Naperville Park District Overview and History
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Overview
Created by referendum in 1966, the Naperville Park District is an independent municipal agency serving the recreation needs of its residents. An Illinois Distinguished Agency since 1994, the District is one of only 1% of park districts across the country to be nationally accredited through the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA). The Naperville Park District’s mission is to provide recreation and park experiences that promote healthy lives, healthy minds and a healthy community.
The District maintains and operates more than 2,400 acres with 136 parks and facilities and provides more than 1,500 recreational, arts and environmental programs and special events annually. Included within the District’s operations are two championship golf courses, a multitude of playgrounds, trails, athletic courts and sports fields, Fort Hill Activity Center, Knoch Knolls Nature Center, two inline skating and skateboarding facilities, the Millennium Carillon, the Paddleboat Quarry, historic Centennial Beach, and the beautiful Riverwalk.
Highlights from the History of the Naperville Park District (Click on images to enlarge)
1966 – On December 17 a referendum passed to create the Naperville Park District. The population of Naperville was approximately 18,000; the first Board of Park Commissioners included the following members, as pictured in the photo:

The District’s first Master Plan was adopted, with the main objectives of acquiring open space and facilities.
The District purchased the Fraley Farm as the future site of Springbrook Golf Course with a matching grant from Department of Housing and Urban Development.
The Park District began leasing and operating the Martin-Mitchell Museum and the Century Memorial Chapel.

The first garden plots (55 plots) were provided at the Fraley Outdoor Recreation Area at the future site of Springbrook Golf Course.
The District added administrative offices and maintenance garages to the Barn.
The Naperville Park District won the National Gold Medal, awarded by the National Recreation and Park Association.
New park land acquired with assistance from a $373,239 Land and Water Conservation Fund grant included East Greens, Gartner Park, Winding Creek Park, Nike Sports Complex, and additional land at Pioneer Park.


Centennial Beach renovations included an improved circulation system and entrance/parking lot.
Naperville was ranked #1 as a “kid-friendly city” by Zero Population Growth, an independent Washington D.C. based organization.




At this time, the Park District managed a total of 880 acres of park land and 68 parks, with a staff of 33 full-time employees and 400 part-time/seasonal employees.

The Naperville Park District began leasing the Alfred Rubin Riverwalk Community Center for senior activities and other community events and programs. The building was the former site of the Naperville Electrical Department.



Phase I of the Naperville Millennium Carillon in Moser Tower was built as part of Naperville’s Millennium celebration.

The Naperville Park District Youth Ambassadors began as an advisory group of high school students who plan fun, positive activities for teens through the Park District.


Theatre at the Knolls opened at Knoch Knolls Park, offering a Ravinia-like experience under the trees and featuring Kimi Hayes concerts and Shakespeare’s plays performed by the Midsummer Theatre Troupe.
Santa House opened on the Riverwalk.

The District also was selected as a Finalist for the National Gold Medal Award.




Centennial Beach re-opened after renovations to the Bathhouse, front entry and parking area, and the addition of Centennial Grill and an ADA lift.
Seager Park Interpretive Center opened, along with park improvements, including a loop trail, basketball courts, a fire ring, and a permeable paver parking lot. The project was partially funded by grants from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and DuPage County Water Quality Grant Program.
The Naperville Park District became one of only two Illinois Park Districts to achieve national accreditation through the National Recreation and Park Association.
The 95th Street Center opened as the District’s first south Naperville location for indoor programs, featuring a six-station culinary teaching kitchen, a wood floor studio, a registration desk, and multi-purpose rooms.
A herd of 43 goats cleared 10 acres of invasive weeds from Knoch Knolls Park to make way for the expansion of the disc golf course.
Meadow Glens Park reopened with new amenities partially funded by a $400,000 OSLAD grant, including a loop trail with fitness stations, a nature playground, basketball courts, a picnic shelter and a winter skating area.
The Park District acquired 5.2 acres of land at Quincy Ave. and Fort Hill Drive to be the site of a future activity center.


Knoch Knolls Disc Golf Course re-opened after an expansion from 9 to 18 holes.
Naperville Park Police began promoting “Share the Trail” as a bicycle and pedestrian safety campaign.
A groundbreaking ceremony was held on April 9 for the Fort Hill Activity Center.
Park District staff assembled an amazing replica of the Vietnam Memorial Wall, donated by a local business, Blooming Color, as part of the 2015 Healing Field of Honor on Rotary Hill.
Hundreds of people gathered for a farewell event on June 4 to remember the Barn, which originally was built by volunteers as a youth center. The Barn was taken down along with the adjacent maintenance shed following Ribfest. The recreation activities held at the Barn were relocated to the new Fort Hill Activity Center and the Alfred Rubin Riverwalk Community Center.
Construction began on a new park maintenance facility at Knoch Park.
Fort Hill Activity Center welcomed hundreds of visitors to its grand opening celebration on August 27 and is now open for use 7 days a week. NCTV presented a video history of the Naperville Park District, as part of the grand opening festivities.

The District renewed its national accreditation through CAPRA.
2017–The new Knoch Park Central Maintenance Facility opened with a public grand opening celebration on June 17.
Knoch Knolls Nature Center hosted the first annual Monarch Festival on Sept. 17, with more than 700 participants attending.
2018 – A site master plan was approved for Wolf's Crossing Community Park - the District's largest remaining undeveloped park.
The District installed its first four dedicated pickleball courts at Nike Sports Complex.

The District launched ParkTalk podcast as a new way to connect with the community.
2019 – Construction began on three large projects: Wolf’s Crossing Community Park, the 95th Street Community Plaza and renovations at Knoch Park. A new wood floor studio was added to Fort Hill Activity Center to help accommodate the growing interest in group exercise classes.
2020 – In the midst of a pandemic, the Park District was able to complete three major capital projects. The 95th Street Community Plaza opened in July, with the District's first splashpad, a storybook themed playground, the Wagner Family Pavilion, restrooms, walkways and seating areas.
The Knoch Park improvements were completed in September, and included a renovated varsity girls' softball field in collaboration with Naperville Community Unit School District 203, a synthetic turf field and pickleball courts.
Wolf's Crossing Community Park opened most amenities to the public in October, including the District's first challenge course, a playground, sports courts, a loop trail and more.