Sindt Woods is located at the west end of the Riverwalk, just steps from the Jefferson Avenue Bridge. Venture along the path that surrounds the pond for the likely sight of a turtle or two or more resting on a fallen log. (PN Photo, 4-18-25)
Throughout the years, while listening to mostly silent sounds of nature, PN has captured sights of deer, beavers, turtles, frogs, toads, coyotes, great blue herons, egrets as well as other birds native to Illinois in this peaceful setting.
Enjoy the peaceful west extension
On Easter weekend, a walk along Riverwalk where the Shoreline Stabilization Project is in the works showed many signs of progress as well as turtles, ducks, geese, a heron and an egret. Spring flowers, mostly blue, included periwinkles, scilla, bluebells and daffodils.
Every spring day, the Riverwalk changes as seasonal wildflowers bloom and a variety of wildlife makes an appearance in the natural setting.
Shoreline Stabilization Project Resumed on April 14
Naperville Park District resumed the Riverwalk Shoreline Stabilization Project on April 14, 2025. The project, which began in late 2024, will stabilize the eroding shoreline along the west end of the Riverwalk between Jefferson Avenue and the Jaycees playground.
Invasive and declining trees and shrubs were removed in winter 2024 followed by the installation of stone breaks to deflect water from hitting the shoreline. During this phase, the rest of the shoreline will be stabilized with stone breaks and native plantings.
Please note that sections of the Riverwalk may be temporarily closed due to project maintenance activities happening during the next few months.
Walk or run the distance of Naperville’s natural treasure every season right in the heart of the City from the Jefferson Avenue Bridge to the Hillside Road Bridge. Find plenty to experience all along the way. And among the commemorative bricks along the extension, look for one given to the Riverwalk 2000 Fundraising Campaign that recognizes two Mallard ducks back 25 years ago.
You’ll also find downtown Naperville just past the Riverwalk Covered Bridge at Webster Street.
Enjoy the great outdoors!
What’s in a name?
Sindt Woods is named to honor Jane Sindt, a passionate preservationist, activist and actor who arrived in Naperville as an adult in 1957 with her husband and two children. Back in the early 1990s when plans were being drawn to extend the Riverwalk from the Grand Pavilion area to Jefferson Avenue, the Sindt family home was nestled among the trees, not far from the pond.
Jane Sindt lived in the home until her death on Christmas Eve 1995. By agreement, the land became property of the Naperville Park District and today a park district maintenance facility is there adjacent to a stone public trail that leads around the pond to the Riverwalk.
Along Jackson Avenue just past Centennial Beach is a sign “Honorary Sindt Memorial Court” where a turn south (left) leads to Sindt Woods. Sindt also is recognized for efforts to found the Naperville Heritage Society and the Fifth Avenue Farmers Market.
Every step of the way, the community is welcomed to remember the determined, remarkable woman who wore many hats!
Thanks for reading! —PN
