Politics & Government

Plainfield Park District to Rename Park for Former Executive Director

After three decades with the organization, former Executive Director Greg Bott will leave his mark on the Plainfield Park District.

Retired Plainfield Park District Executive Director Greg Bott — who left his position in May after more than 30 years with the district — will soon have a park named in his honor.

River Edge Park will be renamed Gregory B. Bott Park, thanks to a unanimous vote by park board members at a Sept. 11 meeting. According to park district documents, it could take three to four months to complete a new sign for the park, although a notice on the park district website shows a dedication for the park scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 2.


"That was one of Greg’s favorite parks and he spent a lot of time there,” current Executive Director Garrett Peck told Patch last month, adding that he and park district board president Peter Hurtado came up with the idea to make Bott the park’s namesake. 

While the park is open, nearby River Edge Recreation Center has been closed due to repeated flooding since 2008. The property is located at 17844 W. Frontage Rd., off Caton Farm Road.

Park commissioner Mary Kay Ludemann, who was absent at the Sept. 11 meeting, said she supports dedicating a park in Bott’s honor.

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“I think it’s nice to name a park after Greg after all the years he’s been here,” she said, adding, “I don’t know why they chose that [particular] park.”

Peck said another option that was considered was renaming the Ottawa Street Pool after Bott.

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An attempt by Patch to reach Bott regarding the renaming of the park was unsuccessful.

Bott’s final days with the park district weren’t without controversy. In May, the board voted to amend his contract, causing him to retire six weeks ahead of schedule, while Peck, a Plainfield village trustee, assumed the role of interim executive director.

Meanwhile, former Superintendent of Planning Cameron Bettin, who was chosen in March to take over Bott’s role, was essentially demoted to assistant executive director.

On May 28, the board voted 3-2 to make Peck the permanent executive director.


Editor's note: Updated to include the date of the Gregory B. Bott Park dedication.

What’s your take on this? Is this a fitting way to recognize Greg Bott’s decades of service with the park district?


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