Dear Friends of the Naperville Park District:
Since becoming an independent municipal agency approximately 60 years ago, the Naperville Park District has consistently demonstrated its commitment to providing residents with exceptional parks, facilities, and programs. As Naperville continues to grow and evolve, the District remains deeply engaged with residents to understand and respond to their needs and interests—ensuring recreation opportunities for kids and adults of all ages remain relevant, inclusive, and high-quality. Throughout 2024, a key focus for the District was the development of the Indoor Recreation Space Needs Assessment (IRSNA). This extensive study provided an in-depth analysis of the District’s indoor recreation space, highlighting growing limitations due to expanding waitlists and the inability to accommodate demand for certain programs. As a next step, in early 2025, the District began exploring the possibility
of a referendum to expand indoor recreation space and address additional park and facility improvements across the community. The process officially began in late September with the launch of public engagement to introduce proposed projects and gather feedback from residents on a potential referendum. If the District proceeds, a referendum question would appear as early as the March 2026 ballot. It is noteworthy that the last voter-approved funding measure for the Naperville Park District was in December 1966 when residents voted to form the Park District. The results of the IRSNA identified several areas for future consideration, including the potential addition of indoor recreation space in south Naperville and expanded support for the city’s growing senior population, many of whom are choosing to age in place. To address these needs, while managing rising costs for capital projects and services, the District is exploring a
potential referendum to fund site improvements, including a new community activity center at Frontier Sports Complex and other community- wide enhancements. These recommendations are grounded in resident feedback collected over the years and designed to responsibly meet Naperville’s current and future recreation needs. At the same time, the District remains firmly committed to “taking care of what we have,” a principle that continues to guide annual capital planning and operational priorities. This focus on stewardship and efficiency—illustrated through ongoing maintenance efforts, infrastructure reinvestment, and the integration of new technologies such as autonomous mowers at Springbrook and Naperbrook Golf Courses— ensures that existing assets remain in top condition for generations to come.
2026 BUDGET 3
napervilleparks.org
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