Maybe you've seen the Riverwalk Troll out on patrol this spring.

Maybe he's made you smile as he hit you up for a "toll" donation to the Riverwalk Foundation, which works to promote and enhance the downtown Naperville park.

Maybe seeing the troll with his wispy white hair even has conjured up memories of the little dolls with the colorful out-of-control hair that you grew up with in the 1960s or that you bought for your children in the early
'90s.

Members of the Riverwalk Foundation hope so.

The fondness of friendly good-luck trolls goes hand-in-hand with the Riverwalk, a natural setting for close encounters with favorite pals.

With friendship and fund-raising in mind, the foundation's mascot is hosting the first Riverwalk Troll Picnic June 21. The event coincides with the summer solstice and carries forward the foundation's ongoing theme, "A Riverwalk for All Seasons."

The event will feature family activities, food and entertainment, as well as the official launch of a new fund-raising campaign.

Organizers have planned a charming venue along the Riverwalk extension, from Washington Street to Hillside Road, to raise a little cash for the development of Fredenhagen Park on the site of the old Cock Robin restaurant.

The foundation has organized the Fredenhagen Park Campaign to help raise $400,000 in private donations for the $1.8 million project approved by the Naperville City Council.

Even before the campaign kick-off, pledges for the gateway park are nearing $175,000, Channell said. Residents, service organizations and corporate citizens are stepping up to give time, talents and "toll" donations to the community that provides so many opportunities for success.

Already, the Naperville Jaycees, the Naperville Junior Woman's Club, Advanced Data Technologies, MidAmerica Bank, BBM Incorporated, Chicago Fire, Joe Hudetz, Friedrich-Jones Funeral Home, Riverwalk Realtors, Barb Dwyer and Tom Greenberg have pledged their commitments to help develop the park.

The prime property was donated by Rita Harvard and Ted Fredenhagen - the heirs of Grace and Walter Fredenhagen - for the city to use as a park in memory of their parents. In 1931, Walter Fredenhagen founded Prince Castle, which later became Cock Robin Ice Cream, a popular restaurant chain known for square ice cream scoops and its slogan, "Where memories are made."

The Riverwalk Troll Picnic, which will run from 4 p.m. to twilight, will showcase plans for Fredenhagen Park.

During the summer solstice event, strolls with the Riverwalk Troll will offer a chance to learn about the future of Fredenhagen Park. Florescent paint drawings on the 1.1-acre lawn will designate where the pavilion with washrooms will be located. Sites for a fountain, arbors, plazas and a clock tower also will be marked with colorful paint.

Architectural renderings also will provide a glimpse of what the future will bring at the park, which will be a gateway to downtown and North Central College. Riverwalk commissioners and foundation members also will answer questions and lead tours of the lawn drawings in the park.

In keeping with the solstice theme, members of the Naperville Astronomical Association will set up telescopes to peek at the largest star as it shines on the longest day of the year.

Ensemble groups from the great Naperville Municipal Band are scheduled to perform in the Jaycees Gazebo.

You can join a historical march as the band's Dixie Cats parade over the Moser Bridge and along the extension to Hillside Road, allowing participants to take in the spectacular views along the winding DuPage River.

North Central College's dining service, Chartwell's, will serve up picnic dinners priced from $4 to $7 per meal. The menu includes a selection of a jumbo hot dogs, barbecue chicken, pork sandwiches and jambalaya. Each entree comes with two side dishes.

My Chef Catering will set up snacks and refreshments, including a special summer solstice punch "with a kick" for the Fredenhagen Park kick-off.

Arbor Vitae will set up its pushcart to swirl a few fruit smoothies.

It's only fitting that ice cream be served - even if it's not the Cock Robin variety.

And if all my sun dancing works, more memories will be made while strolling with the Riverwalk Troll at the future site of Fredenhagen Park June 21.

• Stephanie Penick writes about Naperville and is a founding member of the Riverwalk Foundation. You can contact her via e-mail at spennydh@aol.com