Riverwalk dedication ceremony to be held Friday, Nov. 5
The Naperville community is invited to join the city of Naperville and the Naperville Park District at a dedication ceremony to celebrate the completion of Segment 2 of the Riverwalk Phase I Rehabilitation Project. The ceremony will begin at 4 p.m. Friday, Nov. 5 at the Riverwalk Amphitheater, located at Jackson Avenue and Eagle Street.
The dedication ceremony will include remarks from Mayor A. George Pradel, Naperville Park District Board of Commissioners President Mike Reilly, Riverwalk Commission Chairman Rick Hitchcock and a Riverwalk Foundation representative.
Riverwalk Phase I Rehabilitation Project – Segment Two
The following improvements to Segment Two were implemented as part of the Riverwalk Phase I Rehabilitation Project:
• New Bulkhead Wall (supports the lower walkway): The deteriorated wall was replaced with a long-lasting, poured in place, textured, concrete wall system.
• Improved Lower Walkway: The lower walkway was widened from three feet to five feet and three 10- foot deep scalloped areas with convenient built-in seating were installed.
• Stairway Access: The stairs leading from the Riverwalk Amphitheater to the lower walkway were renovated.
• Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility: The pathway east of the Riverwalk Amphitheater was made ADA compliant.
• Youth Plaza: The plaza was completely redesigned.
• New Landscaping: New plants, flowers and trees were installed, making the Riverwalk even more beautiful for generations to come.
• Sidewalk Replacement and Lighting: The concrete sidewalk along Jackson Avenue was replaced with Riverwalk brick pavers and widened to seven feet with new shepherd crook lights.
No changes were made to the Riverwalk Amphitheater or Labyrinth.
Millennium Wall Reconstruction
Naperville's Millennium Wall was built in 2000 to express thanks and appreciation to those who contributed to Celebration 2000, a citywide festival held to welcome in the third millennium. After the trees behind the Millennium Wall were removed as part of the Riverwalk Rehabilitation project, it was discovered that there were some instabilities with the wall. The wall has been completely rebuilt and plaques will be installed in honor of those who donated to the original wall.
About the Riverwalk Rehabilitation Project
In 2005, an engineering study determined that the Riverwalk's bulkhead wall, originally constructed in the 1930s as a part of the federal Work Projects Administration, was in need of reconstruction. In order to maintain the stability, hospitality and appearance of Naperville's “crown jewel” for future generations, the Riverwalk Commission recommended, and the city council agreed, to replace the wall and make other improvements to the walks, landscaping and related furnishings.
The project is divided into three segments: segment one extends from Main Street to Webster Street, the second segment extends from Webster Street to Eagle Street and segment three includes the Riverwalk parking lot, located at Main Street and Jackson Avenue.
For more information on the Riverwalk, visit www.napervilleriverwalk.com. For more information on the city of Naperville, visit www.naperville.il.us. Sign up to receive the latest news on the city of Naperville's projects and initiatives via e-mail at www.naperville.il.us/enews.aspx.