Executive Director Update - Summer 2023

Wednesday, April 26, 2023

Dear Friends of the Naperville Park District:

The summer season brings many opportunities to enjoy the outdoors and take time for recreation in your everyday life, and the Naperville Park District's Summer 2023 Program Guide can help you plan accordingly. This local, seasonal resource guide can help coordinate family outings, weekend dates, summer camps, and seasonal athletics, from golf leagues to swim lessons at Centennial Beach and much more.

While we began to see a steady, growing interest from the community showing a desire to get back to recreation programs and opportunities throughout 2022, this year we have seen an incredible surge in registration and participation across most of the program areas that we offer. People overwhelmingly have demonstrated an eagerness to return to in-person classes, join sports teams, and become members at Fort Hill Fitness. Just as the Park District attracted many residents to outdoor amenities and activities over the past few years, the District continues to provide the experiences that individuals and families want as they renew their interest in group activities and being an active part of the community.

One significant area that the District currently is challenged with is having enough of the right kinds of indoor programmable space. While we are fortunate to have strong partnerships with our two local school districts that help expand the available space needed to conduct our athletic programs, we are still limited in this regard. To begin to address this issue, we first must conduct a facility assessment, which is being initiated this year. The assessment will involve reviewing our current facility space and projecting the opportunity for expansion of programs combined with recent community survey data and recreation trends. This information will assist board and staff in establishing a framework for a long-term facility plan that reflects our residents' current and emerging recreation priorities and needs. It is always our goal to serve as many residents as possible through our programs.

July is National Park and Recreation Month, which is at the height of summer for us in Illinois. Undoubtedly, this also makes it a great time to appreciate the importance of parks and recreation in our community and nationwide. In the coming months, watch our website and social media for more information about Park and Recreation Month and ways to participate and celebrate!

As summer approaches, we look forward to a full calendar of free summer outdoor events and several park and facility openings for the community. In mid-June, Springbrook Golf Course will reopen following extensive course renovations that began last August and included a complete rebuilding of all tees and bunkers, reconstruction of two ponds and two bridges, addition of new collection areas and mounding at green surrounds, and additional drainage improvements. Golfers will be able to enjoy these new features and improved playability of the course very soon. We also anticipate the opening of the Rothermel Family Pickleball Courts at Frontier Sports Complex in late spring/early summer. Six new courts will provide another place to play this increasingly popular game. Additionally, several playgrounds are being renovated this year, providing accessible play features and places to gather in neighborhoods. Please visit napervilleparks.org for updates and details regarding the park openings this summer.

Wishing you a happy, active and memorable summer season!

Brad Wilson

Executive Director

Naperville Park District