Naperville park board expects earful from PR panel

In an effort to market itself better, the Naperville park board has created a public relations committee.

Two board members, Mary Wright and vice president Charlie Brown, make up the committee that met for the first time Wednesday.

"We've got to do a lot of listening with this group," Brown said. "We can always improve on communication and open the doors to the community a little wider."

The board has created several committees in recent months to tackle various issues. But the idea of a public relations committee is so fresh, no goals have been set.

In the last year, the district saw plans for a multimillion-dollar recreation center implode under public pressure and board infighting.

The departure of Executive Director Barbara Heller after less than three years on the job also gave the district a black eye.

However, neither Brown nor Wright said the creation of the new committee had anything to do with those issues.

The pair suggested one of the first recommendations they'll make to the full board is an outreach program with local organizations to provide park district personnel for speeches and presentations.

"We want to go to them instead of expect them to come to us," Brown said.

Reconnecting with local homeowners associations to find out what needs aren't being fulfilled is another suggestion that will be pursued.

Wright suggested culling relationships with business groups like the Naperville Development Partnership and chamber of commerce to help market the park district during presentations to potential commercial ventures coming to the city.

Brown also suggested the district tout its successes.

"The thing that comes to mind is cricket," he said. "That was a need we fulfilled that we didn't know people in town were looking for."

The new committee will meet once a month and deliver status reports at the park board's monthly meetings.