When many local residents reminisce, they say they were first attracted to this thriving community by the ever-changing beauty along the Naperville Riverwalk in the heart of town.
Beginning earlier in 2016 and until next summer, folks involved with the Riverwalk Foundation and Riverwalk Commission are celebrating the 35th birthday of the dedication of the Riverwalk as well as the can-do spirit of thousands of volunteers that have contributed to its success beginning with the city’s sesquicentennial centennial. Since 1981, the natural treasure has grown brick by brick, feature by feature, into a linear park from the Jefferson Avenue Bridge to Hillside Road Bridge with nearly four miles of winding paths and Fredenhagen Park along the DuPage River.
The date, Sept. 7, 1981, is etched in stone as well as the memories of thousands of longtime residents who share pride and joy in contributing to the development of the priceless amenity and how it revitalized the area, enhancing the popular shopping and dining destination in downtown Naperville.
The Water Street Parking Facility at Webster Street just steps from the Riverwalk will open to motorists at noon on Fri., Nov. 4, offering 400 new, free parking spaces in Naperville’s downtown for public use. (Note that some limitations will exist until the entire development is completed by spring 2017.)
Enjoy all the seasonal changes!
Above / The Civic Plaza with the Dandelion Fountain, designed by Charles Vincent (Chuck) George, is one of the most popular gathering places along the Riverwalk. Soon the spot will reflect holiday cheer with a large illuminated evergreen in the spot where the Dandelion Fountain flows spring, summer and fall. A large menorah will be set to tell the story of the Festival of Lights for Hanukkah. A Nativity scene also will be aglow for the Christmas season. And the Santa House will open Dec. 2, 2016. nearby in the pavilion at Webster and Jackson. (PN Photo October 8, 2016)
PHOTO GALLERY / A small sampling of the Riverwalk on Nov. 3 the day after the historic Cubs win of the World Series, teeming with fog early in the morning and awakening to sunshine by noon. Photos of now-open parking deck added on Nov. 4, 2016. Click any photo to enlarge.
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Write a 35-word Riverwalk memory!
To celebrate the city’s natural treasure, Riverwalk Foundation members welcome 35-word memories and thoughtful reflections about any Riverwalk experience.
Until Sept. 2017, 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.) The emphasis is on brief.
Please send thoughts and reflections before December 31, 2016, to stephanie@positivelynaperville.com. Simply place “Riverwalk Memory” in the subject line. Thanks!
For starters… a sampling of Riverwalk Reflections
Volunteerism, complimenting, organic, community, sturdy, welcoming, flowering, economic, ageless, impactful, proud, green, dynamic, identifiable, family, sound, forward moving, open, working, festive, multi-cultural, cooperative, gathering, historic, growing, comfortable, intertwined, respectful, flow, binding, natural, rooted, scenic, evolving.
—Jeff Havel
Happy family time
Walks holding little hands
Noontime picnics and singing songs
The “Running Place”
Sunday morning bike rides to the Riverwalk, eating Tasty Bakery donuts
Elation, empowerment, achievement: To participate and finish triathlons
Giving back to my community
Family legacy
Quiet reflections
So blessed
—Jan Erickson
(Photo Courtesy Jan Erickson) Bruce Erickson with daughter Betsy sat on the edge of the early Riverwalk, circa 1984.
Above / This shelter along the Riverwalk on Eagle Street and others were designed by Chuck George, the first Riverwalk architect. (Note the memory below.)
Ned Becker called saying the City received the remains of the old steel supports from the Burlington passenger weather platforms that were replaced and rusting away in the city’s boneyard. He asked if I thought they could be recycled for some other use. Long story short, those steel supports now are the supporting columns for rain shelters and benches along phases 2 and 3 of Riverwalk.
—Chuck George
My husband’s company moved us to this area 36 years ago. I remember walking along the river and liking the natural feel of the place. When stories of a “Riverwalk” were circulating, I thought, “Oh no, it will be too commercial.” When the work started, I heard of “old time Napervillians” volunteering their time, doing whatever needed to be done. Whole families building their dream. And what a dream they had. Beautiful.
“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
Eyes closed, ears open
I sit on a bench along the south end of the Riverwalk at lunchtime.
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
Above / In the shadow of the iconic shepherd’s crook lamp, the granite marker dedicated on Sept. 7, 1981, recognizes the first contributors on the Riverwalk between Main and Webster streets.
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 cities 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 of local Rotarians was taken at the groundbreaking for Rotary Plaza near the Cock Robin property, now 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 approximately 35 words? Please send to Stephanie@positivelynaperville.com and place “Riverwalk Memory” in the subject line. Thanks a bunch!
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Editor’s Note / In collaboration with the City of Naperville, the Naperville Park District and private citizens, the function of the Riverwalk Commission is to promote, encourage and guide the development and use of the Riverwalk, a beautiful, linear park located in downtown Naperville along the DuPage River. The Riverwalk is just steps from shopping and dining, Nichols Library, North Central College and Naper Settlement.
This page will be updated as new reflections are submitted. Thank you for your thoughts. Last updated on Nov. 3, 2016.
