About Us

About Belvidere Special Recreation Cooperative Partnership

Belvidere Park District Special Recreation and Northlands Association for Special Recreation (NASR) is a cooperative partnership between the Belvidere, Freeport, and Rockford Park Districts (referred to as a member district). Programs are open to any individual with a disability-related special need such as physical, mental, and developmental disabilities, and persons with mental illness, behavior disorders, visual or hearing impairments. Member district residents are invited to participate in specialty/therapeutic (TR) programs offered through any member district at the resident rate. For participation in inclusion services at a member district other than your own, you must pay the non-resident rate for that specific program.

MISSION

It is the mission of the Belvidere Park District Special Recreation in partnership with Northlands Association for Special Recreation (NASR) at the Belvidere Park District to educate our citizens to become more responsible, productive, healthy, and contributing members of society by preparing them through recreation with a dynamic and caring environment, which excited and invites them all to participate.

VISION

The vision of Belvidere Park District Special Recreation is to increase community awareness of the programs and services offered to individuals with disabilities throughout Boone County at the Belvidere Park District through meaningful leisure activities in the least restrictive environment.

PURPOSE

The purpose of Special Recreation is to work cooperatively with member districts (Belvidere, Freeport, and Rockford Park Districts) to offer high quality programs and services to the individuals in which we serve. Special Recreation programs are open to any individual with a disability-related special need such as physical, mental, and developmental disabilities and persons with mental illness, behavior disorders, and visual or hearing impairments. Participation is not limited to Special Recreation programming. Individuals are invited and encouraged to attend any park district program, while utilizing inclusion services.

INCLUSION OPPORTUNITIES

Special Recreation understands that not every person with a disability requires Special Recreation services. Special Recreation and the Belvidere Park District invites people, of all ages, with disabilities to participate in programs throughout the Belvidere Park District seasonal program guides. Special Recreation and the Belvidere Park District will work cooperatively to assist any resident who wishes to participate in a park district program. The park district will make reasonable accommodations and will work with the registrant, his or her family, and others to ensure a safe and enjoyable leisure experience. If you are interested in participating in a park district program, please contact the Special Recreation office, 815-547-5711 x 600. We will then support your participation through observations & assessments, in-service or staff training, and provide community leisure resources.