DEAR FRIENDS OF THE NAPERVILLE PARK DISTRICT:
In 2023, the Naperville Park District experienced robust growth in participation in its recreation programs, services, and events. As an organization that serves a growing city that continues to attract residents who are active, engaged and educated, the continued strong interest shown in the District’s parks, facilities and programs demonstrate that residents view the District as a valuable resource for themselves and their families. In the wake of the pandemic, community members are eager to rebuild a healthy lifestyle, connect with neighbors, provide learning experiences for their children, and appreciate the beauty of nearby parks. Popular youth athletic programs such as Naperville Youth Soccer and Naperville Youth Basketball surged in participation in 2022 and have maintained high levels of registration throughout 2023, adding 2-5% more participants. Summer Day Camps added 22% more campers in 2023 and Senior/Adult Trips and Outings saw a 41% increase in participation in 2023. Fitness memberships at Fort Hill Fitness increased in 2023, with usage of the facility increasing by 55%
as of late summer. Golf rounds at Naperbrook Golf Course increased by 23% compared to 2022 and driving range revenue from both Springbrook and Naperbrook rose by 12%. As a steward of 138 parks, with unique destinations such as Centennial Beach and the Riverwalk, the Park District is committed to taking good care of our parks and facilities. The 2022 Community Interest and Opinion Survey showed once again that a high percentage of residents visit parks. In addition to drop-in use, parks support the District’s recreation programs and are available to local organizations for rentals. In 2023, park and facility rentals increased, including use by athletic groups, community members, and local organizations. For example, some of the events held in Naperville Park District parks in 2023 included the Festival of Colors, India Day, Irish Fest, Halal Fest, Hispanic Heritage Fest, and the Naperville Salute’s Fourth of July event. Park District commissioners and staff members welcome the growth in interest in parks and recreation and are working diligently to meet
the needs of the community while facing the same challenges that many businesses are experiencing. These challenges include the difficulty in hiring and retaining high-quality staff, rising costs in almost every area, and the low supply of equipment, commodities and vehicles. Additionally, the Park District lacks sufficient indoor space for recreation, which impacts popular programs such as Gymnastics, Open Gyms, Group Exercise, Dance, and Naperville Youth Basketball. In response to these challenges, the Park District is committed to the continued pursuit of innovation, partnerships, and planning. Recognizing the importance of attracting and retaining a talented and loyal workforce, in 2023 the District continued its strong focus on recruiting and retention. The Human Resources and Marketing departments continued their strategic partnership to creatively highlight part-time jobs and full-time career opportunities at the Naperville Park District, emphasizing the organization as one with exceptional culture, teamwork, and interesting and engaging opportunities. In 2022, two distinct
2024 BUDGET 3
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