St. Charles Park District Honors Former Commissioner

Former Park Commission John “Jack” Kerr was honored Tuesday, May 28, 2013 during a dedication ceremony hosted by the St. Charles Park District in Pottawatomie Park.Kerr, who passed away July 2, 2012,was very involved in the Fox Valley community since moving there in 1985 from Marietta, Ga., with his wife of 52 years, Mary Neder Kerr, according to a Park District release.

The Park District Board is commemorating the walkway along the shores of the Fox River by the historic pavilion in Pottawatomie Park in recognition of Kerr’s 25 years’ of service and dedication to the district. The path will be named the John “Jack” Kerr Walkway.Community service was very important to Kerr, which the Park District release states was evident in the time and talent he devoted to many organizations.

From 1987 to 2012, Kerr served the Park District Board in many capacities — president, vice president, treasurer and secretary. The Park District release also notes his services as  a representative and treasurer for the Norris Cultural Arts Center Board, as a representative on the Kane County Citizens Advisory Committee, the River Corridor Foundation, the Kane County Judicial Center Master Plan Committee, and the Fox Valley Special Recreation Association.

Kerr’s tenure on the Park District Board saw many accomplishments, the release states. He was an advocate for the acquisition of open space, improvements to existing facilities, and the development of new properties.The release states Kerr was instrumental in the Park District winning the National Gold Medal Award in 1998.

During Kerr’s time on the board, the Park District acquired more than 1,000 acres of land for parks and open space. Two successful referendums also were passed during his tenure, paving the way for the acquisition of open space, development of Primrose Farm, two sports complexes, construction of an aquatic park, a nature center and miles of bike path.

Kerr’s passion was aquatics, specifically the renovation of the 70-year-old Swanson Pool in Pottawatomie Park, the Park District release states.

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