HR0935 LRB093 21992 KEF 51062 r

1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, In 1922, Walter Fredenhagen purchased a building
3 at 324 S. Washington Street in Naperville and ran a coal and
4 ice business that was later converted to a dairy and ice cream
5 business; and
 
6     WHEREAS, In 1931, when Naperville's population grew to
7 6,000, Walter's wife Grace interviewed applicants to manage the
8 ice cream shops he founded called "Prince Castles"; and
 
9     WHEREAS, The business known for its square scoops of ice
10 cream and "one in a million" milkshakes grew to be the second
11 largest employer in Naperville for a time; and
 
12     WHEREAS, In 1955, management began changing the names of
13 the ice cream stores to Cock Robin; and in 1967, the thriving
14 business had expanded to 25 locations and the Naperville store
15 was renamed Cock Robin Restaurant; and
 
16     WHEREAS, In 1996, Rita Harvard and Ted Fredenhagen,
17 children of Grace and Walter, contacted the city of Naperville
18 with the idea to transfer their stock in exchange for building
19 a park as a tribute to their parents for their inspiration and
20 civic contributions; and
 
21     WHEREAS, At the end of 2000, while under independent
22 management, the popular ice cream shop closed its doors; in
23 2001, the Cock Robin Sign was taken down to make way for the
24 magical development of the gateway park; and
 
25     WHEREAS, The concept for the gateway park was designed,
26 planned, and developed by the Riverwalk Commission with
27 generous support from the community through donations to the
28 Riverwalk Foundation; and
 

 

 

HR0935 - 2 - LRB093 21992 KEF 51062 r

1     WHEREAS, Rita Harvard envisions a gathering place for the
2 community where memories are made; and
 
3     WHEREAS, The Fredenhagen Park ribbon cutting took place on
4 November 28, 2003, and the official dedication will be held May
5 22, 2004; and
 
6     RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
7 NINETY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we
8 thank Rita Harvard and Ted Fredenhagen for their most generous
9 contribution of the gateway park to the Naperville community;
10 and be it further
 
11     RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
12 presented to Rita Harvard and Ted Fredenhagen as a token of our
13 respect.