St. Charles Park District Honors Klimek

The St. Charles Park District has renamed the exhibit hall at Hickory Knolls Discovery Center after longtime Park Commissioner Gloria Klimek, who was honored for her 24 years of elected service during an April 23 retirement reception, the park district said in a release.

The Park District credited Klimek for working tirelessly with her fellow commissioners and Park District staff members to acquire and improve parks, natural areas, facilities and the recreational program offerings for Park District residents, the release states.

Described as an active environmentalist and enthusiastic volunteer, Klimek urged the Park District to work proactively to partner with local and regional agencies to offer environmental education and conservation programs, the release states. Klimek was an advocate for removing invasive non-native plant species in St. Charles’ remaining natural areas, the establishment of an arboretum at Mt. St. Mary Park, and the development of the native plant demonstration garden in Pottawatomie Park.

During her tenure, the Hickory Knolls Discovery Center was built. It is a LEED-certified facility and is the first of its kind in Kane County.

“I had always hoped the Park District could develop a nature center,” she said in the release. “ Hickory Knolls is beautiful, open and welcoming facility inviting everyone to explore fascinating exhibits among more than 100 acres of prairie, woodland and wetlands. The exhibit hall is a great place to observe nature firsthand through its floor-to-ceiling windows. I personally enjoy identifying the myriad bird species that visit the feeders and the pond. I invite everyone to come out and take a look, you won’t be disappointed.”

“It is with great honor that this space be dedicated to recognize her years of service,” said Park Board President Karrsten Goettel.

Klimek was most interested in the acquisition of park land and the preservation of natural areas more than 20 years ago. “In the late ’80s and early ’90s, development was at its peak, and if the Park District didn’t act then, it would soon be too late,” Klimek said.

During her tenure as a commissioner, the Park District acquired and developed more than 900 acres, including:

James O. Breen Community Park

River Bend Community Park in Valley View

East Side Sports Complex

Delnor Woods Park.

Klimek said that during her term, the one moment that stands out came in 1998, when the Park District received the National Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management. It is the nation’s most prestigious honor for a park and recreation agency.

“Several of us traveled to the NRPA Congress in Miami that October to receive it, but the threat of a hurricane caused the conference to be canceled. We later received the award in St. Charles when officials traveled here to present it. To this day, I wished we could have been among our peers to hear … and the winner is … the St. Charles Park District,” Klimek recalled. “The district has been a finalist for many years since that victory. We are contenders again this year, and I am hopeful.”

Of her retirement, Klimek said she will miss most the people — her fellow commissioners, Park District staff and volunteers.

“They are all passionate about what they do and give generously of themselves to make the Park District the best it can be,” she said. “It has been a constant honor, privilege and joy to serve on the park board, and yes, I will miss it.”

SOURCE:St. Charles Park District

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