Naperville sprucing up the Riverwalk
Sorting through closets and garage clutter are part of most spring cleaning regimens.
In Naperville, sprucing up the Riverwalk is also on the annual to-do list when warm weather arrives.
The annual Riverwalk Spring Spruce-Up will go from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 17, starting at the Dandelion Fountain at Jackson Avenue and Webster Street.
Riverwalk Administrator Jan Erickson said the event is a chance to "engage the community in a worthy activity that helps the Riverwalk and beautifies the city."
Roughly 50 people pitched in last year. Tasks this weekend include picking up litter, laying mulch and planting trees.
"We really encourage the community members to come out because it's a fun thing to do with family or a scout troop or church group or because you want to get outside in nice weather," Erickson said.
The tree project will take place in Sindt Woods and is part of an effort to plant 120 trees around the city in two years to proactively replace trees expected to die from emerald ash borer disease, according to Sue Omanson, community development project manager for the Naperville Park District. The district received a $13,200 grant for the project from Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation.
Whatever the project, Erickson recommends bringing work gloves. A rake would be helpful too but is not required.
Forms will be available on site for anyone needing to log community service hours.
If it is raining or the temperature dips below 40 degrees at 8 a.m. Saturday, the cleanup will be canceled.
Naperville's Riverwalk was built in 1981 in honor of the city's 150th birthday. The amenity many call the city's crown jewel stretches 1.75 miles.
If you goWhat: Riverwalk Spring Spruce-UpWhen: 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 17Where: Dandelion Fountain on Jackson Avenue at Webster Street in NapervilleInfo: (630) 305-5984 or naperville.il.us/riverwalk.aspxFalse20001234Speading mulch is one of several ways volunteers can help Saturday during the Spring Spruce-Up of Naperville's Riverwalk.Daily Herald file photoFalse