Archive for November, 2009

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