The Crystal Lake Parks Initiative Foundation is dedicated to extending the scope of Crystal Lake Park District in its efforts to enhance the development of parks, open space, trails, and recreational activities. Our mission is to create safe, environmentally friendly, and highly accessible facilities that encourage social engagement, cultivate the adventurous spirit, promote positive self-worth, and celebrate life.

In the past, the America’s Cardboard Cup Regatta Foundation hosted this event. It began in the summer of 1985 as a special event to raise awareness for a small local sailing club—The Crystal Lake Yacht Club. It drew a crowd of 2,000 spectators, and raised enough money to host the event, as well as give some back to the community. For 35 years, the America’s Cardboard Cup Regatta Foundation continued the event.

After two years of the America’s Cardboard Cup Regatta Foundation struggling to find volunteers and a cancellation due to the pandemic, the Crystal Lake Parks Initiative Foundation has stepped up in hopes of continuing this fun family event. The Parks Initiative Foundation is a 501(c)(3) that assists the park district with projects and scholarships. It’s focus is to improve the quality of life for residents in the park district, especially children. The project that the Foundation is working on is to build a Ball Hockey Rink at Woodscreek Park in memory of AJ Freund. We envision this outdoor ball hockey rink as a place where children can gather, play hockey with a ball and in gym shoes, thus eliminating the expense of ice time and hockey equipment.

The Regatta is not a small undertaking for those who help plan it. It takes a team of very dedicated volunteers meeting regularly for months to work out each and every detail, go door to door seeking sponsors and donations, as well as volunteers to set up and take down the Regatta the day of the event.

If you and/or your family or co-workers can volunteer, please contact us. We would truly like to continue this event for the community and need your support. We hope that you feel the same and will choose to be a part of this NEW AND IMPROVED, spectacular event!

Sincerely,
Michele Hartwig, President
The Board of the Crystal Lake Parks Initiative Foundation

Get your mates together and sign up!