CUSR: Champaign-Urbana Special Recreation

Urbana Park District
Champaign Park District

News

Art Mart Celebrates 10th Anniversary at Prospect Location by Giving Back to CU Special Recreation

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Valentine's Day gifts display at Art Mart in Champaign

Art Mart, a local café, bakery, deli, and artisan goods gift shop, is celebrating its 10th anniversary at its current location at 1705 S Prospect Ave, Champaign, on Thursday, February 5. To give back to the community on this occasion, the store will be donating 10% of February 5 sales to CU Special Recreation.

CU Special Recreation is a cooperative agreement with the Champaign and Urbana Park Districts and provides therapeutic recreation and leisure opportunities for children and adults with disabilities. The generous donation from Art Mart will help further CU Special Recreation’s mission to close recreation gaps in the Champaign-Urbana community.  

“We’re so excited to give something back to CU Special Rec! It’s such a great program benefiting some of our community’s most important members,” said Brian McKay, owner of Art Mart. “Our son, Davis, loves his time there with all of the wonderful volunteers and other members!”

“CU Special Recreation is truly grateful for Art Mart’s generosity,” said Christina Mott, CU Special Recreation Program Manager. “We are excited for the community to celebrate their shop while also contributing to the work we do.”

Patrons interested in celebrating Art Mart’s anniversary and supporting CU Special Recreation can visit Art Mart on February 5, and purchase from the shop’s vast selection, including soups, sandwiches, coffees, teas, wines, desserts, kitchenware, toys, and much more.  

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Chelsea Norton
Director of Marketing & Development
Champaign Park District
217-819-3934
Chelsea.norton@champaignparks.org

Brian McKay
Owner
Art Mart
artmartfood@gmail.com

CU Special Recreation Receives Community Commitment Grant for Acting Program

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Champaign-Urbana Special Recreation, an inclusive recreation agency that serves residents of Champaign and Urbana’s Park Districts as well as surrounding communities, has received a Community Commitment Grant from the Community Foundation of East Central Illinois. The grant, amounting to $7,500, was awarded to enhance CU Special Recreation’s adult theater program.

The CU Special Recreation theater program, Constellation Theater Group, was started 8 years ago to provide inclusive acting opportunities to adults with disabilities in the Champaign-Urbana area. The program produces two live performances a year at the CUSR Center. With funds from the Community Foundation grant, the program will have the opportunity to improve live shows by investing in a stage.

“Constellation Theater Group has been an important addition to our programming. The Group allows us to deliver enriching cultural art experiences to our adult participants in a meaningful way,” said Christina Mott, CU Special Recreation Program Manager. “The grant funding will further our goal of improving this beloved program for our actors.”

Constellation Theater Group’s next performance will take place in April. Information about all CU Special Recreation activities can be found at: https://cuspecialrecreation.com/

About CU Special Recreation

CU Special Recreation provides year-round therapeutic recreation and leisure opportunities for children and adults with disabilities. Services include inclusive and cooperative programs, special events, afterschool programs, overnight trips, Special Olympics, summer day camps, and more. Participants explore new areas of interest, make new acquaintances, and learn lifetime leisure skills.

About the Community Foundation of East Central Illinois

The Community Foundation of East Central Illinois is a publicly-supported 501(c)(3) tax-exempt philanthropic organization created in 1972 to encourage and receive contributions establishing endowments for the long-term benefit of east central Illinois. It does not conduct programs of its own, nor is it a fund-raising organization. It supports and serves its donors by managing and administering endowed funds that have been donated for philanthropic purposes.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Chelsea Norton
Director of Marketing & Development
Champaign Park District
217-819-3934
Chelsea.norton@champaignparks.org

CU Special Recreation Has a Brand-New Look!

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CU Special Recreation is thrilled to launch its new logo and brand identity to celebrate 40 years of CU Special Rec and to embrace our continued dedication to providing great programming to our community.

Our new logo represents the growth, energy, and inclusivity and defines who we are and where we’re headed. This fresh image reflects our ongoing commitment to creating fun, accessible, and enriching experiences for people of all abilities. We can’t wait to share this new chapter with our community. Same great mission, brand-new look!

CU Special Recreation Is Bringing Back the Cupcake 5K for a 13th Year

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Champaign-Urbana Special Recreation is excited to bring back its annual fundraiser that ends with a sweet treat. The 2025 Cupcake 5K will be held on November 2 at Carle at the Fields.

The Cupcake 5K welcomes runners, walkers, and rollers of all ages to participate in a timed, certified race. Children 10 and under are also invited to race in the 100-meter dash.  

Registration fees will benefit the CU Special Recreation Scholarship Program, which supports individuals in need of financial assistance to access CU Special Recreation’s programs and services. 

“For over a decade, Cupcake racers have helped tremendously in supporting our scholarship fund,” said Christina Mott, CU Special Recreation Program Manager. “The Cupcake 5K has been crucial in increasing access to CU Special Recreation programs.”

Individuals interested in participating may register online at cuspecialrecreation.com or register on-site on November 2 from 8-8:45am. Registration fees are $35, with a youth rate of $20 for ages 1-18. The 100-meter Dash is $10. All registrants will receive an exclusive race T-shirt, as well as a race medal and a cupcake upon completion of the race.  

To register for the Cupcake 5K, visit: https://runsignup.com/Race/IL/Champaign/Cupcake

About the CU Special Recreation Scholarship Program

For individuals with disabilities, medical and therapy expenses often take precedence, leaving little room in the budget for recreational opportunities such as social activities, team sports, or travel. The CUSR Scholarship Program helps bridge this gap by providing financial assistance to Champaign-Urbana in-district residents with disabilities, enabling them to participate in programming at half the standard cost.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Merry Mitchell
Recreation Services Manager
Champaign Park District
217-819-3961
merry.mitchell@champaignparks.org