Great Parks Build Great Communities
The Urbana Parks Foundation
Nature when you need it

Wet shoes, dirty jeans and a memory of pond dipping with his classmates in Busey Woods. A student learned a few of the benefits of exploring the natural world on a school tour offered by the Anita Purves Nature Center. Today as a volunteer, he’s leading those tours.
A grass-stained jersey, first goal scored and ear-to-ear smile were the results for one young girl after a Saturday soccer game led by her volunteer coach. A few years later, teamwork and giving her best have become routine and part of her work ethic as a high school soccer player.
The Urbana Park District offers indoor and outdoor recreation for all ages. The opportunities it provides lead to lifelong healthy habits, hobbies, interests and friendships, letting everyone experience something fun, new, rewarding, memorable, meaningful. You probably have your own memories from a park, perhaps a deer seen in Meadowbrook or vibrant wildflowers in Busey Woods.
Have you ever wondered what it has taken for the wonderful Urbana park system to become what it is today?
The Campaign for the Health & Wellness Facility
Building for the Future

Supporting Urbana’s Park Systems
Nature, people, and community health
Tax dollars are the bedrock of support on which the Park District is built, but Urbana’s parks are the important community asset they are because of significant support received from other sources. That’s where the Urbana Parks Foundation (UPF) comes in. It was established to help meet the growing need for supplemental support by raising funds for district activities.
The UPF seeks donations from people and organizations who appreciate the value of parks or programs not just for their immediate esthetic or environmental value, but for the impact they have on future generations.
Urbana Parks are a Resource for Everyone.
Latest News
Urbana Parks Foundation successfully raises $2M to support Urbana Park District
Originally posted by WAND News on Nov 12, 2020 URBANA, Ill. (WAND) - The Urbana Parks Foundation announced the successful completion of a $2 million fundraising campaign titled, Campaign for the Next Century. The announcement was made by UPF President Fred Delcomyn...
Parks foundation raises $2 million during campaign
Originally Posted by WCIA News Channel 3: Nov 12, 2020 / 01:22 PM CST / Updated: Nov 12, 2020 / 01:24 PM CST URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — The Urbana Parks Foundation said they raised $2 million during their “Campaign for the Next Century.” In a news...
Urbana Parks Foundation Announces Successful $2 Million Fundraising Campaign to Support Urbana Park District
The Urbana Parks Foundation (UPF) announced the successful completion of a $2 million fundraising campaign titled, Campaign for the Next Century. The formal announcement was made by UPF President Fred Delcomyn during a virtual Toast to The Next Century which took...
Getting to Know UPF Trustee Marianne Downey
I am honored to be invited to become a Trustee on the Urbana parks Foundation Board. I intend to help support this important work in my new role as Trustee.
Guest blog post: Help someone else enjoy the amazing opportunities at the Urbana Park District
There are so many great opportunities out there, thanks to the Park District. Help make sure that even the most meager lifestyle can enjoy them, as well as for the folks who are on hard times right now.
The economic impact of local parks
The Urbana community directly benefits from the park programs, services, and facilities of the Urbana Park District. From coordinating events to ensuring well-maintained, clean, and safe open spaces, we depend on parks in our community. But did you know that parks extend value beyond the health and wellness of our community? In this blog post, we share more about how local parks are engines of economic activity.