LEMONT
Suburban Life YOUR NEW LEMONT REPORTER/MET
Nat Hunt hits a target held by instructor Sue Helsdon during the SEASPAR karate class Feb. 8 at True Balance Karate in Downers Grove.
By DAN FARNHAM dfarnham@shawmedia.com
Bill Ackerman - For Shaw Media
DOWNERS GROVE he Southeast Association for Special Park and Recreation is celebrating its 40th year of providing recreational services for local residents with special needs. SEASPAR, based out of Downers Grove, serves 12 park districts and recreation departments in southeastern DuPage County and western Cook County. The park districts of Darien, Downers Grove, Lisle, Westmont and Woodridge started the association in 1976. SEASPAR Executive Director Susan Friend, who joined the association in 1979, has witnessed its growth. “SEASPAR was in near constant change mode in the very beginning,” she said. “We were adding a new community every two years.” Friend said the movement toward special recreation districts started in the 1960s, when people with special needs became more accepted in society. “People with disabilities not too many generations ago did not necessarily go to school,” she said. Besides school, families were looking for recreation opportunities for their children.
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TURNING 40 SEASPAR celebrates 40 years of providing recreational services for those with special needs
See SEASPAR, page 3
FRIDAY, MARCH 4, 2016 | $1.50 | MYSUBURBANLIFE.COM/LEMONT
Vol. 88 No. 11 | LEM | LMR
YOUR WEEKEND FORECAST
Source: National Weather Service
03/16/16
03/16/16
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
High: 36 Low: 32
High: 41 Low: 28
High: 47 Low: 38
Partly sunny and breezy
Partly sunny, chance of rain and snow
Mostly sunny and warmer