Round Lake Area Park District, Richardson Adventure Farm win award

The Illinois Association of Park Districts has recognized the Round Lake Area Park District and Richardson Adventure Farm with the Best Friend of Illinois Parks 2011 Award at this year's Best of the Best Awards Gala.

The award is for demonstrating exemplary support of a local park district by maintaining significant efforts to provide awareness and support of the value of park districts, officials said.

From donating pumpkins to the Special Recreation Halloween Barn Bash, donating Christmas trees to the Holiday Fest and culminating this year with a 1.9-mile maze featuring the Round Lake Area Park District logo, Richardson Adventure Farm was a Best Friend of the Round Lake Area Park District and a huge supporter of Illinois Parks and Recreation, officials said.

The park district logo maze is one of five corn mazes at the farm, 9407 Richardson Road, Spring Grove. The maze opened in August and will run through October.

Park district officials announced the logo maze project to the community during the Fourth of July fireworks display at the Round Lake Culture and Civic Center.

Park district officials have touted the partnership with Richardson, saying it has worked well because their goals are similar.