Champaign-Urbana Special Recreation

06/03/2026

🎳🏐It's not too late to join our Special Olympics team! Sign up for Mustang bowling or volleyball!

🔗REGISTER | https://bit.ly/4u6FkaN

06/02/2026

🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️Happy Pride Month from CU Special Recreation!

🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️Happy Pride Month from the Champaign Park District!

06/01/2026

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT: Our Internet went out today and will likely be down for the next few days. This means our main phone lines are currently not operational. While we wait for the issue to be resolved, please contact us at the following phone numbers instead:

For general inquiries/main line: 217-991-0908
For camp inquiries: 217-991-0864

Thank you again for your cooperation!

06/01/2026

Happy first day of camp! You may have noticed that construction for our circle drive has begun in front of our facility. This means that our front entrance and lobby are closed until construction finishes in August. The good news is that we are still open! Come to the entrance on the west side of the building next to the tennis courts. The door will be locked for safety reasons, but you can ring the doorbell or give us a call at 217-819-3980 for assistance.

Thank you for your patience and cooperation as we navigate construction this summer!

06/01/2026

Congratulations to Art Mart! And thank you for your continued support of CU Special Recreation!

Linda Davis Ballard and Courtney McKay will be honored at a banquet Wednesday evening at the I-Hotel and Conference Center.

05/29/2026

Have you heard the news? Adults Day In got even better! We now offer longer hours and a 5-day option to meet more participant needs.

🔗 REGISTER TODAY | https://bit.ly/4wTmgza

05/28/2026

📣Construction update!

Due to the ongoing construction, access to the CU Special Recreation Center front entrance is currently closed.

All scheduled programs that are currently in session will continue as planned. Additional communication will be sent out prior to each program with instructions on how to access the building during program hours.

Program registration is still available by phone or online.

05/28/2026

In case you missed it, registration for the 2026 Cupcake 5K is officially open! 🧁 Will we see you there?

📅 Sun, Nov 1
⏰ 9am
📍 Carle at the Fields

🔗 REGISTER NOW AT THE EARLY BIRD RATE | https://bit.ly/4tVSMik

05/27/2026

Looking for a fun way to support CU Special Recreation? Look no further than the second annual Flamazing Race! 🦩 At The Flamazing Race, you get a chance to race a rubber flamingo (or 10!) down the lazy river at Sholem Aquatic Center. Winners even receive exciting prizes.

📅 Fri, Aug 14
⏰ 5pm
📍 Sholem Aquatic Center

🔗 GET YOUR FLAMINGO(s) TODAY! | https://bit.ly/4tdqlMx

05/26/2026

Today, Champaign Park District broke ground on a grant-funded project for Champaign-Urbana Special Recreation. Local and state officials, including Governor Pritzker, were in attendance to celebrate the start of the project.

“This new project will provide the community with so much more than a space to get active and enjoy the outdoors. It will help our children find a sense of independence, confidence, and belonging,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Endeavors like this speak so much to who we are as a state — a place where accessibility and inclusion aren’t just words, but something we build and invest in.”

Champaign Park District announced it was being awarded the $600,000 Open Space Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) grant from the State of Illinois in 2025. The grant funds will be used to create an inclusive play area and circle drive at the CUSR Center.
Champaign Park District’s OSLAD funding will go toward creating the All Abilities Activities Hub—an accessible outdoor space that prioritizes inclusion for people of all abilities and ages.

In addition to the All Abilities Activities Hub, the grant will fund the construction of a circle drive in front CUSR Center for easy bus pick-up and drop-off, accessible pathways to the rear of the building, and walking paths to select exercise and play equipment.

“We are beyond excited to kick off this long-awaited project for CU Special Recreation,” said Sarah Sandquist, Champaign Park District’s Executive Director. “This grant allows us to expand inclusive programming opportunities and provide a safer experience for our participants, and we are deeply grateful for the state’s support.”

This project’s estimated cost is $1,067,216, with $600,000 being reimbursed from OSLAD funding. The projected completion date is May 2027.