Commissioner Serves 10 Years on DG Park District Board

Image: Bob Gelwicks (left) and the Downers Grove Parks logo.

Bob Gelwicks will reach the 10-year milestone on the board of the Downers Grove Park District this year.

A resident of Downers Grove for 40 years, Gelwicks was appointed to the board in 2004, and in 2005 he was elected to the board. Board President Matt Cushing presented Gelwicks with a plaque at the board meeting in December, according to the parks district.

Gelwicks was president of the board from 2005 to 2013, and he’s been vice president since May 2013.

“All park district commissioners are unpaid volunteer positions, and Commissioner Gelwicks has volunteered countless hours to Downers Grove over the past ten years,” said Bill McAdam, executive director of the Downers Grove Park District, in a statement. “Through his support of projects such as the McCollum Park renovation he has had a major impact on improving recreation and parks for everyone in our community.”

Gelwicks helped with the Barth Pond shoreline and Lyman Woods Streambank stabilization projects, according to the park district. He also assisted with the construction of the Fishel Park bandshell and the restoration of the historical Blodgett House.

The synthetic turf field at Doerhoefer Park was also created under Gelwicks, as well as the acquisition of the Walnut property on Walnut Avenue. The district also participated in intergovernmental agreements for the renovation of Washington Park and McCollum Park, according to the park district.

In 2013, the DuPage Environmental Committee recognized Gelwicks for his role in implementing sustainable initiatives in the Park District. This work helped the district earn an Earth Flag, according to the parks district.