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Naperville
Thursday, March 28, 2024

Community is invited to the June 4 Barn Farewell Celebration

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Above / On June 4, rock bands, kids’ activities, food and memories will surround The Barn, located at 421 W. Martin Ave. in Knoch Park.

bev-frier-barn-bond
Bev Frier was among many local residents that supported “bond” fundraising efforts to build The Barn back in the mid-1960s.

The Naperville Park District invites the community to celebrate The Barn’s history at the Barn Farewell Event from 4-9PM on Saturday, June 4.

The Barn, located at 421 W. Martin Ave. in Knoch Park, was constructed in 1965 as a teen center, funded by hundreds of community donors.

The Park District assumed ownership of The Barn in 1969, with teen events continuing there through the early 1970s and weekday use expanding over the years to include office space, preschool classrooms, gymnastics, and other recreation programming.

After a 2009 study found that extensive renovations were needed for safety, accessibility and future use of both The Barn and the adjacent Central Maintenance Facility, the Park District engaged a community review team to evaluate options, including major renovations of both facilities, new construction on site or relocating the activities taking place there to a new location. Taking into consideration the review team’s recommendation and public comment at several open house events, the Park Board decided to build a new central maintenance facility at the Martin Ave. location and to build a new activity center at a different location. 
barn-committee

Above / In December, a number of members on the Park District 50th Anniversary Committee volunteering to help highlight the traditions and heritage of The Barn near and dear to many Napervillians, viewed the plans for the new Central Maintenance Facility that will take its place.

More detailed information about the Barn and Central Maintenance study and process can be found atwww.napervilleparks.org/barn-recreation-center.

The new facilities envisioned several years ago are taking shape in 2016. The Fort Hill Activity Center, currently under construction at 20 Fort Hill Drive, will open in August 2016, offering nearly 80,000 square feet of indoor recreation space, including a walk/jog track, gymnasiums, dance and group exercise rooms, a fitness area, a café, an indoor playground and more.

First Barn Farewell Event, then 2016 Ribfest, then demolition

A familiar place such as The Barn calls for a special send off, a celebration of its unique history and of the people who helped make it a special place for youth and everyone.

The Barn Farewell Event on June 4 is a party for all generations. Thanks to a number of generous sponsors, the event will include free food for the first 250 guests, catered by Belgio’s, a commemorative cup for the first 400 guests, water and soda, inflatables for kids, raffle prizes and other giveaways.

In keeping with The Barn’s early tradition of hosting teen dances and local rock bands, the celebration will include performances by three local bands:  1) the second place winner of the May 6, 2016 Battle of the Bands, 2) a 1970s-era band, Nepenthe, including several musicians who played at the Barn, and 3) OMT, a popular Chicago-area band with members who also were part of The Barn’s history.

The live bands will perform from the stage located on the field immediately west of The Barn, to allow room for a larger audience.  Food and beverages will be served under a tent near the band stage.

A limited selection of adult beverages will be able with the requisite identification.

Travel down Memory Lane

In addition to enjoying live music and refreshments, guests will be able to travel down Memory Lane inside The Barn, viewing photographs, memorabilia, a video history by NCTV-17 and much more.

A number of special guests plan to be present, including George Bussey, one of the Naperville Central High School students who led the fundraising campaign to build The Barn.

Several staff members from Naper Settlement will be on hand to comment on the history of The Barn, and those who have experienced the Barn as youth or adults throughout its history are encouraged to gather and share memories.

“We are grateful to our sponsors and those in the community who are helping with this unique event,” said Executive Director Ray McGury. “We invite everyone to join us in celebrating the Barn and our shared history.”

Soon after the close of 2016 Ribfest in the first full week of July, site work will begin for a new maintenance facility at Knoch Park and The Barn Recreation Center will be demolished.

bond

 

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Naperville Park District
Naperville Park Districthttp://www.napervilleparks.org/
Created in 1966, the Naperville Park District is an independent, municipal agency serving the recreation needs of its residents. An Illinois Distinguished Agency since 1994, the District is one of only 1% of park districts across the country to be nationally accredited through the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA). The Naperville Park District’s mission is to provide recreation and park experiences that promote healthy lives, healthy minds and a healthy community. The District maintains and operates more than 2,400 acres with 137 parks and provides more than 1,500 recreational, arts and environmental programs and special events annually. Included within the District’s operations are two championship golf courses, a multitude of playgrounds, trails, athletic courts and sports fields, Fort Hill Activity Center, Knoch Knolls Nature Center, two inline skating and skateboarding facilities, the Millennium Carillon, a paddle boat quarry, historic Centennial Beach, and the beautiful Riverwalk.

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