with disabilities residing in its twelve community service area.  This includes the park districts of Clarendon Hills, Darien, Downers Grove, LaGrange, LaGrange Park, Lemont, Lisle, Westmont, Woodridge, and the Villages of Brookfield, Indian Head Park, and Western Springs.  Anyone residing in those incorporated entities may participate in SEASPAR programs.

Since 1976, SEASPAR has provided year-round recreation programs for individuals with special needs. SEASPAR is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for all SEASPAR residents with disabilities by providing excellence in recreation through program and services.

It is SEASPAR’s Vision to:  Discover Abilities, Achieve Potential, and Realize Dreams.  Join us as you discover your abilities, achieve your potential, and realize your dreams!

SEASPAR was founded with and continues to operate with the following core values:  Fun, Excellence, Service, Respect, and Accountability.

Come out to discover, achieve, realize, and have FUN!

Make sure to stop by the Lisle Recreation Center, 1925 Ohio Street in Lisle to pick up your copy of SEASPAR's program brochure today! For additional information, call 630-960-7600.

Click Here To Visit SEASPAR's Website

SEASPAR is a Place Where Special Needs Families are Not Alone

Find out how SEASPAR is on a mission to provide every family with special needs plenty of fun activities and recreational opportunities while fueling lifelong friendships.

Although its offices are located in Downers Grove, SEASPAR provides quality services and recreation for residents of all ages with special needs served by its 12 members in Cook and DuPage counties, including the Village of Brookfield, Clarendon Hills Park District, Downers Grove Park District, Village of Indian Head Park, Park District of La Grange, Community Park District of La Grange Park, Lemont Park District, Lisle Park District, Village of Western Springs, Westmont Park District and Woodridge Park District.

The special recreation association is set up so that a family can take advantage of any program in any of the entities, not just where they happen to live.

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Do you want to make a difference in the life of a child with a disability, and get paid to do it? You’re in luck – SEASPAR is hiring Inclusion Aides!

Inclusion Aides are needed to support and assist one or more individuals with a disability requiring specialized intervention in order to participate in a park district program. Opportunities are available to work before-school and after-school programs, sports, preschool, holiday events, days off school, and more! Experience working with individuals with disabilities is preferred, but not required.

If you are interested and are 16 years of age or older, please complete an Inclusion Aide application online at SEASPAR.org, or contact Aaron Hirthe, Inclusion Manager, at 630-960-7600.

Click Here to Learn More or Apply Online

SEASPAR's EAGLES Discovered An Oasis For Monarch Butterflies

In the summer of 2015, SEASPAR's EAGLES group at the Lisle Recreation Center discovered an oasis for monarch butterflies and took the opportunity to explore the life cycle of this beautiful creature! This project has been especially meaningful for EAGLES, since it reinforces our belief that, "Until you spread your wings, you have no idea how far you can fly."

At the Lisle Recreation Center where our Lisle EAGLES meet, milkweed plants grow right outside of the building. Milkweed plants are the ONLY plants that monarch butterflies eat and use to lay their eggs.

Click Here To Watch the YouTube Video

As part of SEASPAR's continuum of recreation programs, inclusive services are provided for residents who wish to participate in general recreation programs. For many individuals with disabilities, participation alongside their peers without disabilities is a beneficial and rewarding experience. SEASPAR provides services to enhance existing programs by training staff, adapting activities, developing behavioral modifications and/or providing additional support staff.

The Lisle Park District welcomes and supports the participation of individuals with special needs in all programs, activities, and services. If any person wishing to participate in a Lisle Park District program has special needs that must be accommodated to enable participation, that person (or parent/guardian) must notify the Park District. The Lisle Park District will do what is reasonably possible to satisfy those needs.

Steps To Secure ADA Acommodations or Assistance for Lisle Park District Programming:

• 1. It is recommended to register for program(s) at least 2 weeks prior to program start date.
• 2. Submit a request for ADA Accommodation or Assistance in any program. This request is required at time of registration. Please fill out the assistance or accommodations section on our program registration form.
  Request includes, but is not limited to: Inclusion Aides, Sign Language Interpreters, Adaptive Equipment and Accessible Transportation.
• 3. Parent/Guardian will be contacted within 48 hours of registration to discuss and determine level of support needed. We will do our very best, but we can’t guarantee an aide will be secured prior to the program start date.
• 4. If we are able to secure an aide, SEASPAR (South East Association for Special Parks And Recreation) or the AIDE will contact you. For more information about SEASPAR, visit seaspar.org.
• 5. For more information, or if you have not heard anything a day prior to the program start date, please contact Jon Pratscher, Superintendent of Recreation at jpratscher@lisleparkdistrict.org

Engage Your Senses...at Wonders! SEASPAR's NEW Lisle Facility!

SEASPAR's new facility Wonders is located in the Lisle Recreation Center (East Side, Door 8), 1925 Ohio Street in LIsle. Our multi-sensory room contains interactive equipment that pleases your senses in a variety of unique and soothing ways.

Feel the vibration of the music as it plays through the Learning Chair, follow the motion of the bubbles as they move and change colors within the bubble tubes, make music with the wave of your hand, enjoy relaxing aromas, and make water ripple as you dip your toes into the pond projected on the floor.

Benefits of the multi-sensory room include:

• Improved mood
• Fewer disruptive behaviors
• Decreased anxiety
• Decreased fear
• Improved communication
• Enhanced interpersonal interactions

The room primarily benefits individuals of any age with:

• Autism/Autism Spectrum Disorders
• Sensory Processing Disorders
• ADHD
• Dementia

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Multi-Sensory Room Features

Wonders’ specially-designed equipment appeals to the auditory, tactile, olfactory, and visual senses.

The Gesturetek Cube stimulates the senses by creating an interactive projection on the floor with entertaining games and a mazing gesture-controlled special effects.

The Soundbeam 5 converts your physical movements into sound and music. Individuals are enabled to communicate and express themselves through this contact-free musical instrument.

Bubble tubes provide multi-sensory feedback and stimulate the visual system. Individuals can control color changes, color change speed, and bubble flow with the push of a button.

The Vibroacoustic Learning Chair offers beanbag styling with sink-in-the-center, mold-to-the-body comfort, while the back and armrests provide moderate support. Music is played through the chair so that the individual is surrounded by the music and can also feel its vibrations.

Essential aromatherapy oils can be diffused into the room, dispersing a calming and pleasing scent.

Several comforting items are also available, including the Jumbo Love Bug, a beanbag chair, aromatic stuffed animals, weighted blankets, squeeze balls, and more.

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Program Schedule

Registration through SEASPAR is required. All programs are a half hour long. Please refer to the current SEASPAR brochure, which can be picked up at the Lisle Recreation Center, 1925 Ohio Street in Lisle for additional details on the programs listed below.

Weekly Programs

Ages	Day	Time
5-10	Mondays	3:00-6:00pm
11-15	Tuesdays	3:30-6:30pm
16 & Up	Tuesdays	7:00-8:00pm
5-10	Wednesdays	3:30-6:30pm

Sensory Sundays

Ages	Time
3-5	1:00-2:00pm
6-10	2:00-3:00pm
11-15	3:00-4:00pm
Punch cards are required for access into the room. Cards are for $25 / 5 Visits & $50 / 12 Visits.

Mobility Motivation

Ages	Day	Time
All Ages	Thursdays	5:00-6:30pm

Music

Ages	Day	Time
All Ages	Fridays	4:00-6:00pm

Group Availability: Interested in bringing your group to Wonders? For more information, contact SEASPAR at 630-960-7600.

Waiting Area: A waiting area is adjacent to Wonders. Complimentary Wi-Fi and coffee are provided.