Veterans Park: Remembrance, Nature and Community Service

Veterans Park: Remembrance, Nature and Community Service. . , What Was Here Before the Park? , Early Settlements Along the DuPage River , Before pioneers from the eastern United States arrived in Naperville, the Potawatomi lived in settlements along the DuPage River, most likely including the area that is now Veterans Park. The Potawatomi lived close to the land and river, where they fished, hunted, trapped and gathered food. When settlers arrived in the 1830s, they began farming, milling wood for houses and slowly built up the community of Naperville, still centered around the DuPage River. , , Home of the City's Central Wastewater Treatment Plant , In 1890, Naperville organized as a city and in 1903 began constructing a water and sewer system. The City of Naperville acquired the land that is now Veterans Park and constructed the Central Wastewater Treatment Plant, which served the central part of the city from 1904 until early 1976. The Springbrook Regional Water Reclamation Center began serving the entire city as of February 24, 1976. , , Veterans Park is Created , After the Central Wastewater Treatment Plant was demolished, the City of Naperville considered what to do with the land, and residents championed the idea of a park as the best way to preserve the beauty of the river. The Naperville Park District entered into a 99-year lease agreement with the City in 1984 to develop and maintain a park. The name "Veterans Park" was chosen as a way to honor veterans in the community. , , Veterans Park Today , Monuments , A Memorial Wall honors veterans from all branches of military service and provides a fitting setting for remembrance celebrations on Veterans Day and Memorial Day. The wall, flagpoles and a memorial stone were dedicated on Veterans Day in 1989. An engraving on the wall reads, "Let peace and beauty be found here. Remember those who have served us well." , , A Peace Pole was added to the park in 2015. The pole is laser inscribed with the words, "May peace prevail on earth," displayed in 12 languages on the six sides of the pole. , , A Gold Star Families Memorial installed in 2022 honors the Naperville families of service members who sacrificed their lives while serving in the military. , , Nature , Residents can walk or bike to the park along the DuPage River Trail or drive to the park and then take a hike on the trail or enjoy a picnic under the trees, with a view of the natural areas along the river shoreline. , , Adopt-A-Park , Community service groups or others who are interested in assisting the Park District in keeping parks beautiful may adopt a park, which involves committing to several volunteer days each year. Naperville Park District is grateful to The Kiwanis Club of Naperville for adopting Veterans Park since 2011.