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Community Corner

Lambert: The Plainfield Park District — Part 3

How did the park district get its start in Plainfield?

The Inquiry

Recently, a Plainfield Patch reader noted that, in 2012, the Plainfield Township Park District marked its 45th anniversary.  The park district explored many recreation venues for the Plainfield community as it matured into a viable local government agency.

Click here to read part 1.

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Click here to read part 2.

The Facts

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As a new decade unfolded, the Plainfield Township Park District entered its third full year of existence.  Park commissioners laid out a plan to acquire and develop more land for public recreational use.

Expansion of Park Land and Services

In late 1970, the Plainfield Lions Club offered to donate a picnic shelter to be constructed at the Village Green park in downtown Plainfield.  The shelter was constructed and officially given to the district in August 1971. 

Simultaneously, the commissioners discussed the possibility of purchasing park land at Lily Cache Road near Caton Farm Road.  The land was purchased from Mrs. Van Horn in February 1972.  Additional acreage was acquired two years later.  In 1975, the park commissioners christened the newly-acquired park land as “Lily Cache-Van Horn Park.”

Dennis Mattix was hired to replace Max Norman as the district’s park superintendent.  Mattix received an annual salary of $ 1,400.00 with an annual car allowance of $ 100.

In 1971, planning efforts began for the development of the 74 acre parcel along Lockport Street near Interstate 55.  The following spring, the park commissioners reviewed preliminary concepts for the construction of baseball diamonds, tennis courts, restrooms and a concessions stand.  In June 1972, bids were let for the initial improvements to the large park parcel.

During the summer of 1972, the park at the Marybrook subdivision was re-named Bill Kelly Park in honor of the neighborhood’s developer and local resident.   

As improvements continued at the Lockport Street park property in September 1972, a new organization, the Plainfield Junior Cats Football League, approached the Park District with a request for the development of additional football fields.

The Community Garden Plot program was initiated by the Park District in 1974 with garden plots rented at $ 5.00 each for the season.

Nearly 10 years after his first request, Plainfield Band Director Ed Jones approached the Plainfield Township Park District Board with an appeal for the construction of band shell for outdoor concerts at the Village Green.  His second request was “taken under advisement.”

The Naming of Four Seasons Park

As the Plainfield Township Park District continued its program of improvements of the 74 acre park parcel along Lockport Street, the park commissioners encouraged suggestions for an appropriate park name.

In 1974, Plainfield seventh grader, Sharon Foreman submitted the winning entry of “Four Seasons Park.”  Recently, Sharon recalled the naming of the park: 

My teacher told the class about the contest for it. I think most kids forgot about it right after she told us, but I was very excited about the chance to name a park. I went home and told my mom about it and asked her, “How would I come up with a good name for a park?” 

Sharon’s mom suggested writing down “all the things someone could do at the park” with hopes that the list would help her daughter discover the ideal park name.  Sharon wrote down all the things she could think of at that age: ice skating, baseball, football, collecting leaves from the trees in the fall.  Although Sharon no longer remembers the entire list, she recalls showing the list to her mom who replied, “Well, you came up with something for all four seasons!"

Based on her mom’s observation, Sharon submitted the name of “Four Seasons Park” for the Lockport Street property.  As the winner of the contest, Sharon received a $ 20.00 savings bond.

Four Seasons Park improvements continued throughout the early 1970s although much of the parcel remained undeveloped.  In 1975, the Rusty Runners Snowmobile Club successfully petitioned the Park Board for the right to snowmobile at Four Seasons Park.

Changing of the Guard

On a motion from Commissioner Hagerman in July 1976, lifelong Plainfield resident Carolyn Gudgeon was appointed as the first female commissioner of the Plainfield Township Park District.

The following summer, Edward DeMarco was hired as the first, full-time Director of Parks and Recreation.  His employment began in June 1977, when the Plainfield Township Park District was in the middle of its tenth year.  DeMarco’s annual salary was established at $ 16,000. 

Next Column:  Plainfield Township Park District – Final Installment

Have a question about Plainfield’s history?  Send your inquiries to Michael Lambert via Plainfield Patch.

© 2013 Michael A. Lambert.  All Rights Reserved

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