Park District looks to honor former director
By David Sharos For The Sun February 14, 2013 8:19PM
Updated: March 18, 2013 6:44AM
Members of the Naperville Park District Board are hoping to honor someone who was once one of their own.
Thursday night, commissioners agreed in concept to approve the naming of the driving range at Naperbrook Golf Course after former Park District director Glen Ekey, who current executive director Ray McGury said “was very responsible for the way the Park District is today.”
Ekey was an influential Naperville Park District director serving from 1981 to 1996 during a period of rapid growth in the community. The 1981 population of approximately 45,000 grew to 118,000 in 1996 with two golf courses and 123 parks encompassing 2,300 acres.
“Glen was an avid golfer,” said Park District Director of Golf Ed Provow. “It makes sense to the Park Board and to staff to name a golf-related amenity in honor of him.”
McGury also said the honor is fitting.
“Glen was the finest executive director we’ve had here and at a time when the land was being gobbled up by developers, he and the board back then had the foresight to make land purchases, and many of us are now reaping the benefits,” McGury said. “If it wasn’t for him, there wouldn’t be any Naperbrook Golf Course.”
In accordance with the board’s policy on naming rights, there will be a 60-day consideration period for the public to voice any concerns regarding the naming of the range. The same policy was used a few months ago after the board elected to rename Nike Park as Apache Park.
McGury said final approval of renaming the driving range would probably take place in April and that there would be a public ceremony in May if it was approved.
In other developments, commissioners also approved a donation of $5,000 from the Naperville Noon Lions Club that will be used to install a new drinking fountain this summer at Knock Park.
McGury said that improvements are scheduled to be made at the park this summer following Ribfest and that another $5,000 will be given once the new fountain is installed.
“These people are big in the community and this shows again the cooperation and partnership we have with so many groups here in Naperville,” McGury said. “We appreciate their support of us.”
The fountain will have a separate watering feature for dogs as well as a traditional fountain for park users.
