GLEN ELLYN – When the piece of land called Spalding Point was first donated to the Glen Ellyn Park District by Roy Spalding in 1925, he had one stipulation: that the land always be used as park space.

The point has since been sold to Glenbard District 87, and with a recent donation to the district, Spalding’s legacy will live on, as the point will soon be home to new native landscaping, as well as a war memorial.

“When we’re done, aesthetically it will just add to the beauty of everyone who passes by there every day,” said Ron Aubrey, leader of the Spalding Point project.

The Glenbard District 87 Board of Education voted to accept a $95,000 anonymous donation on Monday, paving the way for the project to begin.

Aubrey, a Glenbard West parent and former Glen Ellyn Park District commissioner, previously led the landscaping project at nearby Memorial Field through the Make a Memory Foundation, a non-profit he started with his wife, Mary Ann.

After native plants were added to the entrance of Memorial Field, Aubrey set his sights on Spalding Point, which is located just to the west of the field along Crescent Boulevard, in hopes of making the landscaping in the area look consistent.

Given the success of the Memorial Field project, Aubrey thought, “Why not do the same for Spalding?” he said.

The new Heroes of Freedom Memorial at Spalding Point will be a way to honor Glen Ellyn residents who have served in every war since the area was settled, as well as those who supported the troops through efforts on the home front, Aubrey said.

Spalding Point has a long history of remembering those who have served in the military. For several years, the point was the location of the village’s Memorial Day festivities, he said.

In addition to the installation of a new memorial, the project also includes marking four trees that were planted at the point in honor of four Glenbard West alumni who died while serving in the Vietnam War.

Through the Spalding Point project, Glenbard West Principal Jane Thorsen said she hopes current students’ use of the area will increase.

Right now, picnic tables at Spalding Point are used by West students during their lunch periods, and the school’s ultimate frisbee team practices on a flat, grassy area.

Following the improvements, Thorsen expects more students will want to eat lunch in the area, and the point will be used more often by sports teams and physical education classes. Spectators may choose to watch sports games from Spalding Point as well, she said.

“It’s a good thing for Glenbard West and also a good thing for the entire community,” Thorsen said. “These partnerships really benefit everyone.”

In general, the improvements should make the area a relaxing, attractive place for both students and community members to spend their time, Aubrey said.

Now that the board has accepted the anonymous donation, the project is ready to move forward. However, the landscaping designed by Glen Ellyn resident Tina Koral will likely not be planted until fall, due to the dry, hot weather associated with summer, said Aubrey, who will continue to lead the project.

Through the Spalding Point improvements, he said he hopes to inspire other people to explore the use of native landscaping in their own yards, educate young people about the importance of the environment and honor Glen Ellyn war heroes.

Aubrey also said he’s excited to be part of an effort to continue Spalding’s vision from nearly 90 years ago of preserving the point as an open green space for the Glen Ellyn community.

“I’m just thrilled,” he said. “How cool is that?”