Renaming Winding Creek Park
October 19th, 2009 | 
Author: 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
Posted in Rename Winding Creek Park
I think it’s a fabulous idea, and can’t imagine why anyone would be apposed.
Renata,
I knew Jack when he was a student at Lincoln Junior High and Naperville Central. Jack was an outstanding young man. I think that renaming Winding Creek Park in Jack’s honor is fitting and appropriate. What can we do to further promote this idea?
Ray Jamiolkowski
Renata- I live in Maplebrook South and think this is a wonderful idea. What can I do to spread the word and help to make this happen?
Renata,
This is an excellent idea, please let me know if I can be of any help. I was friends with Jack and know many Naperville residents that would support your proposal.
What a great idea. I see renaming the park after Jack as another way for him to continue serving as a role model. For every adult and child that asks about Sgt. Jack Taft Hennessy, there is an inspirational story to tell. Please let me know if there is anyway I can help make this happen.
This is a fantastic idea! I am going to put this website out on Facebook to encourage all of people who knew and loved Jack to respond. Hopefully we can get some momentum. Come on Naperville Park District-you know this is the right thing to do.
Wonderful idea. Jack was a frequent visitor to my house during High School. I always enjoyed his smile. He is sorely missed by many. I don’t live in Winding Creek but I would be happy to help in anyway to get this passed through the Park District.
Wonderful idea
I think this is a great idea as well. I was friends with Jack and would like to know if there is anything I can do remotely to help make this happen.
I think renaming Winding Creek park in honor of Jack is a wonderful idea! Remembering the energetic kid I coached and then worked with on the Maplebrook II pool staff, renaming the park seems a fitting memorial. I would be honored to bring my own 2 children to Jack Hennessy Memorial Park!
I agree. This is a great idea. It affirms the values that most people treasure. Young people of Naperville, especially, should make this happen.
Jack has been so missed by his family and friends. I will always remember the luminaries and how much everyone loved him and wanted to lite the way for his return. Having this particular park named after Jack right by the home he grew up in would be so meaningful to his family and friends. Jack was so loved and has been so missed. This would be a lasting tribute to him and his family. Jeannie Murphy-Mittal
What a touching idea, Renata. Do you know if this name change goes through city council or through the park district?
Renata This is a wonderful idea. Jack’s parents and David Caruso’s parents joined with others in the community to form a group dedicated to honor Jack, David, and the other Naperville related servicemen who have lost their lives. We formed the Freedom Heroes of Naperville committee dedicated to honor those Napervillians who have lost their lives as well as all the other veterans who have helped make Naperville the great city it has become.
We are pleased that you have included http://www.freedomheroesofnaperville.org as a link on your website. We invite all veterans to join our website which honors those who have been killed in action as well as all other service veterans.
Doug Dallmer
Renata
In addition to my prior posting the Freedom Heroes of Naperville have been working with the City, the Riverwalk Commision, the VFW and the American Legion to honor the fallen Napervillians. The memorial on the Riverwalk will soon be expanded to include Jack Hennessy’s name and the others that have ties to Naperville. It is possible that this may be completed by Veteran’s Day 2009 (Wednesday 11/11/2009).
We invite all Napervillians to participate in the Exchange Club of Naperville, and the Naperville Park District’s Healing fields of Honor November 7th to 15th. See: http://colonialflagfoundation.org/staticpages/index.php/naperville.
Doug Dallmer
All the young people who will play in this park and use the athletic fields should remember the name Jack Hennessy and the sacrifice he made for all of us! Good luck to you in renaming the park and thank you.
As is often the case, a simple idea is also a beautiful idea. Our neighborhood park dedicated in memory of a neighbor. This should be a simple positive decision for the Park District Board to make. For the Park District Board to recognize the service and sacrifice of so many by naming this park for our own one of the many is just a simple and significant kindness.
Wonderful tribute to a fine young man and his family. What can we do to help this happen? Debbie Law
Renata,
This is a fantastic idea and a fitting honor for Jack, so he could be recognized by the community that misses him. If there is anything we can do to help, please post the contact information here so we can explain our support to whatever council needs to approve the change. Thanks for your work on this.
A wonderful tribute to a brave young man who made the ultimate sacrifice to ensure that children will have places like this park to enjoy in peace for generations to come.
Renaming the park in Jack’s honor is a wonderful idea. It would be such a touching memorial to his family, those who grew up with Jack in Maplebrook & Winding Creek, and the Naperville community. I have posted this link on Facebook as well & will continue passing the word along. Please let me know what else I can do.