LWSRA Details Services for Residents with Disabilities, Plans ‘Hero Village’ Grand Opening

Article Summary: Keith Wallace, Executive Director of the Lincolnway Special Recreation Association (LWSRA), presented an overview of the agency’s services to the Frankfort Square Park District board, highlighting its support for 493 participants and announcing the September 25 grand opening of its new, inclusive “Hero Village.”

Lincolnway Special Recreation Association (LWSRA) Key Points:

• LWSRA provides recreation and leisure services for individuals with physical or intellectual disabilities across eight member park districts, including Frankfort Square.

• The agency currently serves 493 participants in over 5,700 program sessions, with 40 participants residing in the Frankfort Square Park District.

• A grand opening for LWSRA’s “Hero Village,” featuring sensory sheds, an adaptive playground, and an ADA-accessible Story Walk, is set for September 25.

• The presentation prompted the Park District to consider building its own sensory room at The Square facility.

The Frankfort Square Park District board on Thursday, August 21, 2025, heard a detailed presentation from Keith Wallace, Executive Director of the Lincolnway Special Recreation Association (LWSRA), on the vital services the agency provides to residents with disabilities in the community.

Wallace, who has been with LWSRA for 20 years, explained that the agency’s mission is to offer recreation services for individuals with disabilities while promoting greater community awareness. He noted the significant need for such programs, stating that one in five individuals has some form of disability.

Established in 1976, LWSRA is an extension of eight member park districts: Crete, Frankfort, Frankfort Square, Manhattan, Mokena, New Lenox, Peotone, and Wilmington. It also holds cooperative agreements with Monee and Homer Townships.

Wallace reported that LWSRA currently serves 493 participants across 5,777 program sessions. Of those, 40 participants are Frankfort Square Park District residents. The agency offers a wide range of programs for diverse skill levels, including for ages 2-6 and 7-13, teen programs, Special Olympics, and after-school and adult day programs. A sensory mobile van also allows LWSRA to reach individuals outside of its normal program locations.

A major upcoming project is the grand opening of LWSRA’s Hero Village on September 25 at Leigh Creek Park. The village will include an adaptive playground, an ADA-accessible Story Walk for the visually impaired, and sensory sheds that will be installed in four phases. “The sensory sheds will be open to the public where all can play together,” Wallace explained.

Financially, Wallace noted that the agency’s expenses in 2023-2024 were higher than its revenues, and it continues to seek new funding opportunities. LWSRA also operates the nation’s largest wheelchair sports program not affiliated with a rehabilitation hospital.

The presentation was met with appreciation from the board. Commissioner Lauren Breedlove mentioned she is aware of families who would benefit from LWSRA’s services. The discussion also sparked a new idea for the park district itself, with Executive Director Audrey Marcquenski stating that the district could consider building a sensory room at The Square in response to a request for a similar opportunity.