The Forest Preserve District of Kane County invites the public to join community leaders, staff members, and volunteers to celebrate the grand reopening of Oakhurst Forest Preserve at 11:30 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 26, at the preserve, 1680 Fifth Avenue in Aurora.
The ceremony will honor late Officer Harold H. Carter, Jr. who was a police officer for the Forest Preserve District for 11 years until his retirement in 2018. Earlier he was an officer for the Aurora Police Department for 26 years.
Carter passed away at the age of 71, in January 2020. A district statement said, “He was an officer, a veteran, a bagpiper, a husband and father, and an all-around terrific guy. We look forward to naming the new picnic shelter at Oakhurst, in his memory. Please join us for this special event.
The District plans to name the new picnic shelter in his memory.
“We wanted to find a way to officially remember Harold, and thought a brand new Forest Preserve District picnic shelter, within Aurora — the city he served for many years — would be a fitting tribute,” said Forest Preserve executive director Monica Meyers. “Harold always had a big smile for everyone he met, and he had a huge heart. Our staff misses him every day,” she said.
The Aurora Police Department Pipes and Drums will play at the ceremony. Carter was a bagpiper with the group, and played bagpipes at various Forest Preserve District grand openings. Fr. Jerome Leake, head chaplain with the Aurora Police Department will offer a benediction. Forest Preserve Sergeant William Glisson will provide remarks about his longtime friend and coworker.
Immediately following the grand reopening ceremony and ribbon-cutting, the District’s “Harvest of the Acorn Moon” Fall festival takes place, from noon to 3 p.m. The Fall festival includes pumpkin painting, mule-drawn wagon rides, outdoor games, nature crafts, folk music and refreshments. Admission is free.
There is a nominal charge for wagon rides, crafts, and refreshments.
For more information, see www.kaneforest.com. Oakhurst Forest Preserve is located at 1680 Fifth Ave., Aurora.
— Forest Preserve District of Kane County