The Elmhurst Parks Foundation is hosting its inaugural Duck Derby on Sunday, Aug. 10, at the Norman P. Smalley Pool, 665 S. York St., Elmhurst. The event is raising funds to support the foundation’s Recreation Assistance Fund, which provides financial assistance to Elmhurst families in need to be able to participate in Elmhurst Park District programs.
The Elmhurst Parks Foundation is holding its first-ever Duck Derby at 3 p.m., on Sunday, Aug. 10, the proceeds of which will benefit the foundation’s Recreation Assistance Fund.
Foundation trustee Shawna Roubitchek explained that the foundation is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization that operates several funds: The Wilder Mansion Preservation Fund, the Recreation Assistance Fund and a fund for special projects “that are not funded by the park district tax dollars.”
Some of the previous projects have included the Park for Everyone, the gazebo on Spring Road and the Thor Guard Lightning Protection System.
According to Roubitchek, “The Thor Guard is a lightning prediction warning system that provides automatic notification of hazardous weather conditions.”
She noted it is being used at Plunkett Park, Wilder Park, Butterfield Park, Eldridge Park, Berens Park and Sugar Creek Golf Course.
Roubitchek also said that last year in early December the foundation held its inaugural VIP Santa event at the Wilder Mansion, and in February 2025 a wine event called Pairing for the Parks, also at the Wilder Mansion, so the Duck Derby is now the foundation’s latest new fundraiser.
Meghan Scarsella, Elmhurst Park District board commissioner and liaison to the foundation, explained that the foundation, formed in 1985, was originally known as People for Elmhurst Parks, and at one time, “did a tremendous amount of fundraising” for specific projects.
That organization partnered with Kiwanis, pre-COVID, she continued, for an annual golf outing. It also held a wine-pairing event at the park district’s Safety Town, as well as a Play Like A Kid event for adults.
However, she continued, as the organization began to taper off it was later “rebranded” as the Elmhurst Parks Foundation.
Roubitchek related that it was within the last six months or so that the idea came up for a Duck Derby.
She said a park district board member heard of a similar fundraiser in another municipality, and “That got the wheels turning.”
The foundation then asked, “How can we make this our own?” and thankfully, she commented, “We have a [foundation] board who has a lot of creative ideas.”
Scarsella stated that the Recreation Assistance Fund is important because the park district “gets more requests than they are able to grant,” adding that the assistance helps “grant access to families [in need] to participate in park district programs.”
Key highlights of the Duck Derby include:
• A $5 “Buck Duck Donation” enters one duck in the race.
• Online duck “adoptions” close on Aug. 9 at 11:59 p.m., but ducks can still be adopted in person on Aug. 10 up to 10 minutes before the race begins.
• Participants will receive a ticket number by email, which will match the number on the bottom of the duck.
• Spectators are welcome, but are instructed to stay in roped-off areas.
• Winners will be announced after the race, but winners need not be present to win.
• Race results will be posted on the foundation’s website and social media.
• Prizes will be awarded to the first-, second- and third-place winners.
“The [Elmhurst] park district is a second beneficiary, if you will,” Roubitchek said, meaning that while the Wilder Mansion is a key beneficiary of the foundation’s fundraising efforts, “The community, first and foremost benefits” from the fundraisers, allowing families in need to participate in park district events and programs.
“Many of us take for granted the opportunity to play,” she continued, so the purpose of the Recreation Assistance Fund is “to make [programs] available to more people.”
The Duck Derby, she said with a chuckle, is “a whimsical, fun way to give back.”
Scarsella commented that “It’s so incredible” that the foundation continues to support the park district, adding, “We are so grateful for the volunteers that serve on the foundation board.”
She also observed that the foundation has “a great deal of community support.”
Scarsella agreed with Roubitchek that the Duck Derby will be a hit, calling it “a really fun and engaging way to bring our community together.”
She also encouraged individuals who are interested in the foundation to attend a “meet and greet” to be held on Sept. 18 at 5:30 p.m., location to be determined.
For more information on signing up for the Duck Derby and about the Elmhurst Parks Foundation, 371 W. First St., Elmhurst, visit www.elmhurstparksfoundation.org, or mail info@elmhurstparksfoundation.org.
For more information on the Elmhurst Park District, visit www.epd.org; to send an email visit www.epd.org/contact; or call (630) 993-8900. The administrative office is located at 375 W. 1st St., Elmhurst.