By Igor Studenkov | Bugle Staff
Niles Park District commissioners past and present gathered near Point Park to unveil a monument honoring every park board commissioner, including those still to come.
The monument is located directly south of the Point Park playground, on a triangle-shaped piece of land wedged between Shermer and Waukegan roads. A sign that reads “Commissioners Point” rests near the spot where the two roads split. A bit further north, small plaza benches surround a conical pyramid structure. A bed of flowers rests at the tip of the cone, and plaques with names of every single commissioner line its sides.
Village trustee Joe LoVerde, who recently retired as the park district’s executive director, said park district staff and the board wanted to create something that would recognize everything commissioners have done over the years.
“This site pays tribute to those that served, those that continue to serve and those that will serve in the future,” he said. “This is a site that will always remember their contributions.”
Commissioners aren’t paid for their service on the park board, but LoVerde noted that their work has helped change Niles for the better. And every time a new commissioner is elected, the park district will add a new plaque to the monument.
LoVerde said plans for Commissioners Point had been discussed for more than two years. The land where the monument is located isn’t actually part of Point Park, meaning it will be treated as a separate facility.
Commissioners from throughout the park district’s history brought friends and family members to the unveiling, which took place June 17 at 4 p.m.
Niles Mayor Andrew Przybylo attended the event, and he was joined by village trustees George Alpogianis, John Jekot and Danette Matyas, as well as other officials. Former commissioners Louella Preston and Jim Hynes also served on the village board.
Przybylo said the monument was a much-needed tribute to park commissioners.
“It’s really something to behold,” he said. “It does go to the point that commissioners do so much for the community.”
Niles Park District was created by a referendum in 1954, according to “Niles Centennial History” – a book put together by the village’s historical society. Before that, the Niles Playground and Recreation Board, which was appointed by the village board, oversaw parks in the village.
Park district commissioners, on the other hand, were elected, though many of them weren’t strangers to managing parks. Lee Gress and Edwin Leith previously served on the Niles Playground and Recreation Board, while William Dressel, John Lambert and Walter Zelud were completely new to park management when they were elected to that first park district board of commissioners.
After the district was formed, it purchased five parks, including Point Park. As Niles expanded and grew, so did the Niles Park District.
The one major challenge to the status quo came Nov. 20, 1992, when Niles residents voted 6,500 to 3,500 to give control back to the village board. The board of commissioners voted not to recognize the results and filed a lawsuit, arguing that the park district couldn’t be dissolved unless the majority of registered voters approved the measure. The courts agreed, and the Niles Park District retained its independence.
Out of all of the former commissioners that attended the June 17 unveiling, none went as far back in the park district’s history as Jack Leske, who served between 1961 and 1978. He told the Bugle that he was proud of his efforts to acquire more land for the district. That land included what is now known as Tam O’Shanter Golf Course and the site of the Oasis water park.
As far as Commissioners Point is concerned, Leske said “it’s fantastic.”
“It recognizes all those people who served all those years, all those hours,” he added. “No one is ever compensated – they do it just for the community.”
Niles Park District Board of Commissioners President Dennis O’Donovan said he likes to think that the village’s parks and recreational facilities are a big reason why Niles has seen an influx of young families.
In his closing comments, LoVerde encouraged everyone to stop by the monument again.
“I hope you take time to visit often,” he said. “Bring children and grandchildren and sit there and reflect.”