The Des Plaines Friends of the Parks is a volunteer organization dedicated to enriching the lives of the youth of Des Plaines. We sponsor a number of fun events throughout the year, and provide scholarships for participation in Des Plaines Park District programs.

We are always looking for new members and volunteers to support our efforts. If you love Des Plaines as much as we do, considering being a part of this important community organization.

For more information, please call Trish at 847-391-5089.
Visit our website:  DesPlainesFriendsOfTheParks.org

2021 Financial Aid Scholarship Information will be posted December 1, 2020!

2020 DUAL AGENCY FINANCIAL AID SCHOLARSHIPS

In collaboration, the Des Plaines Friends of the Parks Scholarship Fund & the Des Plaines Park District Scholarship Fund are offering dual agency financial aid scholarships to families with limited incomes residing within the Des Plaines Park District’s boundaries. Families who do not reside in the boundaries but are enrolled in Community Consolidated School District 62, Maine West High School, or the City of Des Plaines boundaries are eligible for a Des Plaines Friends of the Parks Scholarship.

Beginning January 1, 2020 we will be offering a Dual Agency Financial Aid Scholarship that will offer families the opportunity to receive more funds with the combining of both scholarship programs.

Application Acceptance Period:

 January 1, 2020–September 1, 2020

SCHOLARSHIPS MUST BE USED BY OCTOBER 1, 2020

 The requirements for approval for the Dual Agency Financial Aid Scholarship:

1. Proof of residency and/or enrollment in District 62 or Maine West High School: Must attach proof of residency or school enrollment letter to application
2. Annual Gross Income (Forms 1040 & 1099): Must attach a copy of your family’s most recent federal income tax return (1040) to application
3. All Tax Forms (1040/1099) are required from all responsible parties including those who are married and filing separately.
4. *If you cannot show documentation for proof of income you will be required to provide more information: Must attach a copy of a social agency or school referral letter to application. Application will be reviewed by a team from both agencies; timeline for approval/denial will be 4 weeks.

 Interested parents/guardians should fill out the attached application completely and return to:

Des Plaines Park District
2222 Birch Street
Des Plaines, IL 60018
Attention: Dual Agency Financial Aid Scholarship Fund.

• Applicants are responsible for program registration in person at the Administrative & Leisure Center with Award Letter.
• Program registration is a separate procedure, and is based upon availability and scholarship eligible programs.
• Approval and/or Denial Award Letters will be sent via email & us mail within three weeks of submission date.
• Applicants who are missing information will be sent a decline letter and have one week after the Application Acceptance Period closes to turn in additional information.
• Applicants can register prior to scholarship approval and pay for the program. If a scholarship is approved, the applicant can receive a refund by submitting a refund request form with Approval Letter attached.

Download the Dual Agency Scholarship Application.
Applications are also available at the Leisure Center  & Prairie Lakes Community Center

PLEASE NOTE ALL FUNDS FOR THIS SCHOLARSHIP HAVE BEEN DISTRIBUTED!

2020-2021 EDUCATIONAL FINANCIAL AID SCHOLARSHIPS

The Des Plaines Friends of the Parks, through the generosity of Rivers Casino, is proud to offer full tuition educational scholarships for families with limited income residing within Community Consolidated School District 62 or the city of Des Plaines. These scholarships are valid for Des Plaines Park District educational programming for School Year September 14, 2020 – May 21, 2021.

Application Acceptance Period:

 January 1, 2020–July 15, 2020

SCHOLARSHIPS MUST BE USED BY OCTOBER 1, 2020

 The requirements for approval for the Educational Scholarship:

1. Proof of residency and/or enrollment in District 62 or Maine West High School: Must attach proof of residency or school enrollment letter to application
2. Annual Gross Income (Forms 1040 & 1099): Must attach a copy of your family’s most recent federal income tax return (1040) to application
3. All Tax Forms (1040/1099) are required from all responsible parties including those who are married and filing separately.
4. *If you cannot show documentation for proof of income you will be required to provide more information: Must attach a copy of a social agency or school referral letter to application. Application will be reviewed by a team from both agencies; timeline for approval/denial will be 4 weeks.

 Interested parents/guardians should fill out the attached application completely and return to:

Des Plaines Park District; Administrative & Leisure Center

2222 Birch Street, Des Plaines, IL 60018

Attention: Educational Scholarship Fund.

• Applicants are responsible for program registration in person at the Administrative & Leisure Center with Award Letter.
• Program registration is a separate procedure, and is based upon availability and scholarship eligible programs.
• Approval and/or Denial Award Letters will be sent via email & us mail within three weeks of submission date.
• Applicants who are missing information will be sent a decline letter and have one week after the Application Acceptance Period closes to turn in additional information.
• Applicants can register prior to scholarship approval and pay for the program. If a scholarship is approved, the applicant can receive a refund by submitting a refund request form with Approval Letter attached.

Download the Des Plaines Friends of the Parks Educational Scholarship Application.
Applications are also available at the Leisure Center and Prairie Lakes Community Center.

Our great thanks to Rivers Casino for their generosity.

GOLF IN THE DARK

Please note the 2020 Golf in the Dark Event has been cancelled , we look forward to seeing everyone in 2021!

Our most important fundraising event each year is the popular Golf in the Dark event at the Lake Park Golf Course.
An evening of fun glow-in-the-dark-golf, with food & drinks, prizes & raffles—all for a great cause!
Plus, it’s a great opportunity for businesses to help sponsor our organization,
and provide much needed scholarship money for Des Plaines youth.