Rockford Park District Foundation focused on fundraising for Indoor Equine Center at Lockwood Park

The need for an indoor riding arena at Lockwood Park, 5201 Safford Road, Rockford, has been a part of the Rockford Park District’s Action Plan for years, but the urgency for this unique opportunity to serve the needs of youth living with mental health issues, developmental disabilities, trauma, domestic abuse, substance abuse, and other needs has been elevated, especially with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Building an indoor equine center at Lockwood Park and providing equine assisted programming by teaming up with trained clinical therapists will play a major role in the intervention needed for area youth in crisis.

Tonight, the Rockford Park District Board of Commissioners asked the Rockford Park District Foundation to update fundraising priorities and focus on raising the remaining funding needed for the Indoor Equine Center at Lockwood Park.

For nearly 40 years, the Rockford Park District Foundation has helped fundraise for people, projects, and places.  The Park District had already begun pursuing funding opportunities to secure the estimated $4 million to $6 million needed to build the facility, along with future operational support for the indoor equine center.

To date more than 1.5 million dollars has been committed, thanks to the Perks Family Foundation, the Blazer Foundation, the Smith Charitable Foundation, Pam and Jim Keeling, and most recently, the Winnebago County Community Mental Health Board (WCCMHB).

“The need and urgency for this type of center is great so we are very appreciative of the support we’ve already received financially. We have always known the important role recreation plays in the health and well-being of our community but receiving funding from the Winnebago County Community Mental Health Board gives credibility to the critical role we play in improving the mental health of our community,” said Jay Sandine, Rockford Park District Executive Director.

The Rockford Park District has committed $2 million to support the building of the Indoor Equine Center at Lockwood Park. The Park District Foundation will raise an additional $2,440,000.

The Park District Board of Commissioners supported the development of Lockwood Park as a regional park location to strategically invest in, based upon the 2018 Community Engagement Survey, and subsequent Strategic Action Plan.

In August of 2021, the Rockford Park District began a series of meetings to engage with community stakeholders and other interested parties to determine whether an investment in an indoor equine center at Lockwood Park would be supported.

As a result of the meetings, and through additional information gathered from customer surveys and benchmark data, it was determined that an indoor equine center was the most important need for the park and would be a vital addition to the community to serve the needs of youth living with mental health issues, developmental disabilities, trauma, domestic abuse, substance abuse, and other needs.

Why horses?? Equine-assisted learning activities work in part because of the natural ability horses have to pick up on human emotional expressions and needs.

Particularly patient, perceptive, and attuned to displays of fear, anger, agitation, and despair, horses can mirror human moods in a nonjudgmental way, without motive or expectations. As a person bonds with the horse, self-awareness grows, and emotional healing often takes place.

“The year-round flexibility to provide this expanded programming of equine assisted activities and/or equine assisted psychotherapy through partnerships with organizations such as ours, creates avenues for lasting change to help even the most difficult to reach youth.

“I have witnessed transformational development with the use of equine assisted activities,” said Kevin Polky, KP Counseling.

How to support the Indoor Equine Center Project at Lockwood Park

Anyone interested in donating to the Indoor Equine Center can contact Lori Berkes-Nelson, Rockford Park District Foundation Director at 815-987-1645 or donate online at www.rpdfoundation.org.