Perennials, rose shrubs, ornamental grasses and a boxwood hedge meld together in the morning sunlight, radiating the spirit of the late Kenneth Nolan.

The Kenneth Nolan Memorial Garden was officially unveiled last weekend at the Clarendon Hills Park District’s Lions Park Pool. More than 100 people gathered to remember the former resident who set the tone for how to give back.

Nolan, 62, died of a heart attack in April 2005.

Dan Gluck, a 2008 graduate of Benet Academy, developed the garden for his Eagle Scout project, raising the necessary funds and working with the Park District and landscapers to bring the dream to life.

“This project was an act of community service honoring someone who exemplified that spirit of community service,” Gluck said. “That’s why I’m so proud of this.”

Gluck said when he was collecting donations, he received calls from as far as Arizona. But when more than 100 people came to the dedication June 28, it really struck him how much of an impact Nolan had made on the Clarendon Hills community.

Don Scheltens, the executive director of the Clarendon Hills Park District, said they decided to put the garden by the pool because it was a place everyone could relate to with Nolan.

“It shows the honor and respect for a man who dedicated himself for many years, and it’s a tribute for what he’s done for a lot of different committees,” Scheltens said. “We thought it was fitting for him to have it at the pool because people go there every summer and he was a big part of that.”

Scheltens led last weekend’s ceremony, introducing six speakers who shared stories of Nolan before the memorial plaque was dedicated. 

Barbara Nolan, who remembers her husband for his charm and congeniality, said she was surprised by how many people attended the dedication.

“I sent a few announcements just because I’m so proud of this, what an honor, and here they showed up — I was shocked,” she said. “For Dan to do this and the community to come out and celebrate, it’s fabulous. We’re just thrilled.”

Barbara Nolan said her husband always said what a privilege it was to live in Clarendon Hills, and he just wanted to get involved any way he could. The pool, she said, was his favorite place and with the plaque and garden now there to remember him, she is looking forward to going there often to visit with Ken in spirit.