Buffalo Grove Park District honors original board member

The Buffalo Grove Park District Board has honored longtime board member Bill Kiddle, 84, by naming the new shelter in front of the Alcott Center, 530 Bernard Drive, in his honor and passing a resolution that commended him on a lifetime of service.

Kiddle was instrumental in the creation of the district in 1969, and served on the park board 12 years, beginning with the first park board. He oversaw massive expansion that included 19 parks, two pools, a museum and more than 177 acres.

His service on the land acquisition committee and tenacity in getting an ordinance requiring developers to donate park land ensured that park expansion consisted of high quality land fairly distributed throughout the community.

"Our whole family is deeply honored and humbled by the Buffalo Grove Park District's decision to put our name on a shelter," said Kiddle at the Sept. 26 ceremony.

"The shelter is located in a park which has provided our own family with opportunities for recreation and relaxation for over 40 years; and our hope is that the shelter and park will continue to serve other families in the same way for another 40 years into the future."

After leaving the board, Kiddle's service included coaching, mentoring, and volunteering at the Raupp Museum until this summer. At the museum, he conducted hundreds of hours of research, created countless new programs, and set a standard of quality and compassion that is unequaled.

"Bill Kiddle did so much to make our park district what it is today," said Buffalo Grove Park District Board President Rick Drazner. "Bill is a mentor and role model for the board to emulate."