North of the River Recreation Foundation

The North of the River Recreation Foundation was created to preserve the community's vitality and livability by raising private funds to enhance and expand our parks, recreation and social services programs, as well as providing access and opportunity for all.  As the non profit partner to the North of the River Recreation and Park District (NOR), the Foundation raises funds to support NOR programs and our participants in a variety of ways.

Many people don't know that NOR isn't just parks and kids' sports. We touch a variety of lives in a number of ways, each and every day.

NOR operates the largest Meals on Wheels program in Kern County, providing 237 hot and nutritious meals to homebound seniors each weekday.  At any given time there are upwards of 60 hungry seniors awaiting placement on a delivery route.

Addditionally, we operate the CTSA transportation program for seniors and the disabled. An incredibly popular service that is at or near capacity each day. For only $2 per one way ride, people can secure a ride to doctor's appointments, shopping and any number of other errands and appointments. We would love to be able to provide transportation to every person who requests it, but funding and time constraints create limitations.

The Foundation also provides scholarship assistance for sports and activities to the youth in our community who would otherwise be unable to participate, due to a lack of discretionary funds in family finances.  As a portion of our district serves a depressed socio-economic area, it is important to provide the youth of the area positive activities to enhance their lives and keep them involved in their community. 

As a large district with over 60 years of service to the community, we work diligently to not only expand our services but to also reinvigorate aging facilities and create new opportunities for the community to enjoy.  Some of those projects - such as the upcoming North Beardsley Skate Park - not only require grant funding but also private funds to complete a project to its highest potential. The support of the Foundation is paramount to the success of projects like these.

 

The North of the River Recreation & Park District (NOR) was founded on a timeless concept – neighbors helping neighbors. NOR’s roots began when the mothers of the community got together to find a way for their children to have a fun and safe place for recreation – a neighborhood swimming pool. Thanks to the energy and perseverance of those caring mothers, a Special District – now known as North of the River Recreation and Park District or more commonly NOR – was established in 1955. Since that time, NOR has continued the tradition of making the community a better place by providing parks, recreation and a multitude of services to meet the needs of the people living north of the river. In the early 1990s, the North of the River Recreation Foundation was established to support NOR’s activities, and the Foundation remains committed to the unifying goal of those moms – to make sure that our neighborhoods have access to the parks, activities and programs that make our community a better place to live.