Put the pieces together to connect community awareness in April
Last month we painted the town green as you’ll note when you turn to our centerfold. This month, our windows are glowing brilliantly blue to highlight Autism Awareness.
And again we’re turning our focus on the hyperlocal connections that inspire these pages every month, taking a look at the bright side of a municipality that strives to meet the needs of a blessed and generous community.
We are forever grateful to our sponsoring advertisers and contributing columnists who provide our opportunity to bring their local enterprises and personal perspectives to our readers.
We’re also remembering how this community gathers behind the challenges that unite us to make things happen.
Consider the antique plow that’s featured atop the monument in the Farmers Plaza on the Riverwalk at Eagle Street. Did you know that the late Cliff Preston took it upon himself personally to sand and varnish the farming implement every winter so it would glisten in the sunshine for visitors who stop at the monument that recognizes our city’s farm families?
Faithful Preston served on the Riverwalk Commission for more than 16 years, a decade of which was spent as chairman until he retired in 2003. For years, he was known to walk the winding brick path every week, if not every day, to keep tabs on its care.
His can-do spirit to benefit the Riverwalk is remembered along with thousands of local volunteers, innovative individuals and risk-takers that have built this city of attractions with deep roots such as North Central College, Centennial Beach, Kroehler Y, Naper Settlement, and DuPage Children’s Museum, to name a few.
If you’ve visited the Farmers Plaza recently, you’ve observed its over-growth has been cleared, thanks to Riverwalk Operations Manager Chuck Papanos and the Naperville Park District. After nearly 30 years, the popular site just above the fishing pier that overlooks the Paddleboat Quarry with the Jaycees Marina will have new landscaping before Memorial Day.
The Riverwalk Foundation, a private all-volunteer nonprofit organization, is funding the restoration that will include a “Tribute to Cliff Preston” for his 35-years-plus of dedication to the design and development of the linear park in the heart of Naperville. With input from the Preston family, Papanos and foundation member Jeff Havel have been coordinating the project.
During the recent State of the City Address, Mayor Steve Chirico pitched an imaginative idea to create an outdoor internet office park with WiFi alongside the Municipal Center, just steps from the Riverwalk.
“This is a great example of how the community can come together to take an idea from concept toward 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.
“35 years ago volunteers gave their time and talents to create this community treasure. A very happy 35th anniversary to the Naperville Riverwalk and thank you to everyone in this room — and I know there are many — who have played a part in its story.”
As PN looks forward, we turn our thoughts toward Autism Awareness Month, mindful of recent history when locations along the Riverwalk served both the Turning Pointe Autism Foundation and Little Friends, Inc., as welcoming spots for their outdoor fundraising events to heighten understanding of Autism Spectrum Disorder.
And for several years, Moser Tower with its 72-bell carillon at Rotary Hill has been illuminated with blue lights to ring out awareness in April.
Thanks for making the connections. Celebrate individuality. No foolin’!
PHOTO GALLERY features photos of the Farmers Plaza, Eagle Street at the Riverwalk, on April 1, 2017. Visit the Riverwalk and watch what happens to this view by night all during Autism Awareness month in April.
[shareprints gallery_id=”71659″ gallery_type=”squares” gallery_position=”pos_center” gallery_width=”width_100″ image_size=”small” image_padding=”0″ theme=”dark” image_hover=”false” lightbox_type=”slide” titles=”true” captions=”true” descriptions=”true” comments=”true” sharing=”true”]FYI: The annual State of City Address has been hosted by the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce since the first one in 1983. This year’s luncheon was held at Embassy Suites. For the complete text of the Mayor’s address, click here.
