History & Mission

The People for Elmhurst Parks Foundation is a grassroots 501 (3)© organization founded in 1985 to work in partnership with the Elmhurst Park District on special projects consistent with the Park Districts mission of providing open space, beauty, and recreational opportunities for the community.  Projects are selected each year that help to add valued components to many park projects, going above and beyond what can be provided with limited tax dollars.  For information on donating to the People for Elmhurst Parks Foundation, please call (630) 993-8924 or email pep@epd.org.

Membership & Volunteer Opportunities

If you are interested in becoming a PEP Board or committee member or volunteer, please visit (link to application) to complete a membership application.  For more information on the PEP Board or volunteering with PEP, please call (630) 993-8924 or email pep@epd.org.

 

PEP Fundraising Projects

The Playground for Everyone at Butterfield Park

The vision for the Playground for Everyone at Butterfield Park is one of inclusion. Imagine a playground where every child can participate in all elements of the design. A place where children of all abilities can play, socialize, and dream together; fostering acceptance, friendship, and understanding through play. For many children with disabilities this may represent the only place in their lives where they can swing, slide, climb, spin and play side-by-side with their friends and peers without having to abandon their usual means of mobility.  Such a playground will cost nearly $600,000 so PEP took the challenge to raise $250,000, over and above the $350,000 the Park District budgeted in their 2016 capital plan for playground replacement.

After months of fundraising, it was announced in April 2016 that the Playground for Everyone will be a reality at Butterfield Park. It will be one of a limited number of such playgrounds in the area, making it a destination for families in surrounding communities. The project broke ground on Saturday, June 18, 2016. Butterfield Park was closed throughout the summer 2016 and reopened with a grand opening event on Saturday, November 5, 2016.

Recreation Assistance Program

Money is raised throughout the year to provide financial assistance to disadvantaged Elmhurst families to allow them to participate in District recreational programs.  Families must apply for this assistance through the District’s registration department.  Click here for details on how to apply.

To donate to the program, simple send a check to PEP, P.O. Box xxx, Elmhurst, IL  60126 or donations are possible as a line item on all District registration forms.

Wilder Mansion Endowment Fund

This fund was created when the Wilder Mansion was renovated in order to provide dedicated funds toward the continued historic preservation of Wilder Mansion. Donations can be made to  PEP; Wilder Mansion Endowment Fund, P.O. Box xxx, Elmhurst, IL  60126.

PEP Fundraising Events

Touch a Truck

Each year at the September Touch a Truck event, PEP volunteers ask for donations to support the Recreation Assistance Program which helps disadvantaged families participate in District programs.

Touch a Truck event happens every fall in early September.

Park Palooza

Each year in August, PEP volunteers run the Beer Garden at Park Palooza, asking for donations to support the Recreation Assistance Program which helps disadvantaged families participate in District programs.

Park Palooza is every summer in August.

PEP & Kiwanis Golf Outing

The annual golf outing in May is coordinated by members of PEP and the Kiwanis Club of Elmhurst. Teams of four enjoy nine holes of “scramble format” golf, raffle prize drawings, and a buffet lunch at Sugar Creek Golf Course. Proceeds from the event benefit the Recreation Assistance Program and the Kiwanis Club of Elmhurst. For information on participating as a sponsor or golfer at this event, please call (630) 993-8924 or email pep@epd.org.

Event is every summer in May.

Be a Kid Again Fundraiser

The only event where grown-ups can be kids again; plans are still underway for this years event which will benefit Salt Creek Park.  Details will be forthcoming soon.

Past Projects

The People for Elmhurst Parks have played a significant role in providing support for value added Park District projects, raising over $500,000 since it’s inception

• Mobile Band Shell
• Spring Road Gazebo
• Safety Town
• Thor Guard Lightning Prediction System
• Park and Pool Benches, shade structures, benches, and equipment.This fund provides shade Athletic Equipment
• Baseball diamonds bat mounts
• Kiosks along the Prairie Path
• Lampposts along the Prairie Path