Meet Chris Scherer: New Urbana Parks Foundation Trustee

Meet Chris Scherer: New Urbana Parks Foundation Trustee

An interest in nature from an early age Chris Scherer grew up on a farm in southeastern Illinois, near Olney. He was extremely active in 4-H and FFA and particularly enjoyed subjects such as entomology, forestry, soil conservation, wildlife management, and bird study....
Thankful for Urbana Parks

Thankful for Urbana Parks

GivingTuesday was created in 2012 as a simple idea: a day that encourages people to do good. Over the past 11 years, this idea has grown into a year-round global movement that inspires hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity. This...
Getting to Know Trustee Judy Miller

Getting to Know Trustee Judy Miller

Judy Miller recently join the Urbana Parks Foundation after working many years as the Environmental Program Manager for the Urbana Park District. The following was posted in the Environmental Education Association of Illinois’ Newsletter this past summer: Judy Miller...
Getting to Know UPF Trustee Ellen Kirsanoff

Getting to Know UPF Trustee Ellen Kirsanoff

My name is Ellen Kirsanoff, and I am a new Trustee with the Urbana Parks Foundation.  After serving as the Urbana Park District’s Development Manager for 25+ years, I retired in January of 2021, and joined the Foundation board in June.  The time I spent with the...
Five Ways to Support Urbana Parks All Year Round

Five Ways to Support Urbana Parks All Year Round

It is easy to take something for granted that has always been there, such as a local park. For as long as I’ve been alive, the trees, natural areas, walking paths, sports facilities, and so much more have always been there. It has always been “Nature when...
The Wellness Wheel

The Wellness Wheel

What comes to mind when you think of wellness? We often think of a mind-body connection: exercise, rest, meditation, and types of self-care that help reduce stress and promote a feeling of peace and harmony. There are even more paths to achieve a sense of well-being...