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River recreation plans hit stumbling blocks

Canoeists and other lovers of the water may have to wait another year to drop their crafts in the Fox River in East Dundee.

Village leaders plan to create a water recreation site with a canoe rental business on their side of the Fox, but other projects and properties stand in the way.

Currently, much of the focus is on redeveloping the North River Street business district, said Robert Skala, East Dundee village administrator. After they bury overhead utility cables, rehab the former Third Street firehouse and renovate the village hall, they will turn their attention to connecting the business side of the village with pleasure.

"Eventually, we would like to tie in the bike path with the riverfront," Skala said. "We'd like to create a loop with signs directing people to the path from the river and we'd like to create a walking path along the river."

The only work that may be done on those plans this year, though, may involve cutting overgrown weeds and shrubs that block the view of the river. A few benches may be installed as well.

The village's ultimate goal is to install a boat launch between the Route 72 bridge and the footbridge that connects East and West Dundee. The site where enough land is available for the project is north of the Route 72 bridge, but a vacant storefront and the Warner & Troost Monument Co. are on the site.

Doug Banion, manager of the Warner & Troost's East Dundee office at 107 Water St., said selling the firm's property may be an option if a location near the Dundee Township Cemetery East, along Route 25 in East Dundee can be found.

"In our business, location is important in terms of customers. This business has been on this property since 1903," Banion said. "We rely on a lot of repeat family business. It's important families know where our business is and know where to go."

The company is willing to cooperate with the village as much as it can, he said.

Other hurdles stand in the way for the water recreation site and walking path, said East Dundee Village President Lael Miller. If village trustees acquire the property, they would have to decide where to start the walking path.

Two homes and a creek stand in the way of the path's creation.

"We're not going to displace anyone from their homes," he said. "This is something we're going to have to figure out."

  Through bike trails and walking paths, the village of East Dundee plans to connect its downtown business district to the riverfront. John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com, 2012
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