During a brisk walk along the Riverwalk any season of the year, every visitor is welcome to pause here and there to observe the wildlife, commemorative bricks and story-telling landmarks as the winding brick path follows the DuPage River. Whether shining under glorious blue skies or brightening up an overcast mid-winter day, the Riverwalk is appreciated with pride and joy.
Longtime residents have memories of its early development from Main Street along Jackson Avenue, when the first stage was dedicated on Sept. 7, 1981, recognizing faithful volunteers who built it, brick by brick.
Then just beyond to Eagle Street, the Landforms sculpture by artist Jack Arnold attracts attention. And every few steps provides a reminder of the generosity, volunteers and contributors that embraced the idea to design and build a linear park to commemorate Naperville’s first 150 years.
The brilliant Landforms sculpture was a gift from the Naperville Art League in 1984. Four years later the Farmers Plaza at Eagle Street was built to begin extending westward around the quarry. Today, that location includes a tribute to late Riverwalk Commissioner Cliff Preston who always will be credited as the longest-serving member of the Commission, appointed to serve before term limits.
Many citizens’ gifts in partnership with the City of Naperville and now the Naperville Park District continue to represent can-do spirit from the Jefferson Avenue Bridge to the Hillside Road Bridge.
Residents sometimes say the Riverwalk is the gift that keeps on giving, serving as the backdrop for hundreds of activities, including family reunions, art fairs and concerts at Rotary Hill. And since 2000, Moser Tower with its 72-bell carillon has chimed for hours and often is illuminated for holidays, including occasional fields of American flags for Veterans Day.
Throughout the year, this natural treasure has become the centerpiece for myriad annual fundraisers such as the Naperville Jaycees’ four-day Last Fling and Naperville Responds for Veterans Salute. Dozens of charity events and walks help heighten heartfelt awareness about the unmet needs for many worthwhile causes and social services in this caring community.
Individuals might think that the iconic Landforms sculpture stands appropriately along the Riverwalk to represent the community’s big heart at Jackson and Eagle streets.
Moving right along…
In 2022, a $900,000 grant was requested in support of the Riverwalk Eagle Street Gateway and Accessibility Improvements as proposed in the Riverwalk 2031 Master Plan. As proposed by the Riverwalk Commission, the Eagle Street Gateway will enhance the north bank of the DuPage River between the Eagle Street Bridge and the overlook.
According to the funding request to the Appropriations Committee by Congressman Bill Foster of the 11th District, “The funding will be for new Eagle Street Gateway to correct major circulation deficiencies, and barriers for people with mobility challenges, while becoming a dramatic new Riverwalk attraction that retains its iconic sculpture, exemplifying the master planned connectivity, capacity, hospitality, economic development, and appearance objectives.”
The City of Naperville will pay for the difference between the federal grant and the $3,516,001.27 awarded recently to Baumgartner Construction of Naperville, according to Bill Novack, Director of Transportation, Engineering and Development (TED), who also serves on the Riverwalk Commission.
“We just scheduled a preconstruction meeting with Baumgartner for mid-February,” noted Novack in late January. “They informed us that they intend to start on the project in the middle of March. Included in the contract is for them to clean up, repair all surface deteriorations and repaint the Landforms sculpture so it will be looking great once the project is completed.”
The gateway project is part of the City’s Riverwalk 2031 Master Plan. The plan includes various capital projects along the winding path such as the recently planted Prairie Nature Garden enhancement designed by the Naperville Park District and funded by the Riverwalk Foundation. Other projects include the extension of the Riverwalk from Hillside Road to Martin Avenue. Find renderings of the plan on the City’s website, Naperville.il.us under “Riverwalk Master Plan 2031.”
As plans are designed and funding is requested, always be mindful of the future costs for care, maintenance and public safety of our natural treasure in the heart of downtown Naperville.
—PN
(Kindly note: Stephanie Penick is a founding member of the Riverwalk Foundation, established at the request of the City in 1997. She served on the Riverwalk Commission from 2014 to 2019 with a strong passion for care, maintenance and safety of the landmark park. Today she’s also concerned about safe sidewalks throughout the City.)
