Through the Oak Lawn Parks Foundation, residents and local businesses have the opportunity to help support a variety of programs. The Foundations' goal is to raise additional funds to promote healthy recreational activities for all individuals of the Oak Lawn community.

Over the years the Foundation has donated over $100,000 to many park district programs and facilities. The Foundation has provided funds for the Stony Creek Golf Complex and Special Recreation programs and the development of Eagle Eye Neighborhood Watch Program.

In 1995 the Oak Lawn Park District developed the Eagle Eye Neighborhood Watch Program which promotes community responsibility for the activities that take place in the neighborhood parks. In 1997 the Oak Lawn Parks Foundation took the program over from the park district. In recent years the foundation has worked cooperatively with IAPD to bring the program nationwide status. This program grows every year and as of 2007 it is in 39 communities in 13 states.

The Foundation also established the Memorial Tree and the Tree to a Tee programs. Funds raised by these programs help to beautify various parks and the golf course with the planting of trees to commemorate a person or occasion.

This fiscal year alone the Oak Lawn Parks Foundation has donated over $10,000 for various Park District programs. Donations include: $700 for new uniforms for the Special Recreation softball team; $1000 for Special Recreation basketball team uniforms; $500 for the junior golf program; $7000 for the purchase of club cart protectors at the Stony Creek Golf Complex and $5200 for a new convection oven for the clubhouse. The funds donated this year have helped Oak Lawn Park District provide better services and programs for the residents of Oak Lawn and the neighboring communities that we serve.

The continued donations of the Oak Lawn Parks Foundation have assisted the Oak Lawn Park District in fulfilling our mission, which is to promote a strong sense of community by providing cultural and recreational opportunities in a fun and safe environment. Our goal is to enhance the quality of life for all ages, abilities and ethnic backgrounds by offering a variety of leisure services that will promote physical and mental wellness. We are devoted to preserving open space as well as establishing and maintaining beautiful parks and facilities.

The Oak Lawn Parks Foundations' generosity and their commitment to the enhancement and the beautification of Oak Lawn this year and every year is why we feel they are deserving of the 2007 NRPA Great Lakes Region Partnership Award.