Lemont Park District Pays Tribute to First Board Member

LEMONT, IL — The Lemont Park District is remembering one of its own, after the passing of one of its first board members.

Norbert Lesnieski died Friday, Sept. 23. He served the park district for 36 years.

As they honor his memory, they reflect on his contributions to the village and the park district.

The Lemont Park District is celebrating the agency’s 50th anniversary this year. It was on April 16, 1966, that the District was officially formed and Norbert Lesnieski was voted in as one of the first Park District Commissioners. During his initial term, the first recreational programs were offered, one being a summer program for children and teenagers in the township. It ran five days a week for eight weeks and included a variety of sports-based activities. A major step forward in the District’s development was also taken during this timeframe when 35 acres of land was purchased on 127th Street to develop a major recreational facility. This park was named Centennial Park in 1973. During this same year, approximately two and a half acres of land was purchased on 123rd Street (McCarthy Road) and is now the site of Northview Park.

There were many other major milestones that the Lemont Park District experienced during Mr. Lesnieski’s years of service between 1966 and 2002. In the late 70s Virginia Reed Playground was acquired as well as the Witkoski Center Teen Club. The maintenance barn, tennis courts and a lighted ball field were also built. In 1988, the Lemont Park District was recognized as the number one Park District in the nation for program services and public participation. Also in ’88, the Park District changed its legal name to the “Lemont Park District” due to its expansion into neighboring counties. The Park District acquired and developed over ten parks between 1985 -1995. The Park District board decided neighborhood parks were a high priority with Lemont’s growing population. The Virginia Reed Park was named the best designed park in Illinois in 1990 and was selected for the Governor’s Hometown Award in 1991. Centennial Park Community Center was selected as the best Illinois Recreation Center for 1992 by the Illinois Park & Recreation Association. Mr. Norbert Lesnieski had a hand in all of these accomplishments.

“Norb was the longest serving Park Commissioner in the history of the District," said Robert Porter, former park district executive director. Porter served the District as Executive Director for nearly 30 years with the majority being during Lesnieski's time on the board. "He was a co-founder, dedicated to family value recreation opportunities and wanted quality designed parks for the neighborhoods. He was committed to youth sports, the arts, and cultural programs. It was a pleasure to work under his presidency. He put community service over politics.

In 2002, the District opened “The Lesnieski Community Center,” a modern multi-purpose community center built to accommodate local, non-profit organizations as well as party rentals. As the community continued to grow, it was apparent there was a need for a state-of-the-art fitness facility in Lemont. A referendum was passed in 2007 to enable the construction of a 70,000 square-foot Fitness & Aquatic Complex. Upon the passing of the referendum, design of the new facility began. Part of the plan was to build the new complex around the existing Lesnieski Community Center, linking the history to the future of the Park District as well as continuing to honor Norbert Lesnieski.

The Lemont Park District CORE Fitness & Aquatic Complex opened on December 20, 2009. It is home to a state-of-the-art fitness facility which is actually housed in the original Lesnieski Community Center. After The CORE was opened, the district paid tribute to Norbert Lesnieski during a rededication of the fitness facility in his honor. A plaque including his photo was unveiled which is displayed on the exterior wall of the original Lesnieski Community Center at the entrance of The CORE’s cardio area. He will forever be remembered and will surely be missed.

“To honor his legacy and pay tribute to Norbert Lesnieski and all his accomplishments, the Lemont Park District decided to place red ribbons around the trees planted at the front of the campus; red was one of his favorite colors according to his family," said Lemont Park District’s Board President Brian Pepich.

"We as a district will be forever grateful for Norb’s selfless volunteerism as well as his passion for serving his community."

Photos Courtesy of Lemont Park District