Itasca gets first look at Riverwalk

Itasca trustees Tuesday found out exactly how far they can stretch $1.8 million: a little more than a half mile from the intersection of Walnut Street and Irving Park Road to the new village hall at 550 W. Irving Park Road.

Designers gave trustees a sneak peek Tuesday of the first phase design concept for the Itasca Riverwalk that they will likely be voting to approve during next week's board meeting.

Patty King, of Hitchcock Design Group, described the 10-foot wide concrete path --which would start at the Irving Park and Walnut intersection and meander south and west alongside Spring Creek and behind the fire station, library and park district water park -- as "a spine or a catalyst" for future renovations to Spring Brook Nature Center and a natural connection to amenities it will run just behind.

Some introductory pieces like the paver plaza at the west entrance and the small stage and amphitheater were included in the early plans.

As the process moves into future phases, the trustees will begin to make more specific decisions about the elements that would be installed along the path as it moves west. Some of those elements will celebrate the village's heritage and others will make the riverwalk serve as an interactive art gallery featuring a walk-through arboretum.

If the full board approves the $1.8 million basic concept and layout of the concrete path riverwalk committee chairman and village Trustee Jeff Aiani said he will then ask them to approve Hitchcock's $88,900 design and management fees so the project can move forward.

Trustee Mike Latoria said he likes the design and hopes future repaving of the nature center trails would further entice residents to use the path.

"This is a great start and it looks really nice," he said. "I like it a lot."

Village President Claudia "Gigi" Gruber called Tuesday's unveiling a beginning.

"It's imperative that we don't stop here and we continue to develop this project as it evolves," Gruber said. "I'm hoping this brings back the Oktoberfest and art festivals that we used to have in town."

At the current pace, Aiani said it is likely the concrete would be poured and the basic path would be usable this year.