Park District of Oak Park Youth Programs and Camps
Indoor Playground at Stevenson Center, 218 Madison, Oak Park, IL 60302
About
Park District of Oak Park Youth Programs and Camps include children’s nature day camps, Summer Day Camp, swim lessons, ice skating, cooking, yoga, dance, aqua exercise, and Special Olympic training and competition. The programs also offer general recreation and social activities such as social clubs, movie nights, overnight trips, and access to Lekotek, a toy lending library. Environmental education programs for adults and children and other community events are also part of the offerings.
• Schedule: Austin Gardens Environmental Education Center public hours are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 12:00–1:00 PM.
Since 1976, the Park District of Oak Park has partnered with West Suburban Special Recreation Association (WSSRA) to provide year-round quality recreation services for children and adults with disabilities and to offer inclusive programming for residents and inclusion training for staff. WSSRA offers round-trip and pick-up-point transportation to and from many programs and provides professional, caring staff. The Park District of Oak Park and WSSRA partnered to create the Imaginarium Sensory Room for families, which features essential aromatherapy oils, calming music, and sensory toys and offers benefits such as decreased anxiety, fewer disruptive behaviors, and mental relaxation.
The Park District of Oak Park states that its mission is to enrich lives by providing meaningful experiences through programs, parks, and facilities, and WSSRA’s mission is to provide year-round quality recreation services for persons with disabilities with first class program opportunities, distinctive customer service, reliable transportation, professional, caring staff, and a safe and fun environment. The Park District of Oak Park has received multiple recognitions, including the 2025 National Gold Medal Award Grand Plaque for excellence in park and recreation management, the 2025 Platinum International Aquatic Safety Award, the Illinois Distinguished Accredited Agency Award, National Accreditation in Parks and Recreation, the Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management, and the GFOA Award for Excellence in Financial Reporting. The Austin Gardens Environmental Education Center is a LEED Platinum certified facility and is listed among Illinois’ 200 Great Places by the Illinois chapter of the American Institute of Architects.
Community involvement connected to these programs includes long-term participation in WSSRA, which serves multiple nearby communities, and a Trust for Austin Gardens held by the Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation with a value of close to $500,000, with proceeds available for extraordinary maintenance and recreation activities. Voltpost deploys a lamppost electric vehicle charger in collaboration with the Park District of Oak Park. Testimonials from participants and families describe experiences with skating lessons, pool passes, and teen pool nights, as well as the role of the Park District of Oak Park in their family routines.
Last updated January 10, 2026.
• Schedule: Austin Gardens Environmental Education Center public hours are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 12:00–1:00 PM.
Since 1976, the Park District of Oak Park has partnered with West Suburban Special Recreation Association (WSSRA) to provide year-round quality recreation services for children and adults with disabilities and to offer inclusive programming for residents and inclusion training for staff. WSSRA offers round-trip and pick-up-point transportation to and from many programs and provides professional, caring staff. The Park District of Oak Park and WSSRA partnered to create the Imaginarium Sensory Room for families, which features essential aromatherapy oils, calming music, and sensory toys and offers benefits such as decreased anxiety, fewer disruptive behaviors, and mental relaxation.
The Park District of Oak Park states that its mission is to enrich lives by providing meaningful experiences through programs, parks, and facilities, and WSSRA’s mission is to provide year-round quality recreation services for persons with disabilities with first class program opportunities, distinctive customer service, reliable transportation, professional, caring staff, and a safe and fun environment. The Park District of Oak Park has received multiple recognitions, including the 2025 National Gold Medal Award Grand Plaque for excellence in park and recreation management, the 2025 Platinum International Aquatic Safety Award, the Illinois Distinguished Accredited Agency Award, National Accreditation in Parks and Recreation, the Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management, and the GFOA Award for Excellence in Financial Reporting. The Austin Gardens Environmental Education Center is a LEED Platinum certified facility and is listed among Illinois’ 200 Great Places by the Illinois chapter of the American Institute of Architects.
Community involvement connected to these programs includes long-term participation in WSSRA, which serves multiple nearby communities, and a Trust for Austin Gardens held by the Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation with a value of close to $500,000, with proceeds available for extraordinary maintenance and recreation activities. Voltpost deploys a lamppost electric vehicle charger in collaboration with the Park District of Oak Park. Testimonials from participants and families describe experiences with skating lessons, pool passes, and teen pool nights, as well as the role of the Park District of Oak Park in their family routines.
Last updated January 10, 2026.
Is this your business? There is no cost, but you will be asked to sign up or log in.