My name is Renata Gozdziak, I live directly across the street from Winding Creek Park.

I would like to respectfully request the Naperville Park Board to consider changing the name of Winding Creek Park to

Jack Hennessy Memorial Park.

I and also many other residents in Winding Creek, Maplebrook South and Maplebrook ll are in favor of an name change for Winding Creek Park.

Winding Creek Park is currently undergoing a major transformation, construction has been in progress since early 2009. When construction is completed we will have a new park complete with new ball fields, soccer fields, new playground and a path thru the park, it is the perfect time to change the name and complete the transformation to a park that will be an anchor of our neighborhood.

Our neighborhood park is where adults meet their neighbors and walk their pets.

Our neighborhood park is where families come together to enjoy an ice cream social or family fun day or other event put together by our Home Owners Associations.

Our neighborhood park is where a unique yearly event occurs — men come to play football every Thanksgiving Day. Rain or shine, during the past 10 years I have seen these guys go from driving the small economy cars that scream “college student” to men that show up in BMWs and new pick up trucks. I feel like I have watched them grow up and make that change from boys to men…..

A neighborhood park is truly a place where children and adults learn important lessons in life.

They learn to have fun and make friends, they learn to be part of a team, they learn to try hard and be the best that they can be.

They also learn about winning and losing.

I would like to tell you about a very special person from our neighborhood, Jack Hennessy.

Jack grew up 1 block from our neighborhood park.

Jack learned how to have fun and make friends, that is obvious from all the wonderful things that people remember about him.

Jack also learned how to be part of a team, as he joined the US Army and became part of a very special team on a very important mission.

Jack also learned how to try hard and be the best that he can be by distinguishing himself from his peers and quickly moving up thru the ranks.

Jack Hennessy also learned about winning and losing, as he paid the ultimate price and lost his life.

I understand that initially, the park board may not feel it necessary to rename a neighborhood park.

I understand the feeling may be that a precedent may be set by granting this request.

I would like the park district board to remember that because this is a neighborhood park it is highly possible that the average Naperville resident would not ever drive by or pay a visit our neighborhood park for any reason unless they lived here in one of neighboring subdivisions or had a child’s game scheduled at one of the fields.

I feel that our neighborhood park should be a reflection of our neighborhood.

Jack Hennessy’s legacy is one of a hero.
Jack Hennessy was courageous and followed his heart and did what he felt was right as a member of our neighborhood, a member of our community and as a citizen of our country.

It would be impossible to set a precedent by renaming our neighborhood park after Jack Hennessy.

The reason that I can confidently say that is because not every neighborhood has had a Hero like Jack Hennessy.

I would like to also submit these signatures from individuals and myself that are also requesting the Naperville Park Board to consider this request.

We gathered 835 signatures on-line from Naperville Residents and also those who knew Jack that have moved on and also those that are in the military that have served with Jack.
We also have an additional 45 signatures from neighbors that have recently visited the Mail Works Store on Washington St.
As of tonight there are 1,358 fans of Remember-Jack Hennessy on Facebook.

Jack Hennessy has not been forgotten.

Can I ask how the re-naming process works and what the next step would be??

Respectfully submitted,

Renata Gozdziak

We have an on-line petition that has 553 signatures as of this morning.
1 more way to bring attention to our initiative is to show our support within our neighborhood.

Please fly your red-white and blue ribbons on your trees, on your mailbox or with the flag on your flagpole.

When your neighbors ask about the ribbons —
let them know about renaming Winding Creek Park to Jack Hennessy Memorial Park.
Ask them to support this cause too !!

Thank you,

Renata Gozdziak

What we have accomplished::
Since the Naperville Sun ran the article honoring Jack and renaming Winding Creek Park the following has occurred::

We have a website up and running and the website had 150 hits from 5PM thru midnight yesterday — yes in just 7 hours.

We have a Facebook Page ” Remember-Jack-Hennessy” with 900+ fans since last Thursday—yes in 6 days.

We have an on-line petition that has 256 signatures that we have received in the last 24 hours.

A great start and a great thank you to all that have told their friends, neighbors and family !! We still have to keep gathering friends and names and signatures and let Naperville Park District know that this is important to us as friends and neighbors of Jack Hennessy.

We are still trying to get the word out.
You may be seeing this flyer at area businesses

If you know of any business or location that we could place signs please let me know !! Thank you everyone — we are making great progress !!!!

Thank you,
Renata Gozdziak

We have our on-line petition up & running !
Please sign our on-line petition so we are able to present petition results to the Naperville Park Board. There are no guarantees that they will approve the name change, so we need to let them know that our neighborhood has not forgotten Jack Hennessy, that our neighborhood is involved and we want this change to honor Jack !!!

Thank you,
Renata Gozdziak

I have been impressed and overwhelmed by the great comments, phone messages and personal e-mails that I have received supporting the idea to rename Winding Creek Park.

The question I have heard over and over again is::
What can I do to help?

There are 3 things that would help tremendously

1.) Contact your Naperville Park Board to voice your support. Their e-mail addresses are down below.

2.) Pass the word to  your friends and neighbors who are Naperville residents to help gather support for this idea.

3.) We will be requesting that all households in the Winding Creek – Maplebrook South – Maplebrook ll subdivisions fly red-white and blue ribbons in front of their homes to show their support for this idea. This will be after November 1st, so it does not interfere with Halloween decorations.

Naperville Park Board Members are ::

Suzanne Hart ,
Gerry Heide,
Ron Ory,
Mike Reilly,
Andrew Shaffner,
Marie Todd and
Kirstin Young

Emails for Park Board Members::
shart@napervilleparks.org,  gheide@napervilleparks.org, rory@napervilleparks.org, mreilly@napervilleparks.org, ashaffner@napervilleparks.org, mtodd@napervilleparks.org, kyoung@napervilleparks.org

Renata Gozdziak

630-927-6669

bluzin1@aol.com

At the July 2nd Municipal Band concert.  Joe Caruso, Mitch and me.

Thanks for the info Doug, it is truly appreciated !!!

Healing Field of Honor / Tentative Schedule now through Nov. 15
Volunteers Needed to Assemble Flags on Poles / 2-hour shifts / 25 per shift
8-10AM and 10AM to noon, Saturdays, Oct. 17 and Oct. 31
Volunteers Needed to Set Flags on Rotary Hill / 35 per shift
Noon-2PM and 2-4PM, Friday, Nov. 6
8-10AM and 10AM-noon, Saturday, Nov. 7
Volunteers Needed to Take Down Field of Flags / 35 or more per shift
9-11AM and 11AM-2PM – Sunday, Nov. 15
To volunteer, contact Brad Wilson at (630) 848-3532 or via email at bwilson@napervilleparks.org or
Kathleen Malecki at (630) 281-1816 or via email at kmalecki@lilfriends.com.
Parking at Rotary Hill / Nov. 6 to Nov. 14
The Rotary Hill Parking Lot and driveway off Aurora Avenue will be marked with signs to designate a
limited number of 30-minute and 60-minute parking spaces as well as parking exclusively for buses and
ADA accessibility along the drive toward the Moser Tower.

Parking at Rotary Hill / Veterans’ Day, Nov. 11 to Nov. 14
Beginning Veterans’ Day, extended hourly parking and student parking will be restricted at the top of
Rotary Hill. During the exhibit from Nov. 11-14, the Rotary Hill Parking Lot and Drive off Aurora Avenue
will be marked with signs to designate only 30-minute and 60-minute limited parking. Parking places
along the drive toward the Moser Tower will be designated and exclusively for buses and ADA
accessibility.
Additional Parking / Centennial Beach Parking Lot is located at 500 W. Jackson, across the Riverwalk
foot bridge.
Weekend Parking / Space will be available at Naperville Central High School, located across from Rotary
Hill at 440 W. Aurora Ave. and at the Naperville Municipal Center, 400 S. Eagle Street at Aurora Ave
2009 American Flags on Exhibit at Rotary Hill
Sunday, Nov. 8:
• Patriotic Carillon Music / 12PM, 4PM, 7PM
• Tag A Flag / 12:30PM to 3 PM ($30 for limited availability that day)
• Info Table set up at the top of Rotary Hill / by the Riverwalk Eatery
• Find Patriot Barrels to Collect Cash Donations through Nov. 14
• Refreshments / Riverwalk Eatery / (Hours TBD)
• Tours of Moser Tower (Times TBD)
Monday, Nov. 9:
• Patriotic Carillon Music / 12PM, 4PM, 7PM
• Group Tours available / Contact Jackshiffler@aol.com
• Tours of Moser Tower (Times TBD)

Tuesday, Nov. 10:
• Patriotic Carillon Music / 12PM, 4PM, 7PM
• Group Tours available / Contact Jackshiffler@aol.com
• Tours of Moser Tower (Times TBD)
• Happy 234th Birthday, U.S. Marines!
Wednesday, Nov. 11
• 11AM, Veterans Day Observance :30 Ceremony
• Municipal Band Medley
• Carillon Concert
• Refreshments / Riverwalk Eatery / (Hours TBD)
• Patriotic Carillon Music / 12PM, 4PM, 7PM
• Tours of Moser Tower (Times TBD)
Thursday, Nov. 12:
• Rotary Club of Naperville Luncheon Meeting at Riverwalk Eatery
• Patriotic Carillon Music / 12PM, 4PM, 7PM
• Tours of Moser Tower (Times TBD)
Friday, Nov. 13:
• Patriotic Carillon Music / 12PM, 4PM, 7PM
• Tours of Moser Tower (Times TBD)
Saturday, Nov. 14
• 11AM / Salute to All Veterans / Patriot Motorcycles atop Rotary Hill
• Patriotic Carillon Music / 12PM, 4PM, 7PM
• Tours of Moser Tower (Times TBD)
• 3PM / Closing Ceremonies
• 3-4:30PM / Flag Pick-up
Sunday, Nov. 15
Flag pickup will also be available on Sunday from 9AM to Noon.
All individual flag sales and supporters going forward will help fund OSOTIL to benefit a
Fisher House at the Hines VA Hospital.

I was contacted by Dave Wentz of Naperville, he is the 2009 Chairman of  Naperville’s Healing Field of Honor.
This is a fundraiser with a stated mission of helping local veteran’s causes.

BTW — Volunteers are still needed, contact Dave for more information.

The Healing Field will be at Rotary Hill from November 6-14th — The Exchange Club of Naperville will fly 2009 flags to honor the men and women of the military.
Individuals can help support this cause by purchasing a flag for $30, an additional $5.00 and the flag will be tagged with a service member or loved one who has served. If you would prefer, you can have a flag shipped for $40.
All monetary donations are accepted thru October 30th,2009.
To participate, please visit    http://healingfield.org/naperville/
This is what 1500 flags looks like::

There will also be a “Tag a Flag” ceremony on Nov 8th from 12:30PM to 3PM

Veteran’s Day Observance at 11AM on November 11th, music will be played thruout the day at the Millennium Carillion.

The 11th hour is the hour of remembrance.

From Dave Wentz::

On behalf of the Naperville Healing Field of Honor Committee, I would like to thank the dedicated members of the Exchange Club, all 4 Rotary Clubs, Operation Support our Troops Illinois, the Judd Kendall VFW Post 3873, American Legion Post 43 and the Naperville Park District who ventured out to the Naperville Park District’s parking garage/warehouse this  Saturday morning to help assemble flags for the Healing Field. We are proud to report that in four hours we were able to assemble roughly 1,500 American flags! For those of you who missed it, our next flag assembly day will take place on Saturday morning, October 31, 2009 at 8:00 a.m. where we will finish off the remaining 500 flags.

As the days draw closer to the week of Veteran’s Day you will continue to see more and more signs around town of our Healing Field of Honor.  You can still purchase a full-sized flag along with an 8 foot tall flag pole for only $30.  For an added $5 you can have your flag tagged in the name of a loved one who has served or is currently serving in the Armed Forces. The proceeds from the event will be used to aid the ongoing operations of a Fisher House and other local veteran’s causes.

From November 7 through November 14, the view of Rotary Hill, fully adorned in a field of 2009 American flags will take your breath away. If you would like to volunteer or find out how you can purchase a flag online, please feel free to visit our website at www.healingfield.org/naperville.

Thank you to everyone who has helped with this truly great American project. Thanks also to the American men and women in the military who continue to fight for our freedoms both at home and abroad every day.

God Bless America

Dave Wentz

2009 Naperville Healing Field of Honor Chairman

Dwentz@napervillelaw.com

I have been impressed and overwhelmed by the great comments, phone messages and personal e-mails that I have received supporting the idea to rename Winding Creek Park.

A Question that has been asked ::
How does the park get renamed?
There is no written process or guide to follow to rename a park.

I had called several different park personnel before I ended up speaking with Ray McGury who was kind enough to explain.

As of now I have been told that the Naperville Park Board has the power to rename a park. This is a 7 member elected committee. I will be attending the November 12th park board meeting at City Hall to make a formal request to rename Winding Creek Park to honor Jack Hennessy.

Naperville Park Board Members are ::

Suzanne Hart ,
Gerry Heide,
Ron Ory,
Mike Reilly,
Andrew Shaffner,
Marie Todd and
Kirstin Young

Emails for Park Board Members::
shart@napervilleparks.org, gheide@napervilleparks.org, rory@napervilleparks.org, mreilly@napervilleparks.org, ashaffner@napervilleparks.org, mtodd@napervilleparks.org, kyoung@napervilleparks.org

Renata Gozdziak

630-927-6669

bluzin1@aol.com

Winding Creek Park is getting a facelift. This park is bordered by Bailey Rd to the north and Redstart Rd to the south

There has been construction going on there for months now — a bike path, new ball fields, and a new playground are just a few of the improvements that are in process or have been completed.  See plans here.     I believe the time is right to rename our neighborhood park.

Winding Creek park is a small neighborhood park. It is primarily used by persons in the Maplebrook and Winding Creek subdivisions.  There are ball games and soccer games scheduled there, but unless your child is playing a game at that location, you probably would not ever visit our neighborhood park.

Jack Hennessy grew up in our neighborhood. He died in Iraq in 2004.  He was our neighbor and it would be fitting to rename the park in his honor. I am going to request that the Naperville Park Board rename Winding Creek Park to::

Jack Hennessy Memorial Park .

I would love to hear what you think about this idea.

Renata Gozdziak