YOU'VE BEEN GLANCED IN NAPERVILLE
CELEBRATING THE GRAND OPENING OF NAPERVILLE JAYCEES PARK
Privately Funded, Eco-friendly Outdoor Workspace Provides Unique Amenity to Community
Earlier this week the City of Naperville and the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce jointly hosted a dedication ceremony and ribbon cutting for the grand opening of Naperville Jaycees Park, located on the north lawn of the Naperville Municipal Center, 400 S. Eagle St. The ceremony took place at 5 p.m. and officially opened this innovative, flexible workspace to the community. The 12,500-sq. ft. park, which is free and open to the public, includes accessible and stepped entrances, permanent seating for 71 guests, 26 electrical outlets and two quick-charging stations. Free public WiFi, appropriately named “JayceesPark,” is available throughout the park, and canopies and trellises provide sun protection. Eco-friendly amenities include permeable pavers and rain gardens. In addition, 161 solar panels installed on the roof of the Municipal Center produce enough energy to power the park.
“I am thrilled that Naperville Jaycees Park is now open to our community,” Mayor Steve Chirico said. “This park is a success story through and through. From being 100% privately funded to weaving in sustainability both through the park’s design and energy source, I know everyone – whether using it as a workspace or just to relax - will enjoy this amenity for years to come.”
The “smart park” concept was introduced at Mayor Chirico’s 2017 State of the City address following input from the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce and community entrepreneurs regarding the desire for flexible workspace near Naperville’s downtown. Over $580,000 was pledged to the park’s construction and maintenance from community members and organizations, including a $200,000 donation over 10 years from the Naperville Jaycees, who are the lead donor and namesake of the park.
“I’m so pleased to see the vision of this Smart Park finally come to life,” said President/CEO of the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce Nicki Anderson. “The goal of bringing our remote workers into the city and creating a gathering space for exchanging ideas is exciting. As we continue to focus on our next generation of leaders and business men and women, this Smart Park is a great opportunity for them to gather, collaborate and enjoy the fruits of a forward-thinking community.”
For more information about the Naperville Jaycees Park, visit www.naperville.il.us/jayceespark. For more information about the City of Naperville, visit www.naperville.il.us. Sign up to receive the latest news on the City of Naperville’s projects and initiatives via e-mail at www.naperville.il.us/enews.
Photos by Mike Catuara for Glancer Magazine
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