HR0935 93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0935 LRB093 21992 KEF 51062 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, In 1922, Walter Fredenhagen purchased a building at 324 S. Washington Street in Naperville and ran a coal and ice business that was later converted to a dairy and ice cream business; and

WHEREAS, In 1931, when Naperville's population grew to 6,000, Walter's wife Grace interviewed applicants to manage the ice cream shops he founded called "Prince Castles"; and

WHEREAS, The business known for its square scoops of ice cream and "one in a million" milkshakes grew to be the second largest employer in Naperville for a time; and

WHEREAS, In 1955, management began changing the names of the ice cream stores to Cock Robin; and in 1967, the thriving business had expanded to 25 locations and the Naperville store was renamed Cock Robin Restaurant; and

WHEREAS, In 1996, Rita Harvard and Ted Fredenhagen, children of Grace and Walter, contacted the city of Naperville with the idea to transfer their stock in exchange for building a park as a tribute to their parents for their inspiration and civic contributions; and

WHEREAS, At the end of 2000, while under independent management, the popular ice cream shop closed its doors; in 2001, the Cock Robin Sign was taken down to make way for the magical development of the gateway park; and

WHEREAS, The concept for the gateway park was designed, planned, and developed by the Riverwalk Commission with generous support from the community through donations to the Riverwalk Foundation; and

WHEREAS, Rita Harvard envisions a gathering place for the community where memories are made; and

WHEREAS, The Fredenhagen Park ribbon cutting took place on November 28, 2003, and the official dedication will be held May 22, 2004; and

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we thank Rita Harvard and Ted Fredenhagen for their most generous contribution of the gateway park to the Naperville community; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Rita Harvard and Ted Fredenhagen as a token of our respect.