Districtwide Parks and Open Space Parks are an essential public service – “just as water, sewer, and public safety are considered essential public services, parks are vitally important to establishing and maintaining the quality of life in a community, ensuring the health of families and youth, and contributing to the economic and environmental well-being of a community and region” (NRPA, 2010). Parks and open space have long been considered a necessary component to vital communities. They improve physical and psychological health, strengthen communities, and make neighborhoods more attractive places to live and work (Sherer, 2005, p. 6). Additionally, they improve economic health, act as green infrastructure, preserve and protect natural resources, and promote exercise, learning, and even tourism (see the Naperville Riverwalk). As communities grow denser and the impact of climate change increases, parks are looked at for “their potential to help address critical urban infrastructure and public health issues” (City Parks Alliance, 2023). As referenced in the 2001 Open Space and Recreation Master Plan, open space and parks are the main reasons the Naperville Park District was formed. It continues to be the primary provider of open space and park experiences throughout the City of Naperville today, offering many key benefits that positively impact quality of life for residents and guests.
Total Acreage: 2,473.98
At the time of this publication, the Park District operates 2,473.98 acres of open space, 17% of which is leased. In accordance with the most recent census estimates, there are nearly 16.54 acres of parkland per 1,000 people in Naperville. There is more acreage in the southern portion of Naperville versus the north, largely due to the Land Cash Dedication Ordinance enacted in 1972 (where developers dedicated land or the cash equivalent value) and an involved administration that acquired parcels to keep pace with the fast-growing development. The northern portion of Naperville is older and more established with fewer opportunities to purchase quality park land or open space.
428.48 17%
2,045.50 83%
Owned
Leased
Park Types
Neighborhood Parks Community Parks
1-2 acres 5-8 acres 5-10 acres
2 acres 5,000 0.5 519.44 21.0% 3.47 299.08 220.36 174%
3 acres 20,000 2 238.01 9.6% 1.59 448.62 (210.61)
53%
District Parks Greenways
5 acres 30,000 3 921.84 37.3% 6.16 747.70 174.14 123%
NA .5 acre
DW DW 129.06 5.2% 0.86 74.77 54.29 173% DW DW 234.95 9.5% 1.57 149.54 85.41 157%
Preservation/Conservation Areas Special Use (with Golf Courses)
NA NA
1 acre
NA
DW DW 430.68 17.4% 2.88
-
-
-
All Open Space
10/1,000 14.5/1,000
-
- 2,473.98 100% 16.542,168.33305.65 114%
Factoring in other open space providers, such as the Forest Preserve Districts, School Districts, and the City of Naperville, open space acreage per 1,000 people is even higher (see Appendix E for inclusion of the Forest Preserve land). While these providers vary in the opportunities offered compared to the Park District, they do affect the Park District’s programming, acquisition, and development plans. It is important for the Park District to work in conjunction with these agencies to complement one another and avoid duplication of services to residents.
26 Naperville Park District | 2023 MASTER PLAN
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