Above / The Riverwalk Foundation is thrilled to note memories are arriving by land and Internet to help celebrate the 35th year of the community’s natural treasure. The flip side of this letter from Julie Harris reads, “It’s surrounded by Centennial Beach, historic Naperville buildings & park district. It’s great for families to hike & walk the trails, a great place to visit in Naperville. Also, there are fish. And ducks wade in the water.”
In addition to hosting the Riverwalk Duck Race on Tues., August 16, 2016, the Riverwalk Foundation is collecting memories that connect the community to the natural treasure in the heart of downtown.
A granite marker along the first phase of the Riverwalk denotes that the dedication of the linear park was Sept. 7, 1981, and to recognize that generous spirit of volunteerism and innovation, foundation members welcome 35-word memories and thoughtful reflections about any Riverwalk experience.
For the next few months, the memorable reflections will be posted with stories about the Riverwalk’s first 35 years.
It’s OK to miss the 35-word target by a few words. But try and try again to hit the mark. (One-letter and two-letter words don’t count.) Please send them before Sept. 17, 2016, to stephanie@positivelynaperville.com. Simply place “Riverwalk Memory” in the subject line. Thanks!
For starters… a sampling of Riverwalk Reflections received by Aug. 1, 2016
“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.
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
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
“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
What are your Riverwalk memories in 35 words? Please send to Stephanie@positivelynaperville.com and place “Riverwalk Memory” in the subject line. Thanks a bunch!
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One more thing…
In late July the Alive Center held an art contest to help celebrate the 35th anniversary of the Naperville Riverwalk. Teens could enter paintings, drawings, sculptures, collages—anything that shows the beauty of the Riverwalk or the fun of the annual Duck Race.
Stay tuned as the Alive Center judges the pieces on their creativity, artistic quality, and the connection to the Riverwalk and the Duck Race. Awards will be presented for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd prize for high school teens and a separate 1st, 2nd, and 3rd prize for middle school students.
In addition, the Alive Center is assisting the Riverwalk Foundation by soliciting memories from teens who drop by for its programs.
Alive Center is located at 500 W. Fifth Avenue, just west of Mill Street.
