The mission of Chicago Park District Veterans Programs is to provide access and engage veterans and active military personnel in sports, recreation, and leisure. 

We strive to: 

  • Expose veterans to recreation, leisure and enrichment programs  
  • Keep veterans and active military actively engaged in recreation and leisure activities    
  • Provide opportunities for adaptive sports skill development  
  • Provide inclusive programming for veterans of all abilities  
  • Provide annual family based events  
  • Partner with local agencies to provide resources and program enhancement   


All Chicago Park District Veterans Programs are FREE of charge with proof of service (DD214, signifier on driver's license, etc.). 

 

Session Programs & Events

The Chicago Park District aims to provide a variety of recreation and leisure programs and events for veterans of all ability levels.  Click on the button below to see this session’s current offerings.  

VIEW CURRENT PROGRAMS




Major Annual Events

Windy City Winter Sports Clinic - February

Started in 2022, the Windy City Winter Sports Clinic is a one-day urban adaptive sports clinic for veterans and active duty personnel with physical, visual, or invisible disabilities. This is an instructional clinic, no previous experience is required to participate. Attendees have the opportunity to try ice skating, biathlon, curling, snowshoeing, mountain biking, floor hockey and more. Partner organizations include the Chicago Blackhawks, Chicago Warriors, Central Cross Country Skiing, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, and AllenForce. This event takes place in February at McKinely Park. 

 

Valor Games Midwest - August

Valor Games Midwest is a three-day Paralympic Sport competition for veterans and service members with physical, visual, or invisible disabilities. This is a grassroots/introductory competition and no previous experience is required to participate. Sports offered at this year’s Valor Games Midwest include: indoor rowing, shot put, discus, archery, cycling, biathlon, powerlifting, and table tennis. 

Athletes that live in the Midwest Region of the United States are encouraged to apply. These states include Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. Applications are accepted from those who have served or are currently serving in the US Armed Forces. The time frame in which you served, the location, or the cause of your injury will not preclude your application from being considered. Qualifying disabilities for Valor Games Midwest include traumatic brain injury, amputation, stroke, visual impairment, PTSD, multiple sclerosis (MS), burns, hearing loss, spinal cord injury, shrapnel injury, and other orthopedic impairments.  

2024 Valor Games will take place August 13-15.
 

 

Military Discount

Information about the Chicago Park District military discount can be found here:;  www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/programs-memberships/program-policies-procedures

 


Contact Information  

For more information please send your requests to.:  veterans@chicagoparkdistrict.com 

 


City & County Veterans Websites