Above / From mid-May through October, weather permitting, the Paddleboat Quarry along the Naperville Riverwalk offers recreational activities with rentals of paddleboats, paddleboards and kajaks. (PN Photo, March 18, 2018)
UPDATE, Riverwalk eNews, March 23, 2018 / Work to conduct in-depth testing on Moser Tower is slated to begin the week of March 26, pending weather or unforeseen circumstances.
As part of the ongoing assessment of Moser Tower, the information gathered during this testing process will provide greater insight into the current condition of the tower. Four companies will be on-site to gather materials and information.
Scaffolding and fencing will be present around Moser Tower starting the week of March 26 for approximately 10 to 14 days. The Riverwalk path will remain open; however, the Millennium Carillon autoplay will be interrupted throughout the evaluation and testing process.
Test results will be included in the report that consultant Engineering Resources Associates is anticipated to complete by mid-summer. The report will provide potential solutions, life expectancy of those solutions and cost estimates to address Moser Tower’s deterioration. The Riverwalk Commission will use this report to help form a recommendation to the City Council regarding Moser Tower later this year.
Questions? Contact Riverwalk Administrator Jan Erickson at (630) 305-5984.
Original Post, March 19, 2018 / Visit the Physicians and Dentists Shelter, just south of the Farmers Monument along Eagle Street, for a chance to pause and reflect about Naperville’s natural treasure. Be mindful of the generosity that has followed the Naperville Riverwalk since the first bricks were installed by volunteers to commemorate the City’s sesquicentennial in 1981.
Standing in that one quiet spot presents the view (as featured above) of Rotary Hill, the Gregory Gazebo, Moser Tower with the 72-bell Millennium Carillon, Jaycees Marina, a covered bridge to Centennial Beach and the Nalco Shelter as the Riverwalk winds around the quarry toward the Cliff Preston Tribute and the Farmers Plaza.
Several years before the old limestone quarry became a hub for recreation along the Riverwalk in the mid-1980s, the original phase of the brick path was set into place along Jackson Avenue between Eagle and Main streets with a covered bridge at Webster Street leading to Water Street.
Then when the Riverwalk extended west across Eagle Street, a second covered bridge connected Centennial Beach and the new Rotary Hill.
Sampling of Naperville Riverwalk Reflections
The following thoughts were collected to commemorate the first 35 years of the Riverwalk, reflecting the pride and joy of thousands of residents that have contributed to the design and development of the winding brick path since the attractive linear park was first was imagined back in the late 1970s.
“When I first considered to move to Naperville, my new employer immediately took me to the Riverwalk to show me around. He was as proud as a new parent and for good reasons… it’s just beautiful and full of energy.”
—Geoff Roehll
“To me the Riverwalk is Everything! It’s a place of every season, every reason, everyone, every angle and every time of day and every year. It’s for walking, resting, eating, photos, sightseeing with company, playing with grandkids, greeting friends, music and arts shows. How lucky are we to have it for everything!”
—Jo Lundeen
“I enjoy looking at the river, wildlife, trees and plantings that together bring me a sense of emotional peace. Additional people enjoying the area, and the Carillon ringing, further enhance the Riverwalk’s beauty for me.
—Dick Galitz
35 Years Young
Community Built.
The crown jewel develops
a lush patina.
Watch water surging
Find sun drenched benches. Making
Memories each time.
Awakening the senses.
Music, bells, ducks and laughter
skim frozen quarries.
Brick pathways adjoin
people and commerce. Vibrant
heart of Naperville.
—Karen Solomon
I have a lifetime of great memories of the time that we lived, worked, played and raised our family in Naperville. Thanks for being part of those memories while we worked together on the Riverwalk Commission.
—Bill Epp
On New Year’s Day 1993, I visited Naperville and the Riverwalk with my cousin, Candyce Krumwiede, for the first time. While she shared the city’s sesquicentennial story, downtown’s grand illumination began to glisten. That instant, I caught the spirit of Naperville.
—Stephanie Penick
We have so many memories, but the best was when our son chose the Riverwalk to propose to our lovely daughter-in-law. Now, as a result, we continue making new memories with our two granddaughters!
—Mary Ann and Paul Junkroski
I sit on a bench along the south end of
the Riverwalk at lunchtime.
Eyes closed, ears open
Listening to the river flow
Imagining what this spot must have
been like hundreds of years ago.
—Bob Ross
For me, every Riverwalk visit is also a walk down memory lane. The Riverwalk was the backdrop to many happy summer walks with my family. I’m glad the same is true for families across Naperville.
—Jeanne M. Buddingh
We moved to Naperville in 1983. We have Riverwalk memories of REACH duck races, walks with family and friends, prom photos, paddle boat and sled hill rides, carillon concerts and Veterans Day tributes. It is Naperville’s crown jewel!
—Ron & Marcia Schild
Envisioned as a heartfelt and homegrown tribute to 150 remarkable years, the Riverwalk became and remains the iconic recreational, environmental and cultural centerpiece of Naperville, a powerful catalyst for it’s extraordinary.
—Rick Hitchcock
The RIVERWALK is Naperville. Vision, Volunteers and Volunteers and Value / Ideas, Innovation and Initiative / Generous, Giving and Genuine. These are the words made into reality in the creation of our beloved Riverwalk. Together, the SPIRIT of NAPERVILLE lives.
—John Harvard
I grew up in Downers Grove and married (Sally) into Naperville. One thing that has always impressed me is the generosity in time, labor, money and leadership that Naperville citizens show. Naperville (illians) don’t sit around talking, waiting for others to do it. I truly believe that’s why Naperville consistently has been ranked one of the best city’s in which to live and raise a family.
—John Cuff
Above / Ed Channell (far right next to Rita Harvard) and Glen Ekey (between Gene Drendel and Peg Price) were chairmen of the Riverwalk 2000 campaign, launched in 1996 to extend the brick path from Washington to Hillside. This photo was taken at the groundbreaking for Rotary Plaza near Fredenhagen Park. (Riverwalk Photo, 1996)
One of my proudest moments came when Rita Harvard asked me to chair the fundraising campaign for Fredenhagen Park. As she laid out her plan, I raised my hand and said, “Rita, I’m still tired from the Riverwalk 2000 fundraiser. Whenever I walk down the street, friends approaching me clutch their wallets or change sides.”
—Ed Channell
“Beautiful, natural, calm, peaceful, enticing, family friendly. The Naperville Riverwalk, our community.”
—Leah Krauskopf
The Naperville Riverwalk gives me peace to think about and understand things, thus leaving me with a clear mind and the inspiration to tackle challenges which lay ahead, I enjoy my time on the Riverwalk.
—Rajveer Sokhey
“The Naperville Riverwalk is a little slice of heaven, of nature right in the middle of a busy business district. I love escaping for a walk, especially in the middle of winter!”
—Kandice Henning
Ducks. Senior Pictures. Holding hands. Dance Pictures. Labyrinth. Fall colors. Nature. Peaceful. Family Walks. Tranquility. Laughing. Family time. Friends. Fish. Flooding. Santa’s workshop. Picnic. Library Storytime. Sculptures. Puddle jumping. Expansion. Music. First Dates. Escape. Glistening Sun. Art Fair. Hot Dog Man. Water play. Wishing fountain. New Cafe. Paddle Boats. Relaxation. Calming. Exercise.
—John, Erika and Lauren Wood
What are your Riverwalk memories in 35-40 words? Please send to Stephanie@positivelynaperville.com and place “Riverwalk Memory” in the subject line. Thanks a bunch!
RELATED POSTS & PHOTOS YOU MIGHT ENJOY / RIVERWALK
Thanks to all for the memories!
Three more things about future plans on the Riverwalk…
Post updated March 20, 2018 / Currently three initiatives are under assessment and review as proposed by the Riverwalk Commission.
Ongoing assessment for Moser Tower / Scaffolding going up
According the City of Naperville website, in the fall 2017, “the Riverwalk Commission sought additional testing and evaluation on the structure to gain more in-depth information. Engineering Resource Associates (ERA) submitted a proposal to the Riverwalk Commission at the end of 2017 to further assess the structural condition of Moser Tower.”
Click here for information about the Moser Tower Assessment presented in April 2017.
During the Riverwalk Commission meeting in March 14, 2018, Riverwalk Commissioners were updated with the schedule and plans. Beginning March 26, 2018, weather permitting, when the temperature is expected to remain above 40 degrees, scaffolding will go up around Moser Tower to permit ERA and other engineers to utilize both destructive and non-destructive testing to further assess and determine the root cause of the structure’s deterioration in recent years.
The information gathered will help develop solutions to address the issues. The solutions will also include a life expectancy estimate so the Commission and City staff will know how long the restoration is expected to last.
ERA’s assessment report, including cost estimates, is anticipated to be completed by mid-summer 2018.
Plans for Naperville Jaycees Park on the Riverwalk
During the 2017 State of the City Address one year ago, Mayor Steve Chirico noted that Scott Palmer, a local entrepreneur, had mentioned the need for some type of outdoor work space in Naperville. This independent work environment and easy access to WiFi is important to Millennials today, Mayor Chirico explained.
“So Nicki Anderson, Christine Jeffries, Doug Krieger and myself started talking about how this concept might become reality. This led to the idea of a creating an outdoor internet office park on open space located next to the Municipal Center,” said Chirico. “The space would provide WiFi, power outlets, shade and seating for users. We’re still in the dream stage, and we’re continuing to work on this, but sometimes it helps when you can see your dreams coming to life before your eyes.”
At the 2017 State of the City, Chirico also recognized Geoff Roehll and Dan Kim of Hitchcock Design Group for beginning the design of the outdoor space.
“This is a great example of how the community can come together to take an idea from concept towards completion. I believe it could follow in the footsteps of one of our City’s greatest achievements — the creation of our famous Riverwalk,” said the Mayor at last year’s State of the City.
Fast forward one year.
“The Naperville Jaycee’s Park I announced from this stage one year ago is becoming reality,” said Chirico during the 2018 State of the City on March 19.
“This outdoor work space will offer WiFi, charging ports and a comfortable working environment. It’s all thanks to half a million dollars in generous donations from private parties and the Naperville Jaycees,” said Chirico as he updated the audience.
“We’re in the process of moving plans through commissions and to the City Council for final approval. The goal is to break ground soon. The Naperville Jaycee’s Park will be very visible,” added the Mayor.
Proposed Rotary Harmony Park
During the recent March meeting of the Riverwalk Commission, commissioners recommended approving the addition of Rotary Harmony Park to the Naperville Riverwalk in a space up at the top of Rotary Hill, overlooking the Paddleboat Quarry to the east and Moser Tower to the west.
Current plans call for the Rotary Club of Naperville to fund four large outdoor percussion instruments — contrabrass chimes, xylophones, metallophone and swirl chimes. The service club also will pay for installation and landscape redevelopment near Aurora Avenue where stone markers designate Rotary Plaza and Rotary Hill, two other amenities funded privately back in the mid-1980s by the Rotary Club of Naperville.
If approved by the City Council and the Park District Board of Commissioners, the Naperville Park District will be responsible for maintaining Harmony Park, and the City will reimburse the park district for yet-to-be-determined maintenance costs.
One more favorite photo from the top of Rotary Hill…
