Rotary Club of Joliet Recognized for Founding Role in Forest Preserve District
The Rotary Club of Joliet was recently recognized by the Forest Preserve District of Will County for its pivotal role in helping establish the district nearly a century ago. During the October 8 board meeting, Forest Preserve officials presented a plaque honoring the club's leadership in the successful effort to create the district through a 1926 voter referendum.
The initiative was led by Dr. W. Henry Wilson, chairman of the Rotary Club's Forest Preserve Committee and a nationally recognized pathologist at Silver Cross Hospital. Wilson and fellow Rotarians championed the importance of preserving natural areas and gathered the support needed to place a referendum on the November 1926 ballot. Voters approved the measure by nearly a 2-to-1 margin, setting the stage for the formation of the Forest Preserve District.
Following the referendum, the Forest Preserve District was organized in 1927 and acquired its first property, Messenger Woods, in 1930. Today, the district owns, leases, or manages more than 24,000 acres of forests, prairies, wetlands, trails, and other natural areas throughout Will County.
Presenting the award, Judy Ogalla, President of the Forest Preserve Board, recognized the Rotary Club's vision and commitment to conservation, noting that the recognition comes as the district prepares for its centennial celebration in 2027.
Accepting the plaque on behalf of the club, John Spesia, President of the Rotary Club of Joliet, expressed appreciation for the honor.
“We are honored to receive this award. All of us know that the Will County Forest Preserve is an absolute gem in this community. The services and opportunities it provides are unparalleled, here and around the country. I am certain that the Joliet Rotary Club members who were instrumental in starting the Forest Preserve of Will County would be proud of where we are today.”
This recognition highlights a proud chapter in the Rotary Club of Joliet's history and serves as a reminder that community leadership and Service Above Self can create a lasting legacy for generations to come.