Donations to Rockford Park District Foundation Fund New Bus Reducing Transportation Barriers to Vital Recreation Services

ROCKFORD, IL – Access to recreation! At Tuesday night’s Rockford Park District Board of Commissioners meeting, Commissioners approved the purchase of a new passenger bus. The Rockford Park District Foundation will fully fund the purchase thanks to donor support which helps fund areas of greatest need in the Rockford Park District.

The new bus will support a wide range of programming at Washington Park Community Center and Perks Family Equine Center at Lockwood Park. Washington Park Community Center relies on two vehicles to support its diverse programming, including student pick-up from West Middle School, Kennedy Middle School, Auburn High School, and Galapagos Charter School, as well as transportation for field trips, sports, and other enrichment activities.

The new bus will also expand access for various youth and teens to receive Equine Assisted Services at the Perks Family Equine Center at Lockwood Park. The Perks Family Equine Center at Lockwood Park is serving youth and teens living with mental health issues, developmental disabilities, trauma, domestic abuse, substance abuse, and other needs. Equine Assisted Services includes a variety of activities where horses help participants learn foundational social and emotional skills to enhance their well-being and interpersonal relationships.

“This is essential for meeting the transportation needs of the participants we serve. We are deeply grateful for the generous support from donors, which has enabled the Rockford Park District to invest in an area of greatest need and begin to remove one barrier to THE vital services provided by the Rockford Park District. This bus is more than just a ride, it’s an opportunity to learn a lifelong skill, make connections, and receive the intervention needed to improve lives and even save lives,” said Lori Berkes-Nelson, Rockford Park District Foundation Director.

In addition to expanding program reach, maintaining a high-quality, dependable, dedicated bus within the Rockford Park District reduces reliance on contracted transportation services, helps control operational costs, and allows for greater flexibility in scheduling.