Naperville's Moser Tower and Millennium Carillon

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Sameera Luthman, Director of Marketing and Communications, 630-848-3570,

sluthman@napervilleparks.org

Brad Wilson, Director of Recreation, 630-848-3532, bwilson@napervilleparks.org

Ray McGury, Executive Director, 630-848-3500, rmcgury@napervilleparks.org

Date: September 21, 2010

Naperville’s Millennium Carillon wins Metropolitan Planning Council contest. Carillon and other winners to be highlighted in Chicago Architecture tour

Following a month of online voting for one of twenty-four favorite public places in the Metropolitan Planning Council’s (MPC) “What Makes Your Place Great? Your Secret Corner of Chicagoland Contest,” Naperville’s Millennium Carillon emerged victorious.

The contest was held in partnership with the Chicago Architecture Foundation to find out about “undiscovered” spaces across the Chicagoland area.

Online votes were cast to determine the fan favorite. Three other winners were selected by a panel of MPC judges. All four winners will be featured in an exclusive Chicago Architecture Foundation tour this fall.

Earlier in the summer, the Naperville Park District submitted a brief profile of the Millennium Carillon along with a photo in the hopes that it would be entered into the contest.

“We were very excited to hear that the Millennium Carillon was voted by the public as the fan favorite,” explained Ray McGury, Executive Director of the Naperville Park District. “It’s such a unique community focal point, but we recognize that there were many other great places that we were competing against. We’re looking forward to being part of the Chicago Architecture tour and expanding the reach and notoriety of the Carillon.”

“The Millennium Carillon is an easily recognizable landmark in Naperville and is included in many photos depicting our town,” said Naperville Mayor A. George Pradel. “The Carillon is a well-known icon in Naperville and provides residents and visitors a unique amenity to enjoy!”

The Millennium Carillon was built through community support and donations and is operated and maintained through a partnership between the Naperville Park District, City of Naperville and Millennium Carillon Foundation.

John Colucci of the Millennium Carillon Foundation said, “To be in the company of so many wonderful experiences in the area is most gratifying and we are humbled by this honor. This world class instrument continues to enchant guests and attract guest artists from around the world and I encourage everyone to include a visit to the Millennium Carillon when in the Naperville area.”

Chuck Seidel of the foundation had this to add, “I am delighted that the Carillon is being recognized in this way – and not just in Naperville, but across the Chicagoland area.”

The Millennium Carillon in Moser Tower, built to commemorate the New Millennium, is a 16-story structure that houses a 72-bell instrument that is played by carillonneurs that are specially trained to play it. It’s located along the Riverwalk near Rotary Hill and individuals and groups can take tours that are offered spring through fall. Wedding ceremonies also are hosted at the base of the Carillon.

To learn more about the Millennium Carillon, visit www.napervilleparks.org or www.naperville-carillon.org. You also may follow the Millennium Carillon on Facebook.

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About the Naperville Park District: Created in 1966, the Naperville Park District is an independent, municipal agency serving the recreation needs of its residents. As a leader in providing leisure experiences that enhance the quality of life for the community, the District maintains and operates more than 2,500 acres with 130+ parks and facilities and provides more than 900 recreational, arts and environmental programs and special events annually. Included within the District’s operations are two championship golf courses, a multitude of courts and sports fields, two inline skating and skateboarding facilities, the Millennium Carillon, a paddle boat quarry, historic Centennial Beach, and the beautiful Riverwalk.