Lincolnway Special Recreation Association

04/09/2026

Legislators vs. LWSRA/Synergy Hawks is BACK! 🏀

On Wednesday, September 2, we welcomed local legislators to the LWSRA gym for our first Legislators vs. LWSRA/Synergy Hawks Wheelchair Basketball Game since 2019!

The Hawks came ready to play, earning a 54–21 victory! 👏

This special event was held in collaboration with Representative Anthony DeLuca, who was joined by Representative Nicole LaHa, Representative Mary Gill, Representative Will Davis, Representative Dave Vella, Representative Rick Ryan and Senator Seth Lewis.

Before hitting the court, our guests also had the opportunity to tour our building and our Hero’s Village Sensory Garden to learn more about the programs and services offered at LWSRA.

We are honored to have these legislators spend time in our gym, experience wheelchair basketball firsthand and help us spread awareness of LWSRA’s mission and the power of inclusion for all.

Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make the return of this event such a memorable one! Until next time! 🏀

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📸 Photos from the Legislators vs. LWSRA/Synergy Hawks wheelchair basketball game, featuring Hawks athletes and local legislators competing on the court.
Illinois Association of Park Districts

01/09/2026

🎳 What a day at the lanes! On Saturday, August 29th, LWSRA had athletes compete in singles, ramp bowling and doubles at the 2026 Special Olympics Region E Bowling competition at Arena Lanes!

Our bowlers had a great showing, with 14 athletes finishing in the top three of their divisions! 🏆

🥇 First Place
Daniel “Danny” Gengo, Molly Leyden, Nicole Magee & Karen Merk, and Haley Nicola

🥈 Second Place
Jacob Brettman, Jake Hahn & Ryan Hickey, Tyler Olson, Courtney Paraday, Darla Ann Vogelsang and Daniel Walshon

🥉 Third Place
Tony DiGregorio and Judy Franks

4️⃣ Fourth Place
Alexander Drewry, Todd Kirchhoff and Brendan Winter

5️⃣ Fifth Place
Kavin Chandarana, Lexie Slota and Christopher Urban

6️⃣ Sixth Place
Marikate Murphy

Congratulations to all 21 of our LWSRA bowlers on a great day of competition!

28/08/2026

🎥This week’s 50 for 50 features LWSRA Athletics Supervisor Mak Nong! 🎥

Listen as Mak shares his experience with LWSRA and the impact of our adaptive athletics programs, including wheelchair basketball and more!

28/08/2026

Throwback Thursday to our 50th Anniversary Sneakerball! 👟✨

We can’t believe it’s already been two months since we celebrated 50 years of LWSRA, so we figured it was the perfect time to relive some of our favorite moments from the night!

From the dancing and music to reconnecting with friends, families, staff and supporters, it was a celebration we’ll always remember.

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Photo Description: A collection of photos from LWSRA’s 50th Anniversary Sneakerball featuring guests, staff, participants and supporters celebrating throughout the evening.

26/08/2026

🤠 A Night at the Country Western Dance!

On August 7th, participants enjoyed a fun-filled evening at Northern Will County Special Recreation Association's annual Country Western Dance! Guests were treated to a full dinner before hitting the dance floor for plenty of line dancing.

With cowboy hats, boots, music and lots of time spent with friends, it was a great night of country western fun!

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Photo Description: Photos of participants enjoying NWCSRA’s Country Western Dance, including dinner, line dancing, cowboy hats and time with friends.

25/08/2026

☀️ Wrapping Up Summer at Yunker Farm! ☀️

On August 22nd, participants enjoyed the End of Summer BBQ at the Mokena Community Park District Yunker Farm!

The evening included grilled hamburgers, chips and popsicles for dessert. Participants also enjoyed giant Connect Four, bags, hopscotch, sidewalk chalk and plenty of time at the splash pad!

It was a great way to celebrate the end of summer together!

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Photo Description: Photos of participants enjoying the End of Summer BBQ at Yunker Farm, including outdoor games, the splash pad and time together with friends.

24/08/2026

TITANS 2.0 had quite the adventure last week! 🌲☀️

Our TITANS spent the week getting outdoors and exploring, with a hike at Waterfall Glen, a trip to Starved Rock State Park, a day at Brookfield Zoo and a paddleboat tour in St. Charles! 🥾🦁🚢

TITANS are off this week, but we can’t wait to welcome everyone back to LWSRC for the start of our fall session next week! ❤️

ADA Photo Description: Photos of TITANS participants enjoying their TITANS 2.0 outings, including hiking, visiting Brookfield Zoo and taking a paddleboat tour.

21/08/2026

We hope you didn't miss our 50 for 50 too much! We’re back after a quick break from the busyness of summer! 🎉

Our 50 for 50 series continues with Jan Smith, who served as LWSRA’s Executive Director from 1991–1997.

Hear Jan reflect on her time with LWSRA, the memories she made and the growth she witnessed along the way.

20/08/2026

A strong showing in Omaha! 🥎🔥

The LWSRA Hawks competed in the NWSA Wheelchair Softball World Series over the weekend and finished in second place after a hard-fought championship game against the Courage Kenny Rolling Twins.
The Hawks also brought home some hardware with several All-Tournament Honors:
⭐ JR Boyer – Best Catcher
⭐ Keith Cooper – Best Right Fielder
⭐ Leo Onuki – Best Left Fielder
⭐ Devin Lockett – Golden Glove
⭐ Devin Lockett – Best Left Center
Congratulations to all of the teams that competed, and great work to our Hawks on a strong weekend in Omaha!
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Photo Description: Photos from the NWSA Wheelchair Softball World Series in Omaha, Nebraska, featuring the LWSRA Hawks posing together as a team and competing in wheelchair softball games throughout the weekend.

19/08/2026

Calling New Lenox Residents!

The New Lenox Community Park District is gathering feedback from New Lenox residents with disabilities, families, caregivers, and community members to better understand what’s working and where they can improve.

📅 Tuesday, September 8
📍 NLCPD Administration Building | 701 W. Haven Ave.
🕐 1:30–3:00 PM or 6:00–7:30 PM

If you require a modification to participate in the meeting, please email [email protected].

Can't make one of the sessions? You can still make your voice heard by completing their anonymous survey (New Lenox residents only)
👉 Take the Survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NLCPD-ADA

Help make New Lenox recreation more accessible for everyone. Your voice can help shape what comes next!

We Want to Hear From You!

What could we do to make our parks, facilities, and recreation programs more accessible for everyone?
The New Lenox Community Park District is gathering feedback from residents with disabilities, families, caregivers, and community members to better understand what’s working and where we can improve.

Your experience matters. Whether you’ve visited one of our parks, used one of our facilities, or participated in a recreation program, we want to hear your perspective.

📅 Tuesday, September 8
📍 NLCPD Administration Building | 701 W. Haven Ave.
🕐 1:30–3:00 PM or 6:00–7:30 PM

If you require a modification to participate in the meeting, please email [email protected].

Can't make one of the sessions? You can still make your voice heard by completing our anonymous survey:

👉 Take the Survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NLCPD-ADA

Help us make New Lenox recreation more accessible for everyone. Your voice can help shape what comes next!