Naperville Riverwalk showcases city’s rich history

During a stroll of the Naperville Riverwalk on April 3, surprisingly few signs of spring showed along the city’s natural treasure on this chilly sunny morning. Still, the absence of flowering plants and budding foliage provided a clear and uplifting view of some of the city’s rich history nestled in the landscape. The story of how Naperville has developed since Captain Joe Naper, his brother and their families arrived on the banks of the DuPage in 1831 merits retelling again in a few photos taken along the winding paths of the linear park.

Ever since pioneer families first were attracted here, countless risk-takers and spirited volunteers have followed, building a thriving community with many seasonal traditions, brick by brick.

This morning’s walk provided many opportunities to reflect upon the dedication of thousands and thousands of citizens who have pitched their innovative ideas, often serving on boards early in the morning before heading to work and then after business hours late into the evening.

Meetings. Meetings. Meetings!

Local residents meet, greet, plan, study and educate each other, always trying to improve the quality of life that attracted them to this active community in the first place.

For instance, earlier this week we received an e-mail from Sue Maloney who handles publicity for the Naperville Newcomers and Neighbors Club. Every month Maloney sends a chatty, upbeat message about the club and its upcoming events in this 182-year-old city.

“We had our April coffee today and it was great!” wrote Maloney, noting they had welcomed women from Cincinnati, Estonia, Ireland, and Korea by way of Singapore as well as a returning gentleman from Mongolia.

“Love all the different countries!” she wrote. “Everyone was very enthusiastic and signed up for a variety of activities. We’re now at 372 members with a couple of months to go before the end our season. Not bad!”

Maloney also noted the newcomers group is planning its annual  book sale on April 21 at The Barn on Martin Ave., and will be awarding their scholarships to two high school seniors in May at Meson Sabika. Those events will be featured on PN’s calendar of events soon.

Around 15 years ago when ideas for a bell tower were first pitched, hundreds of folks came together with a vision to create a large musical instrument that would stand for the future, a symbol for the new millennium that later was named Moser Tower in memory of Margaret and Harold Moser.  We recall the evening when thousands of residents descended on Rotary Hill to hear the bells ring for the first time in concert with the Naperville Municipal Band and the Naperville Men’s Glee Club.

That’s when we hoped that some of our personal objections to its size as well as the controversy regarding its big expense that kept growing would be followed with acceptance over time.  In our dream, we imagined that the Moser Tower at Rotary Hill would become a place to create awareness for charitable causes. And just this week, thanks to the Naperville Park District, new blue lights illuminated the tower at night to shine for autism, an international initiative promoted by Autism Speaks and Tuesday’s rally at Turning Pointe.

The Riverwalk, built to commemorate the city’s sesquecentennial in 1981, provides winding brick paths for brisk walks and daily constitutionals for hundreds of residents. Visitors meander the paths, too. We often observe visitors pausing to remark to each other about the Dick Tracy Century Walk sculpture, Exchange Club Veterans Plaza, the Moser covered bridges, Fredenhagen Park or commemorative bricks and benches.

The full bloom of spring is arriving later than normal this year in Naperville.  Yet, upon reflection, its delay provides a chance to look at the strong structure of this nationally-recognized Tree City and to be mindful of its striking emphasis on open spaces, parks and cultural amenities that have withstood uncertain times.

Thanks for reading. Thanks for visiting the Riverwalk and for staying later to discover all that’s new and traditional in downtown Naperville.

North Central College is now connected to the Riverwalk, too. That’s where you’ll find several art galleries as well as stages for live theater, speakers, music, book events and other performing arts, just a block or two from downtown Naperville.

And if you want to learn more about the city’s endearing history, its challenges and its dedication to education , stop by Naper Settlement, now open for the summer season. The outdoor history museum is just a block south of the Riverwalk with an entrance in the PreEmption House, located at Webster St. and Aurora Ave.  The Weed Ladies Annual Spring Floral Sale runs Thurs., April 4 through Sun., April 5, in the historic Daniels House. Admission to the sale is free.

Finally, regarding those meetings mentioned earlier in this post…if you’re looking for meeting spaces, contact the Naperville Convention and Visitors Bureau.

One more thing… Don’t feed the ducks and geese harmful bread and other human snack foods.  Help waterfowl find insects and plants naturally in the environment, not only for their good health but so they don’t make such a mess of the low flow walkway where folks want to stroll with their children. Messages stamped in the Riverwalk concrete path read “Do not feed wildlife!” Ducks and geese are wildlife.