A petting zoo, helicopter and wrestling match: Chicago Park District hosts first disabilities celebration

While jumping in an Iron Man-themed bouncy house, high school students waved hello to a Chicago Police Department pilot flying a helicopter low above the first-ever Chicago Park District celebration of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The group from Percy Julian High School gathered alongside nearly 4,000 other people with cognitive disabilities at Maggie Daley Park and Butler Field to enjoy a petting zoo, a wrestling match, mini-golf and other activities Wednesday.

Emily Elzen, a Chicago Public Schools speech pathologist and supervisor for the far south side high schoolers, said the pilot’s wave and flashing lights from the helicopter were highlights for her students.

“You see the smiles that you’ve never seen before, and it makes you feel so good and realize that everybody deserves to be happy,” Elzen said.

The All-Star Fest event included participants from the Park District’s Inclusive Community Sports programs, which are funded by Special Children’s Charities. Approximately 1,700 volunteers, teachers, coaches and additional support staff came out to celebrate the end of the school year.

A 7-foot python named Buttercup was a major attraction, with groups of friends lining up to hold the yellow snake. Other animals at the petting zoo included turtles, baby chickens, a chinchilla and an armadillo.

Participant Ania Wisneski, 25, said holding a snake for the first time was the best part of the event.

“I’m having tons of fun,” Wisneski said. “It means a lot, because I’ve been in a special rec world for long as I can remember.”

Special Children’s Charities Executive Director Amy Taylor said the organization wanted to create a space where people with many different disabilities could partake in the fun.

“Traditionally, some of these events would be more athletics focused, and now we’ve opened this up,” Taylor said. “The biggest piece is just joy when walking through the parks seeing how excited and happy everyone is.”

Participants enjoyed arts and crafts, played BINGO, blew bubbles, posed in a photo booth and could take part in physical activities like rock climbing, adaptive bike riding and dancing.

“We just wanted to throw a big party for these guys at the end of the year to celebrate all their successes and celebrate, you know, all the hard work that they put in,” Park District Administrator Eileen Guinane said.

Guinane and Taylor both said they hope the celebration becomes an annual event.

With music blaring and bubbles still floating, students waved goodbye to CPD horses at around 1 p.m. before loading onto about 180 buses.

“We will be here again and again and again if we can,” supervisor Elzen said.