Above / Back on March 1, 2020, the icy quarry at Centennial Beach brought back warm memories of the joys of Memorial Day weekend when Centennial Beach was scheduled to open. Due to Governor’s “Stay-at Home” order, Naperville Park District tentatively plans to open Centennial Beach June 20, 2020, during Father’s Day Weekend.
Updated, June 9, 2020 / Previously planning to open Father’s Day Weekend, Naperville Park District has now canceled the 2020 Centennial Beach season. DuPage County Health Department will not issue a permit during Phase 3. Click here for latest details.
Original Post, April 9, 2020 / In a typical year, Centennial Beach opens to the public the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend. However, this year, with the governor’s current stay at home order in effect, the Naperville Park District has pushed back its opening date by four weeks.
“There are too many variables right now in light of the COVID-19 pandemic for us to reasonably say that it will be business as usual come Memorial Day weekend,” explained Ray McGury, executive director of the Naperville Park District. “Our primary focus at the beach is about safety and this current situation just adds another layer of safety-related concerns to be addressed.”
The June 20 opening date provides the Park District with the opportunity to gather additional information or guidelines from public health organizations regarding aquatics operations for the summer season.
The Park District continues to move forward with the hiring of staff for the facility, including lifeguards, swim lesson instructors and guest services attendants.
Parks staff members, who normally begin working on maintenance procedures in March to get the facility ready for its late May opening, have deferred this process to later this month. There is annual required cleaning and maintenance that needs to be performed even though it’s possible that the facility could remain closed for the season. Centennial Beach staff training, which typically begins in April, will be postponed until late May.
Submitted by Sue Omanson for the Naperville Park District. (PN Photos)
Respect “Stay-at-Home.” Playgrounds at Naperville parks are closed. Be safe.
Watch for ’95th Street Community Plaza’
Above / Now under construction to be completed this summer is the new “95th Street Community Plaza.” A grand opening date is yet to be determined for the facility just south of the 95th Street Library.
At the April 9, 2020, board meeting, the Naperville Park District board of commissioners approved Resolution 2002 to name the new plaza under construction at Frontier Sports Complex the “95th Street Community Plaza.”
This project is creating a new recreational space at Frontier Sports Complex that will connect to the 95th Street Library, Neuqua Valley High School and the Birkett Freshman Center. Features included in the two-acre project include the Wagner Family Pavilion—a performance pavilion overlooking an area for lawn seating and recreational activities—a storybook playground, the District’s first splash pad, native plant restoration along the pond shoreline, seating areas, shade canopies, connecting walkways, and restrooms.
First envisioned by the 95th Street Library Manager Karen Dunford and then designed in collaboration with Hitchcock Design Group and organizational stakeholders based on community input, the project will provide a beautiful outdoor gathering place for a wide range of activities for those of all ages and abilities.
The $3.6 million project is being funded, in part, by cash-in-lieu fees and a donation from Pulte Homes in collaboration with the Wagner family.
Construction is planned to be complete this summer, with a grand opening event to be scheduled once community health guidelines allow.
Respect “Stay-at-Home.” Get plenty of rest. Eat healthy foods. Stay hydrated. Remain isolated as much as possible. Cover coughs & sneezes. Wear face covers. Practice 6-ft. social distances. Follow safe practices for freedom.
