Above / Standing in the Farmer’s Plaza at Eagle Street, visitors overlook the Cliff Preston Tribute near the fishing pier at the Riverwalk Quarry. In the distance, the Jaycees Marina is a place to rent paddleboats and kayaks. Note also the Gregory Gazebo, Moser Tower with its 72-bell Millennium Carillon and Rotary Hill where sights, sounds and seasons leave lasting impressions.
Longtime residents likely remember when the community came together to celebrate the city’s sesquicentennial in 1981. As the almost-epic story goes, Naperville’s “Nifty 150” party was reported to have attracted tens of thousands of spectators to its parade when the city’s population was 42,000. The memorable parade was a reenactment of the 1831 arrival of Joseph Naper’s three-day Conestoga wagon trip from Chicago to the banks of the DuPage River. By 1832, it’s recorded that “Naper’s Settlement” had attracted 100 settlers.
While some groups proposed parties, talent shows and the parade to commemorate the city’s first 150 years, others planned the Riverwalk, a gift from then-citizens for future generations to come.
Back in 1993, with encouragement from my cousin, Candyce Krumwiede, our family of five arrived here when the road signs listed Naperville’s population at 89,000. During two house-hunting visits, we interviewed school principals. We also were attracted by the Riverwalk, Naper Settlement and North Central College, all located just steps from historic downtown Naperville.
Shortly after our arrival, we met Riverwalk devotee Cliff Preston at Grace United Methodist Church and he reeled in our support when the Riverwalk was planning to extend toward the Jefferson Avenue Bridge, then later from the Washington Street Bridge to Hillside Road. Preston became a great mentor, demonstrating selfless dedication to care for the winding path along the way.
Many of those generous and devoted Riverwalk donors are no longer with us. Many of their names and businesses are emblazoned on bricks and monuments that recognize their commitment to this community. During the past two years, under the leadership of John Cuff, members of the Riverwalk Foundation have been identifying those large donor plaques, mindful that the dedication of those same donors resonates in many other ways throughout the rich history that built this community. They were great givers of time, talents and treasures, as folks like to say.
Now nearly 40 years later, the Riverwalk continues to give its citizens and countless visitors a strong sense of the vibrant and caring community that settled here. Folks often quote the Kodak camera slogan to describe the Riverwalk as “the gift that keeps on giving.”
Throughout the year, dozens of charitable events are held along the Riverwalk, the perfect backdrop to showcase nonprofit needs for social services and the arts. Imagine the millions of nonprofit dollars that have been raised along our city’s natural treasure since 1981.
2021 Jaycees Last Fling returns, Sept. 3-6
The Jaycees Last Fling, a signature four-day family festival, returns on Labor Day Weekend, Sept. 3-6, complete with the Labor Day Parade. Both events were missed in 2020.
At 2PM Mon., Sept 6, Labor Day 2021, a very brief “rededication” of the Naperville Riverwalk is planned along the original path, between Main Street and Webster Street. Folks who gather simply will sing “Happy Birthday, dear Riverwalk!” as they kick off a “Cake and Ice Cream” celebration coordinated by the Downtown Naperville Alliance among several participating downtown Naperville treat shops. (Watch for complete details in early September.)
“As part of our mission to educate, we thought we’d kick off this 40th year by taking a few moments on Labor Day to recognize the generous contributors who stepped up to develop the Naperville Riverwalk in the first place—local business leaders, resident volunteers, Riverwalk Commissioners, private donors, City and Naperville Park District staff,” said John Cuff, President of the Riverwalk Foundation.
Cuff continued, “This past year, our foundation has been identifying major donor plaques, most of which will be spruced up during this milestone 40th year. We thought Labor Day would be a good time to express gratitude for the linear park that has provided so much joy to our city for 40 years, right in the heart of our downtown.”
Find 40 days of fun factoids by Labor Day, Sept. 6
Leading up to the Riverwalk Rededication, 40 days of fun factoids will be featured on social media. Beginning on July 29 and at least once a day through Sept. 6, Riverwalk reflections with photos, in no particular order, will help tell the story of the linear park, a private/public partnership, that attracts visitors every day to downtown Naperville, just steps from shopping, banking and dining.
Afterward, the Riverwalk Commission, now under the leadership of Chairman Pat Kennedy, aims to showcase the Naperville Riverwalk Masterplan, now featured on the City’s website. Future promotions intend to build enthusiasm, awareness and support for projects proposed for Naperville’s Bicentennial in 2031.
Certainly, most members of the community have a Riverwalk experience to share. Here’s a link to many memories that were shared during the 35th anniversary year.
Meanwhile, watch local media—print, televised and social—for opportunities to share Riverwalk Reflections with an attitude of gratitude for our city’s natural treasure every day of the year. Cheers!
—Stephanie Penick, PN Publisher
Follow 40 days of factoids on Positively Naperville Facebook.
Updated, Aug. 3, 2021 / Today, in partnership with the City, Park District, and local service clubs, we (Naperville Riverwalk Commission) kicked off a new marketing campaign to promote the use of the Riverwalk and to increase awareness of the Riverwalk 2031 Master Plan. The theme of the campaign is “Riverwalk Stories.”
