The Naperville Park District Board said goodbye to one long-time member Thursday while swearing in two new commissioners and one returning for his fourth term.
Marie Todd opted not to run for reelection in 2023 after having served 18 years on the board.
“It’s quite incredible to think of the years of volunteer service you’ve given this organization and our community,” park board President Mary Gibson said as she presented Todd with a framed photo of the Naperville Riverwalk.
“Your unwavering support and willingness to serve where needed — as president, vice president or simply an experienced commissioner willing to help new commissioners when we called you … really made the park district what it is today.”
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Gibson also cited Todd’s role in helping the district accomplish many changes during her tenure, including renovations at Centennial Beach and the two golf courses and the opening of 95th Street Community Plaza and Will’s Crossing Community Park. A practice facility being built at Naperbrook Golf Course will be named in Todd’s honor.
“First of all, I’d like to thank the community for their faith in me the last 18 years. The fact that they kept reelecting me was pretty mind-blowing,” Todd said.
“Secondly, I’d like to thank the staff of the park district for their patience in answering all my questions over the years. I learned an awful lot … about park districts, about how they operate, all the little things they do. I learned more than I wanted to know about grass seed and fertilizer.”
She encouraged the new commissioners to get a similar education by leaning on the experts.
The new board members sworn in Thursday were Chris Jacks and John Risvold. Rich Janor, who has served on the board since 2011, was sworn in for a new four-year term.
Jacks, a Naperville resident since 2008 and father of two, is chair of the Naperville Historic Commission. Risvold is a personal injury trial lawyer with three young children.
Giles Bruce is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.