WNBA’s Candace Parker to attend Naperville, IL celebration dedicating local basketball court to her

The WNBA’s Candace Parker, a decorated athlete, Olympian and former Naperville, IL resident, will be honored by her hometown at an event on July 30 at 11:00 a.m. Naperville's Spring-Field Park will be the site of the event, and the court itself will be renamed in her honor. This is the place where Parker, as a young, developing athlete, honed her basketball skills. End Quote

The Naperville Park District is honored to have the opportunity to make a lasting connection through one of our parks with such an amazing athlete.

Chicago, IL (1888PressRelease) July 20, 2009 - The Naperville Park District is honoring Naperville’s own Candace Parker at an event on Thursday, July 30 at Spring-Field Park at 11:00 a.m. The Park District will be dedicating the newly renovated basketball court in her honor, renaming it “Candace Parker Basketball Court.”

“The Park District and the community are very excited to welcome home Candace Parker and give her hometown the opportunity to honor her,” explained Ray McGury, executive director of the Naperville Park District. “Spring-Field Park is where Candace practiced basketball growing up, so the park and the court hold a special meaning for her. We are really the ones who are honored to be able to make a lasting connection through one of our parks with such an amazing athlete.”

The event will include a special presentation by the Naperville Park District, and Naperville Mayor A. George Pradel will present Parker with a key to the city.

“I am so excited to welcome Candace back to Naperville and present her with a Key to the City, Naperville Mayor A. George Pradel said. Candace is one of our hometown heroes and a positive role model for future generations of Naperville athletes. This is a fitting tribute for an outstanding individual. She truly has the key to our hearts in Naperville.”

Additionally, there will be giveaways for the first 500 guests courtesy of Gatorade, Adidas and McDonald’s; attendees also will have the opportunity to enter a drawing to win a pair of Parker’s athletic shoes by Adidas.

Parker is planning on signing autographs during the event, but her availability will be limited and dictated by her schedule for the day.

Parker’s prowess on the basketball court has earned her numerous distinctions, from her high school prep career at Naperville Central High School where her contributions drove the Redhawks to consecutive state titles, as a member of the University of Tennessee Lady Vols where she led in scoring and rebounds during her final season, and as the top pick of the 2008 WNBA draft, going to the Los Angeles Sparks, her current team.

Most recently, Parker led the U.S. Women’s basketball team to the gold medal during the Olympic Summer Games in Beijing, China.

Spring-Field Park is located at 2031 Springside Circle in Naperville.

As on-site parking will be extremely limited, a shuttle bus service from nearby Kingsley Elementary School will be available. Buses will run continuously beginning at 10:00 a.m.; the last shuttle from the park back to the school will depart around 1:30 p.m. Guests are strongly encouraged to park at or near the school and use the shuttle service or walk to the event. Kingsley Elementary School is located at 2403 Kingsley Drive in Naperville.

For more information regarding the Candace Parker dedication and other Naperville Park District programs and services, visit www.napervilleparks.org.

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