Naperville rededicates renovated Riverwalk

Those who love Naperville's Riverwalk touted the slogan “for generations to come” Friday as they rededicated portions of the path that were renovated to make it more accessible and sustainable.

Groups including the city, Riverwalk Commission and Naperville Park District spent about $700,000 on improvements between Eagle Street and the covered bridge at Webster Street, including decreasing the slope of the pathway to make it more accessible, rebuilding the wall that separates land from the river and replacing sidewalks and lighting.

“We commend the city for bringing the needed improvements in accessibility to the Riverwalk,” park board President Mike Reilly said. “That's a great step forward.”

Many of the improvements didn't change the look of the Riverwalk but increased its stability and longevity, Riverwalk Commission Chairman Rick Hitchcock said.

“I'm kind of proud of the fact that when you look around, you really can't tell a lot of difference,” Hitchcock said. “All the same features are here, just a little bit more stable than in the past.”

The Millennium Wall behind the amphitheater near the intersection of Eagle Street and Jackson Avenue is one feature that was reconstructed for increased stability, Hitchcock said. While engineers were evaluating sections of the Riverwalk slated for improvements, they determined the wall was not built on a solid foundation and needed to be replaced.

Naperville residents, including Carolyn Finzer, had purchased engraved bricks to support the Millennium Wall project. Those bricks were removed during Riverwalk renovations, but all donor names will be listed on bronze plaques, which will be installed by next summer, Jeff Havel, president of the Riverwalk Foundation, said.

“We understand that's really important,” Havel said.

Finzer, 63, and a lifelong Naperville resident, said she is looking forward to seeing the names of four generations of her family listed on the new Millennium Wall and to enjoying the renovated Riverwalk.

“It was torn up for so long during the summer that it's nice to see it back to being beautiful again,” Finzer said.

Aside from these Riverwalk improvements, Hitchcock said volunteers have been working on an inventory of all Riverwalk features, alerting city council of each feature's condition and life span. Keeping the Riverwalk well maintained is the best way to maximize its recreational, cultural and environmental value to the city, Hitchcock said.

“Especially going into the recession, you might have argued there were a lot of other potholes to patch,” Hitchcock said. “We got a lot of mileage for the money that we invested and that's a fabulous thing.”