our MISSION
The mission of the Friends of Lake Forest Parks & recreation Foundation is to facilitate the growth, development and improvement of the Lake Forest Parks and Recreation facilities and offerings to the community.
ABOUT US
Established in 2000 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the Friends of Lake Forest Parks & Recreation Foundation (the "Friends") promotes excellence in our parks and recreation system by helping build and improve beautiful parks, organize and host community events and activities, and manage and execute philanthropic gifts relating to the parks and public spaces in Lake Forest. Lake Forest Parks and Recreation offers family-friendly events, beautiful parks, recreation facilities, and over 500 programs and activities to thousands of residents in the Lake Forest community.
The Friends is a volunteer-run organization that is not part of the city's government but works closely with the city's Parks and Recreation Department. Since 2000, the Friends has committed more than one million dollars in funding our mission of supporting Lake Forest Parks and Recreation, connecting our community and enriching lives. Additionally we help build beautiful parks, make improvements and expand recreational activities. The Friends' independent status gives us flexibility and latitude to execute our mission and the mission of our donors.
Support from corporate partners plays a critical role in helping the Friends reach our goal of enhancing the lives of Lake Forest residents.
FRIENDS OF LAKE FOREST PARKS & RECREATION FOUNDATION BOARD
| BOARD POSITIONS | |
| Jackie Greca - President | Joe Oriti - Treasurer |
| Nicole Fabiano-Oertel - Vice President |
Brian Larisey - Secretary |
| BOARD MEMBERS | ||
| Rick Amos | Mike MacDougal |
Rick Zigler |
| Kendall Westrich Davis | Kevin Magnuson | Elizabeth Chung-Hall |
| Fred Jackson | John Oertel |
Parks & Recreation Staff: |
| Steve Malin |
P.J. O'Neil |
Joe Mobile |
PURPOSE:
- Identify and promote philanthropic opportunities for community members to support via donations that are focused on parks and recreation facilities and activities. We recently participated in creating the 10-year Strategic Master Plan for the City of Lake Forest Parks and Recreation Department.
- Raise money via donations and community events such as the Fred Jackson Golf Classic, Lake Forest Festival & Fireworks, Lake Forest Music Festival, and the Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony to fund various programs for the Parks and Recreation Department.
- Support families with financial limitations.
- Promote the Lake Forest Parks and Recreation Department and our city's beautiful natural environment through activities that boost awareness and connect the community.
Facilitate philanthropic donations within the community, as a pass-through entity.Provide an organization that helps to manage and execute the vision of philanthropic donors to the community.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
The Friends Foundation has been an integral part of the Deerpath Golf Course Renovation Project. The City of Lake Forest began renovating the Deerpath Golf Course in 2016 with improvements to the club house and patio, installation of a continuous paved cart path, drainage, and tree work. Additionally, the Friends Foundation funded a new comfort station and golf cart fleet. The Lawn at Deerpath, a world-class short game/putting area, will debut this spring.
In addition to our work at Deerpath Golf Course, the Friends Foundation has impacted all facets of our community with a wide variety of projects including the following:
- Provide funding for need-based program scholarships and grants for Kinderhaven teacher professional development
- Raised funds to purchase the first-ever, state-of-the-art Fire & Rescue Boat for use at Lake Forest lakefront and beach
- Managed the memorial donations received on behalf of Steven Malin, Jr. to create Malin Field at Everett Park
- Built a basketball court at Waveland Park in memory of Daniel Jaekel
- Raised funds to build the Townline Park Pavilion
- Purchased sailboats for our #1 rated Lake Forest Sailing Program
- Built the Matthew Parsky Memorial Garden at Deerpath Community Park
- Sponsored the Junior Olympic Sailing Regatta
- Built the Kreisher Memorial Batting Cage at Deerpath Community Park
- Managed donations for the North Beach Bluff Restoration Project
- Created several Friends signature fundraising events including the Annual Fred Jackson Golf Classic, Lake Forest Festival & Fireworks, Lake Forest Music Festival, and the Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony
Our fundraising events bring friends, families, and the entire community together! Proceeds from these events help support the enhancement of Lake Forest Parks & Recreation Department's programs, services, facilities, and need-based activity scholarships for families in the community.
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
- Support from corporate partners plays a critical role in helping the Friends reach our goal of enhancing the lives of Lake Forest residents.
